Buckeyes Meet with Media on Final Day of 2007 Big Ten Kickoff Event – Ohio State Buckeyes
8/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
CHICAGO – Jim Tressel, Ohio State head coach, and Kirk Barton, senior tackle, Marcus Freeman, junior linebacker, and Vernon Gholston, junior defensive end, participated in the second and last day of the 2007 Big Ten Football Kickoff Event Wednesday. Tressel and the three Buckeyes met with media in the morning before signing autographs for fans and attending the kickoff luncheon.
Marcus Freeman, junior linebacker
On attending the 2007 Big Ten Kickoff Event
“I think it was great just being there with the other players from the Big Ten. We don’t get a chance to get to know the other guys when we see them on Saturdays. I did reconnect with a few guys I played against in high school in Dayton, or in all-star games. There are some really interesting guys playing in this league, but none quite as unique as (my teammate) Kirk Barton.” On his visit to Chicago
“In our free time Tuesday evening, Vernon (Gholston) and I walked all around the city and that was fun, just seeing all the people and all the downtown. It was really the first chance I had to visit Chicago.”
Vernon Gholston, junior defensive end
On his experience at the Big Ten kickoff function
“We got a lot of questions from the media on how our defense will be this year, and how hard we worked this summer, but of course, none of that will really tell until we get into practice and the season. I thought it was nice to meet all the coaches in person, and it was good to talk to some of the players from the other schools. We just talked about what everybody has been doing this summer, vacations and workouts and all.”
Kirk Barton, senior offensive tackle
On his experience at the Big Ten kickoff function
“This was a good trip. Shooting the public service commercial for the Big Ten was interesting, and I talked to a lot of media during two days. I think one time there were 10 tape recorders lined up in front of me on the table. The question I think I got the most was, How do you earn a Buckeye Leaf?’ I think it’s because of the stickers on the front of the new yearbook (media guide).”
On his visit to Chicago
“The best thing for me was that I got to go to a game at Wrigley Field; one of my former roommate’s families has tickets. The weather was great and the Cubs won, which made it perfect.”
