Irving Schottenstein Drive Unveiled – Ohio State Buckeyes
8/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | General
COLUMBUS, Ohio The Ohio State department of athletics honored a longtime friend and supporter Friday with the unveiling of Irving Schottenstein Drive, located north of the newly renovated Woody Hayes Athletics Center.
Irving Schottenstein, who passed away in 2004, was the co-founder of M/I Homes, Inc., a Columbus-based company and one of the most prominent home building companies in the country. Following his death, the M/I Homes Foundation made a substantial contribution to The Ohio State University and its athletics programs, supporting the WHAC remodeling project.
Gene Smith, Ohio State director of athletics, and Jim Tressel, Ohio State football head coach, led the unveiling ceremony.
“I would like to thank you for your support of this project and all the many contributions the Schottenstein family and the M/I Homes Foundation have provided to this university,” Smith said.
Tressel furthered those sentiments
“The energy and passion this family and foundation have given to this university and its athletics department is second to none,” Tressel, now in his seventh season at Ohio State, said. “Now 365 days a year, when we drive into this wonderful facility, we’ll be reminded of the resources and love that went into it.”
The M/I Homes Foundation also played a major role in the Ohio Stadium renovation project, completed in 2001, by sponsoring the Varsity “O” Club and the Buckeye All-American Grove.
Two of Irving Schottenstein’s sons, Gary and Bob, spoke at the ceremony Friday and expressed gratitude toward the street naming dedicated to their father.
“On behalf of our family, I want to thank the Ohio State University, in particular the athletic dept. headed by Gene Smith,for providing us this privilege to honor and remember our beloved father and grandfather of blessed memory”, Gary, Chairman/CEO of Schottenstein Real Estate Group and past member of M/I Homes Foundation board, said.
Bob, M/I Homes Inc. chief executive officer and president, looks forward to furthering the relationship between his family, the foundation and Ohio State.
“The M/I Homes Foundation is honored to support Ohio State athletics, as we are the entire university in a broad perspective,” Bob said. “We look forward to continuing our association and support with this great public institution.”
