Spring is in the Air at the 2011 Alumni Club Gala!

Buckeyes young and old gathered once again for the annual Spring Gala on Tuesday May 24th at the Bistro off Broadway in downtown Greenville. It was a delicious evening of Buckeye camaraderie and celebration of our 2011 Scholarship Recipients and we were proud to have nearly 40 students, parents, and alumni and friends in attendance.

Our guest speaker was Vladimir Nazlymov who is Ohio State's National Championship Winning (and former Soviet Gold Medalist!) Fencing Coach. The scholarship award winners were humored by Coach Nazlymov's invitation to the already free Fencing matches and for his perspective on coming to America after his upbringing in the former Soviet Union.

Enjoy some candids from the evening!

-Scott '05

Sam and Toni Custer introduce Scholarship
Winner Mark Albright of Arcanum

Vladimir Nazlymov, OSU Fencing Coach

Eric Brand (now Past President), Vladimir Nazlymov,
J Ken McCoy (Current OSUAC of Darke President)

Bill shows off his Silent Auction purchase to Ken

(L-R) Toni , Kelly , Travis, Sam 

James chats up the Scholarship Recipients and Family

Taylor and Family

Marv & James O.

(L-R) Cathy Baker, Dick Brooks, Carmen 

Congratulations to Our 2011 Scholarship Recipients!

Through generous financial giving of Darke Buckeyes past and present, service, and fundraising, the Alumni Club was once again able to award the brightest and best graduating Seniors from Darke County high schools with academic scholarships for the 2011-12 academic year. Four prospective students were selected by a panel of interviewers to receive a scholarship that this year resulted in an $1,823 per student award.

(L-R) Taylor Piel (Arc HS), Nicole Williams (Ans HS),
Blake Williams (Vers HS), Mark Albright (Arc HS)

This year our four recipients were Mark Albright of Arcanum, Blake Williams of Versailles, Nicole Williams of Ansonia, and Taylor Piel of Arcanum. Mark Albright of Arcanum plans on going to Pharmaceutical School and trying out for the TBDBITL as a drummer. Blake Williams of Versailles plans on entering the Honors program for Computer Engineering. Nicole Williams of Ansonia High School (with Alumni Parents of Pat and Rhonda Williams) plans on entering the Honors Program for International Studies. Lastly, Taylor Piel of Arcanum is planning on entering the Honors Program for Physics but also plans on furthering her education into Dentistry/Orthodontics.

We are very proud of our local high schools and are thankful to be able to honor Darke's finest.

Congrats to Mark, Blake, Nicole and Taylor!

Scott '05

Reminder! Spring Gala is Set for Tuesday May 24th!

Vladimir Nazlymov

Greetings Local Buckeyes! I would like to take the time to thank the 23 club members that have RSVP'ed thus far to this year's Spring Gala. It is going to be a night of delicious food, great camaraderie and a powerful message.

The event is sponsored by the Ohio State Alumni Club of Darke County but the event is open to anyone that loves the Buckeyes. As a reminder, this year's speaker is National Championship Winning Fencing Coach Vladimir Nazlymov. 


For those that would like to read more about Vladimir, click here to read his biography courtesy of wikipedia.org.

As a reminder, The Gala is going to be held on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 and will be held at the Bistro Off Broadway located at 117 E. 5th Street in Greenville. The festivities will kickoff at 7:00 PM and the evening will include Door Prizes, a Silent Auction, Food and Drink (cash bar available), Awarding of 2011 Academic Scholarships and a Presentation by Guest Speaker Vladimir Nazlymov.

Few speakers from the University are as loved and respected as Vladimir Nazlymov, OSU's Fencing Coach. A three-time Soviet Olympic Gold Medalist, Vladimir has led the Buckeyes to two National Championships and has produced many All-Americans and three Individual National Champions.

Tickets are $18 for members of the Darke County OSU Alumni Club, $21 for non-members and includes a hors d'oeuvres/buffet dinner, with a cash bar available.

To RSVP, please contact Scott '05 at (937) 548-7434 email Scott '05 at osuacofdarke@gmail.com.

Monday Morning Quarterbacking the 2003 Fiesta Bowl

Good Evening Buckeyes!

I wanted to share a memory from my college years and frankly, a memory of the greatest OSU game of the past 40 years. I wrote this blog originally in November of 2009 and posted it on my personal blog. I thought it was a fun memory that I'm sure others will be able to relate.

This morning I found myself in the same position as every Monday and Tuesday morning: commenting and reflecting on the football game I watched the night before. This morning had a unique twist to the conversation as I was second-guessing and analyzing the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, a game that was played over 8 years ago. I pulled my DVD of the uncut broadcast out of the dust of the DVD shelf to remember the greatest OSU victory of my lifetime. As confused as my colleauges were, they were a little more animated and excited than I expected them to be while recollecting the game as well. 

Some observations....

1) The first quarter belonged to Miami. After watching the first quarter, I was wondering how the Bucks would pull the game out. Maurice Clarett was getting shut down on the run, the passing game was careless (but came up big later in the game when it needed to), and Miami was constructing some solid ball movement down the field. 

2) The turning point of the game was undoubtedly the Dorsey interceptions. The only advantage Ohio State had over Miami in the first quarter was that they picked off Dorsey and had multiple sacks. I believe the stat going into the game was that Dorsey had only been sacked 4 times all season. The Buckeyes laid him on the ground at least twice on the opening drive.

3) The biggest play of the game was the Sean Taylor Interception turned Maurice Clarett ball strip. The Buckeyes for five seconds seemingly made a huge blunder that would have allowed them to possibly put away the Hurricanes early when Craig Krenzel had an errant pass intercepted in the endzone in the third quarter. The score was Bucks 14, Miami 7 at the time. Sean Taylor of the Hurricanes, looking to make a big play, decided to attempt to return the ball out of the end zone for a big gain. Maurice Clarett, having the greatest moment of his life, made a huge play by stripping the ball from the arms of Taylor on the return. The play set up a Mike Nugent field goal, which put the Buckeyes up 17 to 7. 


4) The Bucks defense was the star of the game, but Craig Krenzel was awesome when he needed to be. Not to take away credit from Michael Jenkins, who was an underrated and oft forgotten hero of that Buckeyes team and of that game, but Krenzel brought both a legitimate pass threat and a great running attack. His efforts reminded of a Rex Kern-like performance. He completed only 7 of his 21 passes, and was intercepted twice. However, he ran the ball 19 times for 81 yards and two scores. In addition, he took a beating from the Hurricane defense. The pass to Jenkins on 4th and 14 in the 1st overtime to keep the drive alive was something that did not surprise Buckeyes fans...he had been coming up big like that all season long. If anyone ever forgets why Craig Krenzel was a hero to Ohio State sports history, look no further than this game. 

5) Maurice Clarett: before his troubles and exile from the Bucks, he legitimately was a game-changing player for the 2002 Ohio State Buckeyes team. His performance in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl was most memorable as the decoy that set up Craig Krenzel, ball running hero. 

6) The infamous "Pass Interference" call in the first overtime was perhaps incorrect. However, if it was incorrect, it made up for the missed call of "holding" on the Miami defender that was mugging Chris Gamble on his way to the pass. Either call would have given the Buckeyes a first down. I think that sports nation has recognized this, that's why it is a forgotten moment in BCS history.

That wraps up my "Monday Morning Quarterback" commentary. Look for the 2007 BCS National Championship commentary sometime in 2015. Better yet, maybe not. I watched that game when it was originally aired....NOT...SO...GOOD.

Have a memory of this game? please share by leaving a comment!



Go Bucks!

Scott '05

High School Campus Visit Declared a Success!

Thirty-four Darke County high school students from six of our county high schools traveled to The Ohio State University for a campus tour on May 3rd.  This was the 12th annual tour sponsored by the OSU Alumni Club of Darke County.  The tour began with a campus overview provided by an Admissions Counselor.  Information about majors, courses of study, activities, work-study programs, costs and scholarships were provided as well as student life and what it is like to be a Buckeye.  The students were divided into three groups for an hour and a half walking tour of campus, led by student ambassadors.  The three groups met together for lunch at Baker Commons, one of the campus dining halls.  

The OSU Alumni Club of Darke County wishes to provide our County high school students an opportunity to see first hand the excitement and opportunities that Ohio State has to offer.  We had a great group of students attend our trip on May 3rd and we look forward to providing the opportunity again next year.

A big THANKS to Janelle Brinksneader for the write-up and to everyone that helped once again make the trip a success!  

Scott '05

Aloha! A Warm O-H to the OSU Alumni Club of Hawaii!

I made a social connection today with Tom who is the Treasurer of the Ohio State Alumni Club of Hawaii. We shared our love of the Buckeyes despite being thousands of miles apart and having the Pacific Ocean between us. We discussed our club's websites and I promised to share his link with the club as who wouldn't want to see Buckeye Pride Waikiki style? To check out the webpage for the OSU Alumni Club of Hawaii, click this link:


Ohio State University Alumni Club of Hawaii

Tom informed me that the club has some 'killer' Hawaiian shirts that the club sells, with a different design yearly. Personally, I could see a couple of our club members warming up to these for golf season....

He noted that there are a few size Large and size XL of the previous versions from 2010 as well.


He said that if anyone is going to be visiting Waikiki during football season, be sure to join one of their game watches. There will be no sleeping in for those Noon Game Days.....those games start at 6 AM in Hawaii!
To visitors from our 50th and last (but not least!) state, Welcome!


Singing Ohio's Praise,
Scott '05


EDIT: We have a comment to add from one the Hawaii Alumni Club's own, Michael:
We thank you for the attention you pay to our club waaaaay far awaaaay. Anyhow, we have some remaining aloha shirts in the older pattern (same style) but only XLs at $30 ea., including postage. The newer pattern (shown above) is available in XS, S, M, L, XL and XXL (men's sizes, they run right on the size and they don't shrink), including postage. Visit our website (search "ohio state alumni, Hawaii" for more info. Our shirts are highest quality, have the alumni assoc. logo on them (not shown above) and everyone loves them. Aloha all, and i mua Buckeyes!

Miscellaneous News, Rumors etc.

Good Evening, Buckeyes!

Mailers going out this Week

A double-sided membership/gala form will be mailed out this week to current and past members from the last three years (2008-09 to 2010-11). The form is simply a request to renew club dues or re-join us, a pre-registration for the Spring Gala (May 24!), and also is an invitation to visit this blog for a copy of the digital newsletter which can also be viewed by clicking here. At this point, we are waiting on a list from the Alumni Association to help us bring in some new club members. If anyone knows of someone that may be interested in joining the club or attending our gala, please let me know a name and address and I will gladly mail out a newsletter and/or membership enrollment form.

Club Elections to be held at Spring Banquet
I thought I would pass along an update as I failed to mention the news in the newsletter. This year's alumni banquet also will have its biannual elections for officer positions. As most of you know, in addition to my new tasks of being a blogger and newsletter writer/editor, I have served as the Club's Treasurer the past two years. I have put the club 'on notice' since December of 2010 that I would not continue the role of Treasurer after elections. Therefore, if you are interested or know somebody that might be interested in taking over the Club's Treasurer post, please let me know at osuacofdarke@gmail.com and I will forward to the Club's Board for consideration.

Dr. Gee coming to Darke County?
I do not have any details or confirmations but there is rumor that OSU President Dr. E. Gordon Gee will be visiting Darke County in the near future. While details are sketchy, the news I heard had his visit pegged for early June. As details emerge and are confirmed, I will report them.....if anyone can confirm or deny this news, please provide me details at osuacofdarke@gmail.com.

Singing Ohio's Praise,

Scott '05