I did not know, or remember, that you are a fellow Buckeye. I was born and grew up about 80 milles west of Columbus near the border with Indiana. OSU football every Fall was in the air as much or more than the smell of burning leaves and the air of those crisp Fall days. I went to Miami, my brother went to Ohio State. I remember Woody Hayes. At a distance, I saw him as somewhat of a tyrant and would not wanted to play for him. He served as the head football coach at Denison University from 1946 to 1948, Miami University in Oxford, Ohio from 1949 to 1950, and Ohio State University from 1951 to 1978, compiling a career college football coaching record of 238–72–10. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1983. During his 28 seasons as the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes football program, Hayes' teams were recognized five times by NCAA consensus selectors as national champions (1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 1970).
My football days were limited to high school where we had an undefeated team my senior year and here's an interesting fact. All 11 starters went on beyond 4 years of college to get graduate degrees in a variety of fields. We may not have been the biggest or fastest team but we were well-coached and found ways to outwit our opponents. I was recruited to play at the college level but did not find that at all appealing. I may have to write more about a philosophy of coaching. At one point in one of my four careers I served as an assistant football coach for another high school team. It was an adjunct to my main role as teacher and department head, another story for another time.
I love this essay! It gives me a new perspective on letting go and a different way to experience my football teams. It crossed my mind the other morning, but I failed to speak it. I thought of asking you about your thoughts or excitement for your fellow Buckeye, C.J. Stroud’s rise happening in the NFL? Although my oldest is a Buff, he loves players from Ohio State for our fantasy football teams. My cousin also has experience with the I Ching. So, I shared your piece with my game-enthused family. I’m looking forward to hearing what they connect with from your post!
Love C.J. Stroud for the depth of person he is. Are you familiar with his story, how his father was imprisoned for years? His story of forgiveness is very, very powerful.
One of the things I’ve come to really appreciate about you, your thinking, and your writing is how well you integrate, seamlessly, the Eastern teachings into our everyday lives. Here, even football. Having both played and coached the game, I resonate strongly with today’s themes. Not to get overly dramatic, but there is a special kind of bond, if the team is coached well, that forms among the players on a football team. Kenny Chesney captures this so well in his song “The Boys of Fall.” So many great memories of that time in my life—I now wonder, had I then been a student of The Tao, and disciple of the Eastern sages, how my life, and my life as a player and coach would have been different. It’s just a wonder, not a regret. You and I both love Phil Jackson’s book “Sacred Hoops.” So when I wonder all over again, I pick that book up as a wonderful reminder. Thanks for today’s message Diamond-Michael—even as it does come from a Buckeye.
hehe. love this. I've been reading and studying the iching for 12 years. it's such an incredible wealth of beauty, balance, wisdom... didn't know how you were gonna merge football and taoism. lol. but you did it. I grew up in PA but my brother lives in Ohio now.
he's in columbus. but he will die a pitt fan. my dad grew up in western PA. but I was raised in Lancaster in eastern PA. I distanced my self a few thousand miles though.
I’m a fan of football and live outside Cleveland, although I’m not an Ohio State fan. Not that you need to know any of that, just wanted to say that I loved this essay! Just brilliant!
Hey Kert. All of this has been quite a journey. I’m not sure where these “Chocolate Taoist” musings are ultimately headed but it has sure been a fun ride.
I did not know, or remember, that you are a fellow Buckeye. I was born and grew up about 80 milles west of Columbus near the border with Indiana. OSU football every Fall was in the air as much or more than the smell of burning leaves and the air of those crisp Fall days. I went to Miami, my brother went to Ohio State. I remember Woody Hayes. At a distance, I saw him as somewhat of a tyrant and would not wanted to play for him. He served as the head football coach at Denison University from 1946 to 1948, Miami University in Oxford, Ohio from 1949 to 1950, and Ohio State University from 1951 to 1978, compiling a career college football coaching record of 238–72–10. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1983. During his 28 seasons as the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes football program, Hayes' teams were recognized five times by NCAA consensus selectors as national champions (1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 1970).
My football days were limited to high school where we had an undefeated team my senior year and here's an interesting fact. All 11 starters went on beyond 4 years of college to get graduate degrees in a variety of fields. We may not have been the biggest or fastest team but we were well-coached and found ways to outwit our opponents. I was recruited to play at the college level but did not find that at all appealing. I may have to write more about a philosophy of coaching. At one point in one of my four careers I served as an assistant football coach for another high school team. It was an adjunct to my main role as teacher and department head, another story for another time.
Great memories for sure. Woody was my commencement speaker in the Spring of 1986.
I love this essay! It gives me a new perspective on letting go and a different way to experience my football teams. It crossed my mind the other morning, but I failed to speak it. I thought of asking you about your thoughts or excitement for your fellow Buckeye, C.J. Stroud’s rise happening in the NFL? Although my oldest is a Buff, he loves players from Ohio State for our fantasy football teams. My cousin also has experience with the I Ching. So, I shared your piece with my game-enthused family. I’m looking forward to hearing what they connect with from your post!
Love C.J. Stroud for the depth of person he is. Are you familiar with his story, how his father was imprisoned for years? His story of forgiveness is very, very powerful.
No, I’m not. I will definitely find it. I’d love to learn more about it.
Just sent you a DM link to the Sports Illustrated article. It’s very powerful.
One of the things I’ve come to really appreciate about you, your thinking, and your writing is how well you integrate, seamlessly, the Eastern teachings into our everyday lives. Here, even football. Having both played and coached the game, I resonate strongly with today’s themes. Not to get overly dramatic, but there is a special kind of bond, if the team is coached well, that forms among the players on a football team. Kenny Chesney captures this so well in his song “The Boys of Fall.” So many great memories of that time in my life—I now wonder, had I then been a student of The Tao, and disciple of the Eastern sages, how my life, and my life as a player and coach would have been different. It’s just a wonder, not a regret. You and I both love Phil Jackson’s book “Sacred Hoops.” So when I wonder all over again, I pick that book up as a wonderful reminder. Thanks for today’s message Diamond-Michael—even as it does come from a Buckeye.
hehe. love this. I've been reading and studying the iching for 12 years. it's such an incredible wealth of beauty, balance, wisdom... didn't know how you were gonna merge football and taoism. lol. but you did it. I grew up in PA but my brother lives in Ohio now.
HA! Where in Ohio does your brother live?
he's in columbus. but he will die a pitt fan. my dad grew up in western PA. but I was raised in Lancaster in eastern PA. I distanced my self a few thousand miles though.
I’m a fan of football and live outside Cleveland, although I’m not an Ohio State fan. Not that you need to know any of that, just wanted to say that I loved this essay! Just brilliant!
Thanks you Susan
Hey Kert. All of this has been quite a journey. I’m not sure where these “Chocolate Taoist” musings are ultimately headed but it has sure been a fun ride.