Amy and Luke Fickell with Ashton, Luca, Landon and Aydon Photo courtesy: Ohio state athletics
season, we get to see him on Thursday nights. Sometimes during the season we try to sneak down to practice on Wednesday nights. The kids love it. CS: Any game day traditions? AF: Usually the kids and I drive him to The Blackwell (hotel on campus) and drop him off. And after the game, it is my favorite point in time during the day: The kids and I wait and go onto the field with him and sing “Carmen Ohio” with the band. It’s fun to see the kids get to be part of it. My husband previously coached linebackers, so my kids thought the linebackers were their friends.
CS: Has Ellen Tressel—or any other coach’s wife—given you pointers? AF: I’ve talked to Ellen a few times. I’ve talked to Barb (wife of Ohio State men’s basketball coach Thad Matta) a few times. Ellen just said, “You will feel overwhelmed at times, and that is very normal.” Barb has been great with advice about the kids. I’ve also talked with my friend Becky Dantonio. Her husband was previously the defensive coordinator here, and now he’s the head coach at Michigan State. He had some health issues, so she said, “Just take care of him. Help him with stress. And just enjoy it.”
“She’s very kindhearted. She’s nice. She’s obviously very family-oriented.” Jennifer MacDonald, Amy’s sister
Quick Takes: Favorites Restaurant Lucé—that’s our go-to.
Movie
I love “Hitch.” I’m a very lighthearted movie person. I like a little bit of romance. I don’t like anything sad. I don’t like anything violent. And I don’t like anything with really bad language.
TV Show
We watch “Extreme Home Makeover.” The kids like that. Then I’ll put them to bed and put on “Desperate Housewives.”
Magazine People
Book
I have a book that I did a study on called “Bringing up Geeks.” I do believe instead of Lamaze
they should require every parent or future parent to read this!
Store
Nordstrom, Von Maur, White House Black Market and Target
Accessory
A cross necklace from Luke. Other than that, I always try to put a red belt with something to make it scarlet and gray.
Cause
Luke has the 2nd & 7 Foundation (created in conjunction with his OSU teammates Mike Vrabel and Ryan Miller). Their motto is to tackle illiteracy. It initially started in second grades in seven Columbus public schools. Now, it’s a nationwide program.
September/October 2011 Capital-Style.com
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