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From bean to cup: A behind-the-scenes look at Stauf’s Coffee’s roasting process
Samantha Harden Former Arts & Life Editor
This story was originally published October 17, 2024 in the Lantern’s Best of OSU edition. The Lantern’s “Best of OSU” polling was conducted via social media and should not be considered statistically representative of Ohio State’s extended student body.
It looked like a mechanic’s garage, with two large garage doors that sat open, allowing the fall breeze to waft inside — and yet, it still smelled of coffee.
A row of large trash bins lined the lofty warehouse’s interior side, but rather than garbage, each was filled to the brim with roasted coffee beans. Down the center of the warehouse was a wide aisle lined with palette upon palette of tan burlap bags, all painted with brightly colored tropical birds and stamped with the names of different countries like Guatemala, Congo or Ethiopia.
The garage — located at 112 S. Glenwood Ave. — is the home of
Stauf’s Coffee’s main roastery, where head roaster Tommy Goetz said he has been roasting coffee for the company for over 20 years.
Goetz said after graduating from Ohio State, he began looking for job opportunities and decided to work as a manager at Stauf’s in the meantime. Little did he know, the coffee company would set him on a career path he’d never want to stray from.
After working as a manager for a few years, Goetz said upper management asked if he wanted to roast coffee for a living, to which he quickly responded yes.
“I have a passion for coffee. There’s always something to learn about it, especially with what they’re doing with coffee these days,” Goetz said. “I mean, what a gift; I get to do what I love, and, actually, I don’t think I could ever leave because I’d probably go through major withdrawal.”
Even after two decades, Goetz said the job — and the coffee — never gets
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morning, when I come in, my mouth still salivates,” Goetz said. “It’s like one of those memory things that is just like, ‘Oh my gosh, that smells so good.’”
After his morning cup of coffee, Goetz said it’s right to work. The roasting process begins when Goetz dumps unroasted beans into the metal funnel at the top of the Probat — a large machine consisting of a coffee roaster, convection oven and dryer. Of the three Probats Stauf’s has in its facility, the machines are capable of holding 5, 12 and 40 kilograms of beans, respectively.
Goetz said one of Stauf’s most distinct qualities is the wide range of beverages it offers to customers, sourcing beans from nearly 30 different regions around the world, such as Brazil, Sumatra, Java, Guatemala, Ethiopia and more.
“If they grow coffee there, there is
a chance that we have had it at one point,” Goetz said. “That is what makes us a little different from other roasteries, is that we have a large variety to choose from, which also keeps me on my toes.”
Once the beans are loaded into the Probat’s drum, or main roasting oven, Goetz said they are left to roast for between 10-20 minutes.
“It’s [a process] called pyrolysis,” Goetz said. “The beans go in at a certain temperature and they roast for a certain amount of time depending on what kind of bean it is, what we want to do with it and what’s our atmosphere like. Is it a cold, dry day or a hot, humid day? That actually affects how the coffee roasts because there’s moisture in the air, and coffee is a magnet for moisture.”
STAUF’S continues on page 11.
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What’s Up: A guide to Welcome Week events for incoming Buckeyes
Helena Hennessy Arts & Life Senior Writer
For incoming first-year students, Ohio State will be hosting a variety of events throughout Welcome Week — campus’ celebration of thousands of new Buckeyes.
Welcome Week for the ‘25-‘26 academic year will take place from Sunday, Aug. 24th through the following Sunday, Aug. 31st. Read on to learn more about varying experience and information based events.
Buckeye Kickoff (Ohio Stadium)
This annual event in the ‘Shoe is open to all students but is primarily catered towards incoming first-years. Buckeye Kickoff is a true celebration of Ohio State’s renowned Buckeye pride and spirit. From 4:30-7 p.m., the event will host notable speakers, teach students Ohio State’s signature cheers, hold live performances and more. The University Marching Band will make its opening appearance, performing a selection of their most notable songs. As the event concludes, students will take over the stadium’s field — using the opportunity to take photos and celebrate with their peers.
Admission is free upon presentation of a valid BuckID and doors to the stadium will open at 5:15 p.m. At time of writing, the date for Buckeye Kickoff has yet to be announced. Visit Ohio State’s Welcome Week website for event details.
Friday,
Aug.
22nd:
Silent Disco (Newport Music Hall)
Located on High St., directly across from the Ohio Union, Newport Music Hall will host the first event of Welcome Week to celebrate students’ arrival to campus — their annual Silent Disco. Attendees will be provided with a set of headphones upon arrival to participate in an evening of song and dance. Participants are encouraged to sing their hearts out, as the soundtrack of the night will be played through synced noise-cancelling headphones, rather than traditional large-scale speakers.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the event will run from 7-10 p.m. Admission is free upon presentation of a valid BuckID.
Saturday, Aug. 23rd:
WestFest
(Lincoln Tower Fields & Women’s Field House)
This Welcome Week event will serve as a celebratory commencement of the week’s campus-based festivities. While the event is most accessible for residents of Morrill Tower and Lincoln Tower, it is open to all students. There will be a variety of vendors, community activities and entertainment acts present at the festival, such as field games, caricature and balloon artists, popcorn and cotton candy stands, Kona Ice and music.
Sunday, Aug. 24th:
Student Involvement Fair (South Oval & Main Oval)
First year students are encouraged to attend campus’ annual Involvement Fair to gain relevant information on student organizations. From 4-7 p.m., over 800 student-founded campus organizations, campus departments, and local nonprofits will line the South and Main Ovals with individual booths. Student representatives will actively engage with first years and provide information on ways to get involved across campus. Many clubs also hand out flyers and free goodies at their booths. Some organizations even allow students to directly enroll by simply providing their student email address.
The student organizations will be grouped in their respective categories, such as academic, community service, special interest and more. Maps of the fair layout will be provided to students upon entrance.
Monday, Aug. 25th:
Convocation (Schottenstein Center)
This signature event serves as first year students’ official welcome to the university. Hosted at the Schottenstein Center, students will hear from renowned university leaders and spokespeople, seasoned faculty, administrators and other special guests. This is where new students will be formally introduced to time-honored university traditions. Convocation is a special event as it is the only time that the entire class of 2029 is invited to gather together until graduation.
Buck-i-Frenzy (Recreation and Physical Activity Center)
Held in and around the RPAC from noon-3:30 p.m., Buck-i-Frenzy is a fun-filled event that offers unique opportunities for students to learn more about local and national companies. This lifestyle festival will provide the chance to interact with a variety of vendors — many of whom will be providing free food and drink samples — as well as complimentary merchandise and coupons.
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A deeper look into how your favorite coffee is made
Continued from page 7.
Goetz said when beans are in the Probat’s drum, their sugars, fats and proteins begin to break down, producing carbon dioxide — a process that brings the beans to what roasters call “the first crack.”
“You’ll actually hear it. It sounds like popcorn in the actual drum, and that is usually a good tell of where we are at time-wise and temperature-wise,” Goetz said. “It tells us if we need to slow down the process or if we need to hurry up the process.”
Goetz subsequently pulls and twists on a small knob, also known as a trier, on the face of the Probat. A small tube filled with a handful of coffee beans comes from the lever, which Goetz said he looks at from time to time throughout the roasting process.
“What this is showing me is what the coffee is doing in the machine,” Goetz said. “It’s so that I don’t have to stick my head in there; it just shows me a little sample of what is going down.”
Following the first crack, Goetz must make a decision. He said taking the beans out of the drum to cool immediately after the first crack results in a light roast coffee, but leaving them for longer will create a medium or dark roast coffee.
“After the first crack, after the sugars are done caramelizing, they’ll start to carbonize. What that means is they’re going to break down more and produce more carbon dioxide, and in doing so, you’re going to hear a second crack.
are making pour overs, you are tasting that coffee, you’re sipping on it, just trying to pick up on flavor notes and smells and pinpoint what you can learn about them. Then, you try and match it back to the country or roast that it came from,” Hunt said. “Because we do that, we get to know each coffee bean individually, and they’re all pretty unique, so it is easy to pick apart which coffees you’re tasting, which is fun.”
Olivia Balcerzak, who worked as a Stauf’s barista from 2016 to 2021 before becoming the company’s social media manager, said the importance of learning about coffee goes beyond learning beans’ specific flavor profiles.
Columbus, so it isn’t that Stauf’s is the only one doing that in Columbus by any means. Columbus has a really good coffee scene,” Balcerzak said. “To us, the thing that is so special is the reach, which I think in part is due to how long we’ve been around and how much nostalgia is tied to different locations.”
Despite its community-oriented approach to coffee, Balcerzak said the company has expanded to allow customers to purchase coffee beans online and have them shipped across the country.
Because the carbon dioxide has nowhere to go, it is going to shoot out of the surface of the actual bean itself,” Goetz said. “Depending again on what kind of coffee it is and what we’re doing with it, we will either kill the heat and drop it and we’re done, or we let it continue.”
Once the decision has been made and the beans are finished roasting, Goetz said he lifts the lid on the oven, causing the beans to spill out of the main drum and into the cooling tray, which rapidly chills the beans.
“Even though it is done roasting, we need to let it sit because we kind of screwed them up molecularly, so the sugars, fats and proteins have to go back together,” Goetz said. “If we drank this right now, we’d have a flat, gassy cup of coffee. It would just taste like nothing.”
After four minutes in the cooling tray, Goetz said the beans sit in the facility for at least three days before being packaged and distributed to Stauf’s retail storefronts, online customers or one of the nearly 300 wholesale accounts that purchase coffee from Stauf’s, including food-and-beverage establishments like La Chatelaine, Jackie O’s, BrewDog and more.
Emma Hunt, a barista at Stauf’s Grandview Heights location, said her work begins once the beans are delivered to the store. She said each barista is extensively trained on the types of beans and roasts the store sells in order to be able to help customers pick out the right coffee for their individual taste.
“Throughout your training when you
“I think it’s really important that we know the story behind the coffee, why we chose to get it from that location and the uniqueness that comes with it,” Balcerzak said. “I know we carry a lot of Guatemalan and Ethiopian coffee, and our roaster and our owner have gone to those farms and met those individuals, and I think the fact that they share that with us and we’re able to share that with others is really cool. It not only gives context to the coffee, but it also gives credit where credit is due, and I think that has always been really important to Stauf’s as a brand.”
Balcerzak said though Stauf’s isn’t the only Columbus coffee shop to roast its beans in Columbus, it has still become a mainstay of the city’s coffee scene — being voted the “Best Cup of Coffee” by The Lantern’s readers during 2024’s “Best of OSU” polling.
“There are a lot of really good roasteries and really good coffee shops in
“People continue ordering our beans and getting them shipped out to Florida and California because that’s the coffee that got them through college or got them through their first kid,” Balcerzak said. “For us, being around for so many years gets you so many people who keep coming back.”
In order to keep up with the demand Stauf’s Coffee receives in Columbus and around the country, Goetz said he and his roasting partner Rich Benson roast roughly a half-ton of coffee beans every day.
“We definitely work a lot because of the amount of coffee that we have to produce,” Goetz said. “We’re kind of a staple of coffee in Columbus. We’re very consistent in what we do, and I think that’s what people appreciate about us. You know what you order from us, what you’re going to get.”
More information about Stauf’s Coffee, including hours for each location and how to place online orders, can be found on its website.
Stauf’s Coffee head roaster Tommy Goetz checks on coffee beans roasting in one of the three Probat coffee roasting ovens at Stauf’s main roastery, located at 112 S. Glenwood Ave.
SAMANTHA HARDEN | FORMER ARTS & LIFE EDITOR
SAMANTHA HARDEN | FORMER ARTS & LIFE EDITOR
Stauf’s Coffee main roastery, located at 112 S. Glenwood Ave., which produces nearly half a ton of coffee each day for Stauf’s Coffee retail stores, wholesale accounts and online orders.
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Our hands-on entrepreneurship programs and classes are here to help you turn those ideas into reality.
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Join a community of innovators, creators, and future founders. This is where your ideas grow.
Come see us at the Student Involvement Fair on August 24th!
Back in Theaters: Columbus’s local film and performing arts theaters
Grayson Newbourn
Managing Arts & Life Editor
Film buffs looking for something more than Nicole Kidman’s AMC Theatres commercial or theater fans looking to branch out from Hamilton — look no further. Columbus, an ever-growing cultural hub for the arts, has something for everyone. Cinephiles, musical theater fans or just someone looking for a fun night out can take to Columbus’s local theaters and performing arts centers to kick back and enjoy a show.
The city has several local movie theaters great for late-night screams, first dates and overly expensive popcorn. Read on to learn more about the big screens Columbus has to offer.
Gateway Film Center (1550 N. High St.)
Offering both blockbuster and independent films, Gateway Film Center has screenings for fans of any genre. The locally-owned theater also hosts annual events, such as Hitchcocktober — an annual series of screenings through October showcasing Alfred Hitchcock’s films — and the Cinema Columbus film festival, an annual independent film festival featuring documentary, narrative and short films.
The theater sells alcoholic beverages, soda, popcorn and artisan snacks at the concession stand, according to the center’s website. It’s within walking distance from campus and students can go through DTix, Ohio State’s discount ticket program, to purchase tickets for $3.
Studio 35 (3055 Indianola Ave.)
Studio 35 is a family-owned, local theater in Clintonville. Aside from showing recent releases, cult classics and indie films, this movie theater is also a drafthouse with a full bar and in-house pizza kitchen. Studio 35 also owns the Grandview Theater in Grandview Heights.
Additionally, the studio is known for holding showings of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” a cult-classic film that became an interactive screening experience — guests often dress up, yell at the screen, throw props and act out the film, according to the Rocky Horror website.
Wexner Center for the Arts (1871 N. High St.)
As Ohio State’s “multidisciplinary laboratory for contemporary art and culture” — according to the Wex’s website — the center offers more than just art exhibitions and installations. The Wex’s Film/Video Program shows over 200 screenings a year and hosts a variety of film series, showcasing independent films across the globe and filmmaker appearances.
Students can purchase tickets to screenings at a discounted price and in some cases, free. All screenings are listed on the center’s website.
punk band Talking Heads.
For more information on the auditorium’s event lineup, visit either the Wex’s website for more local events or Live Nation’s website for certain artists.
Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.)
Lennox Town Center 24 (777 Kinnear Rd.)
Looking for something a little more mainstream? Lennox Town Center 24, owned by Knoxville-based theater chain Phoenix Theatres, is right around the corner from campus and shows new releases and box office hits. The theater’s concession stand sells movie theater staples, such as popcorn and ICEEs, as well as a full bar and entrees, such as pizza and chicken tenders. Student tickets are available for purchase at the theater for $6.99. According to the theater’s website, BuckID is accepted as a form of payment.
The movie theater isn’t the only place to find entertainment — fans of musicals, plays, comedians and the like can check out these following centers and learn more about the upcoming selection of shows.
Mershon Auditorium (1871 N. High St.)
The Mershon Auditorium is located within the Wexner Center, marking another on-campus venue. The auditorium has a seating capacity of 2,500 and hosts a range of shows. The Wex website states the auditorium space can also be transformed into a black box theater, furthering the spectrum of shows offered. Upcoming events include “Evening with Eric Clapton” — an English singer-songwriter — and “An Evening with David Byrne - Who is the Sky Tour?” — the solo album tour for the frontman of the new wave
The Ohio Theatre is a Columbus staple. The theater has 2,791 seats and originally opened in 1928 as a movie theater. It was named a historic landmark in 1977, and according to the theater’s website, it’s known as the “Official Theatre of the State of Ohio.”
The theater hosts Broadway shows and BalletMet performances, as well as the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Upcoming shows include “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” “Some Like It Hot” and BalletMet’s “The Nutcracker.” Information on more shows and tickets can be found on the theater’s website.
Palace Theatre (34 W. Broad St.)
Another historic building, Palace Theatre was built in 1926 and, according to the Columbus Association of Performing Arts’ website, was the most active venue for live performances in Columbus throughout the following decades. Today, the multipurpose performing arts center hosts everything from comedians to musicians and dancers.
Upcoming events include Weird Al Yankovic on “The Bigger & Weirder” tour and “Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert,” a live orchestral performance of the series’ soundtrack. For more information on upcoming events, visit CAPA’s website.
Riffe Center Theatre Complex (77 S. High St.)
The Riffe Center Theatre Complex hosts many shows a year, such as ballets, comedy, music, theater and family entertainment programs. Upcoming events include “Junie B. Jones the Musical Jr.,” performed by the Columbus Children’s Theatre, and The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio’s performance of “Alice by Heart,” an “Alice in Wonderland” inspired musical by the writers of Broadway hits “Spring Awakening” and “Waitress,” according to CAPA’s website.
Fall concert line up - just steps from OSU
Julia Hart Arts & Life Senior Writer
Live music is just around the corner at Ohio State. From big arenas to small local spots, these six venues are student favorites for starting the semester off right. Read on to find some upcoming, can’t-miss shows near campus.
Check out DTIX (https:// activities.osu.edu/programs/ dtix) for discounted ticket pric- es across Columbus!
KEMBA Live! (405 Neil Ave.)
KEMBA Live! is an indoor-outdoor concert venue, offering year-round entertainment and holding an estimated 110 shows per year, according to PromoWest’s website. Just two miles from campus — and easily accessible by COTA — KEMBA Live! is a go-to venue for Ohio State students.
Russell Dickerson (Sept. 26): American country pop singer-songwriter, Russell Dickerson, is well-known for his four number one singles, including “Every Little Thing,” “Yours,” “Blue Tacoma” and “Love You Like I Used To.”
Alex Warren (Oct. 15): Alex Warren is an influencer — best known for co-founding Hype House, a group of TikTokers — and a YouTuber. Warren began releasing music in 2021, but it wasn’t until the release of his breakout song, “Ordinary,” that his music career began to take off. The song peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts — his first song to do so.
A&R Music Bar (391 Neil Ave.)
A&R Music Bar is located next to KEMBA Live! in the Arena District.
A&R Music Bar is a live music venue with a capacity of 400 people and a large outdoor patio, according to AEG Special Event Venues website. As a smaller venue, A&R Music Bar gives audience members the chance to see their favorite artists up close and in a more intimate atmosphere.
Wisp (Sept. 8): Wisp is an American shoegaze, indie musician who began releasing music in 2023. Wisp’s debut album, “If Not Winter,” released August 1.
WILLIS (Oct. 8): WILLIS, an indie band, has over 100 million streams across all platforms, according to thebandwillis website. The band has five members: Murphy Billings, Glenn O’Steen, Will O’Steen, Edward Armstead, and Trey Murphy. Their latest single, “real vacation,” released July 11.
Shea Sooley | Lantern File Photo
Christian Harsa | Lantern File Photo
Nationwide Arena (200 W. Nationwide Blvd.)
Nationwide Arena is a multipurpose entertainment and sports facility. Located in downtown Columbus, the arena is home to the Columbus Blue Jackets. It is known as the centerpiece of the downtown Arena District and hosts between 5,000 to 20,000 guests, according to Nationwide Arena’s website.
NBA YoungBoy Masa Tour (Sept. 25): NBA YoungBoy, also known as YoungBoy Never Broke Again, is an American rapper. YoungBoy has four No. 1 hits on the Billboard 200 chart and has also achieved one top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with his song “Bandit,” featuring the late rapper Juice WRLD.
Reneé Rapp Bite Me Tour (Oct. 8): Reneé Rapp, American singer, songwriter and actress, rose to fame for her role as Regina George in the Broadway musical “Mean Girls.” Rapp released her first album “Snow Angel” in 2023 and her sophomore album, “Bite Me,” August 1.
Adam Sandler (Oct. 15): Adam Sandler is an actor, comedian, producer and screenwriter. Widely known for his leading comedic roles in films such as “Happy Gilmore” and “Grown Ups,” Sandler’s stand-up comedy tour, titled “Adam Sandler: You’re My Best Friend,” will land in Columbus in October.
Ace of Cups (2619 N. High St.)
Ace of Cups is a bar and concert venue located in the Old North neighborhood. This venue doesn’t have a fixed seating chart – it is primarily a standing room only space. Its live music, patio and monthly events make for a great night.
Mr. Gnome (Oct. 10): Hailing from Cleveland, Mr. Gnome is an alternative art rock married duo, consisting of Nicole Barille and Sam Meister. The duo originated in 2005 and have since released six full-length albums.
bar italia (Nov. 16): British indie rock band, bar italia, formed in London. The band has four members including Nina Cristante, Sam Fenton and Jezmi Tarik Fehmi. Their latest single, “Cowbella,” was released June 17.
Teethe (Dec. 11): Texas-based lo-fi rock and shoegaze band Teethe are best known for their calming, atmospheric music. The band’s newest album, “Magic Of The Sale,” came out August 8. The band includes Boone Patrello, Grahm Robinson, Madeline Dowd and Jordan Garrett.
Newport Music Hall (1722 N. High St.)
Newport Music Hall is one of the most iconic rock clubs in the country, hosting over 150,000 guests a year, according to PromoWest’s website. Located across the street from the Ohio Union, this venue is a staple for Ohio State students to enjoy.
sombr (Oct. 3): American alternative and indie musician sombr made a name for himself in the industry after the release of “back to friends” in 2024 and “undressed” in March. The songs began to hit the charts after gaining virality on TikTok.
Rico Nasty (Oct. 19): American rapper, Rico Nasty, started releasing music on SoundCloud and now has three studio albums. Her latest album, “LETHAL,” released May 16.
Sir Chloe (Nov. 20): American indie rock band, Sir Chloe, consists of four members: Dana Foote, Teddy O’Mara, Palmer Foote and Austin Holmes. As with many other artists on this list, the group rose to fame after their song “Michelle” went viral on TikTok in 2020. According to Spotify, the group amasses millions of monthly listeners.
Located on Ohio State University’s campus, the Schottenstein Center hosts Ohio State men’s and women’s basketball and ice hockey games, as well as concerts and other touring productions. The Schottenstein Center has a large capacity, with up to 20,000 guests, making for an energetic atmosphere, according to The Ohio State University’s website.
Lorde (Sept. 23): Lorde, singer-songwriter, released her debut album in 2013, “Pure Heroine.” Its lead single, “Royals” made her a widely known star. Her latest album, “Virgin,” released in June. Her tour, “Ultrasound,” will make its way to Columbus in September.
The Lumineers (Sept. 30): American alternative folk-rock band The Lumineers are known for their hit songs “Ho Hey” and “Ophelia.” The band consists of Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites. Their latest album, “Automatic,” came out on Valentine’s Day.
Jonas Brothers (Nov. 8): The Jonas Brothers, popularly known for their time on Disney Channel, are a music group made up of brothers Kevin Jonas, Joe Jonas and Nick Jonas. The pop group split up in 2013 but reunited in 2019. Their newest album, “Greetings From Your Hometown,” comes out August 8.
Schottenstein Center (555 Borror Dr.)
Photos from left to right:
CAMPUS DESK CAMPUS DESK
Lily Pace Managing Campus Editor
Davis Beatty Campus Editor
Audrey van Schagen Campus Senior Writer
Allison Wolfe Campus Senior Writer
Incoming students: how to get involved on campus
Audrey van Schagen and Allison Wolfe Campus Senior Writers
Whether you’re looking to continue your interests, serve your community or make new friends, getting involved at Ohio State is easier than it seems. For new Buckeyes, it can be a crucial step to feeling at home.
Meeting people is an important objective for incoming students as they enter an entirely new environment, said Brooke Olson, assistant director for Student Organizations at Ohio State.
“You can meet people in a variety of ways, but one of the first ways that a lot of people start to explore is through student organizations,” Olson said.
The university has over 1,400 student organizations focused on a variety of interests. These clubs help students find community and belonging, which is a critical component of student success, Olson said. Because these organizations are entirely student-led, students can explore and develop leadership skills while representing their interests and passions, Olson said.
One of these student organizations is the Ohio Union Activities Board, or OUAB. Students can attend a variety of free events hosted by OUAB throughout the school year.
Taylor Crates, a third-year in neuroscience and vice president of OUAB, said in an email that they put on a wide range of events so that every student can feel like their niche is fulfilled, whether that be concerts, comedy shows, lectures or other special events.
“With our wide variety of programming, we ensure that students feel at home, and like they have a community to lean on,” Crates said.
Crates also said OUAB helped her feel included on campus.
“Getting to move, plan and execute every week for any event with my closest friends will be something I will forever cherish,” Crates said. “The laughs, jokes and seriousness of OUAB shows what we truly are about. Family.”
Outside of OUAB, there are plenty of other student organizations that can take everyday interests and make them a bonding experience for students. The women’s basketball club is an example of how a recreational sport can build a strong community.
Julia Reichert, president of the women’s basketball club at Ohio State, said continuing to play the sport she’s grown up playing has helped her build relationships with others who have similar backgrounds. Reichert has been able to learn how to lead a judgment-free environment, while learning more about herself.
“We’ve all played basketball for so long, I think we all kind of just have the same interests, same values, like we’re just kind of all the same,” Reichert said. “Through that, I’ve been able to build lifelong friends, like I would literally call them family, we’re so tight.”
According to Ohio State’s Student Activities website, the Autumn Student Involvement Fair will take place on Aug. 24 from 4-7 p.m. Tables promoting student organizations will be spread throughout the Oval and South Oval, where students can connect with several organizations to expand their involvement on campus beyond attending class.
Students can access the student organization directory to search for specific groups or clubs. The advanced search feature allows organizations to be filtered depending on interests. Additionally, students can schedule a consultation with a student organization success coach to receive a curated list of recommended student organizations based on their interests and availability, said Olson.
“Beyond the involvement fair, student orgs are recruiting and meeting and hosting events the entire year, so it’s never a wrong time to start to find student organizations,” Olson said.
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Helps students navigate and resolve issues at Ohio State, both inside and outside the classroom. Students in need of assistance can email advocacy@osu.edu or call 614-292-1111.
Student Life Disability Services:
Helps students with disabilities access campus resources and navigate Ohio State with ease. Students who need services can email slds@osu.edu or call 614-292-3307.
Keith B. Key Center for Student Leadership and Service:
Avaliable to help students connect with leadership and service initiatives and engage with student organizations. Email sl-resourceroom@osu.edu or call 614-292-8763.
Student
Wellness Center:
Helps students work towards balance and wellness while handling academics, social life and other college struggles. Students in need of services can email wellness@osu.edu or call 614-292-4257.
Younkin Success Center:
Provides students information regarding tutoring, academic and career services. Visit https://younkinsuccess.osu. edu/ for more information on general services.
For tutoring specific information, such as opportunities in certain courses and major areas, check your college website, or navigate through younkinsuccess.osu.edu/tutoring-and-academic-services.
The Oval, at the heart of The Ohio State University, is always bustling with people and opportunities.
ZACHARY RILLEY | LANTERN FILE PHOTO
Ohio State launches AI program to redefine learning and innovation
Lily Pace Managing Campus Editor
Thisstory was originally published June 10 and updated for the Buckeye Bound edition.
Ohio State will begin to include AI into their coursework, with a goal to ensure that every student, beginning with the class of 2029 onwards, will graduate proficient in AI usage.
The university’s AI Fluency program will launch this fall for all incoming first-year students in their undergraduate curriculum, according to a June 4 press release. The goal of the program is to help students use AI as a tool to help them innovate and learn, no matter what their major is.
“Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we live, work, teach and learn,” Walter “Ted” Carter Jr., Ohio State president, said in the release. “In the not-so-distant future, every job, in every industry, is going to be impacted in some way by AI. Ohio State has an opportunity and responsibility to prepare students to not just keep up, but lead in this workforce of the future.”
Incoming undergraduates will learn AI skills in their general education launch seminar, as well as GenAI workshops, according to its website. These workshops will be added to the university’s First Year Success Series, aiming to help new students adapt to college life. Additional workshops will also be offered to returning students.
A new course, “Unlocking Generative AI,” will also be offered to students in every major. The goal of the course is to teach students how to use AI respon-
sibly, while exploring the program, the release states.
Since this program will be spread across all majors, graduates in computer science to arts programs will be fluent in how to use AI ethically in their disciplines, according to the press release.
“Through AI Fluency, Ohio State students will be ‘bilingual’ — fluent in both their major field of study and the application of AI in that area,” Ravi V. Bellamkonda, executive vice president and provost, said in the press release.
This program follows Carter’s Education for Citizenship 2035 plan, which “aims to redefine the future of higher education,” the release states, while focusing on adapting and innovating from generation to generation.
The Michael V. Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning will offer resources to educators and faculty on how to integrate AI into their teaching, according to the press release. A fund will also be launched to provide financial and advisory support to staff.
To learn more about the AI Fluency program, visit the university’s website, https://oaa.osu.edu/ai-fluency.
Ohio State announced that all students from 2029 onward will graduate “AI fluent”.
DANIEL BUSH | CAMPUS PHOTO EDITOR
What to expect from USG’s interim administration
Lily Pace and Davis Beatty Managing Campus Editor and Campus Editor
The Undergraduate Student Government (USG) is experiencing an unprecedented election season after the spring race failed to appoint a new staff due to an investigation into the election.
USG will hold a re-election in the fall, but before the new race is held and the results are announced, an interim staff will keep USG running. Here is what to expect from the interim administration.
In a statement released on Instagram, the interim administration stated that its goal is to maintain the organization as usual while remaining transparent to students.
“As we await the results of the fall election and the appointment of the next USG leadership, our organization will remain operational and committed to serving students under an interim administration,” USG said in the statement.
George Bernard, incoming third-year in finance and information systems and interim vice president, said USG plans to keep the organization similar to what students are used to, despite transitioning staff and the fall election to maintain consistency this fall.
“We’re making sure that from what students experience and their interaction with USG,” Bernard said. “There’s no real difference, and that we’re still providing service and functions that students have come to rely upon USG to provide.”
Bernard said most of the fall semester programming will remain the same, including Buckeye Road Trip and airport shuttles.
The staff also released an external feedback form for their interim period, plan to host focus groups and ensure USG’s transparency and accessibility for students, according to the post.
“USG will continue to stand with students and work to uphold the values of representation, integrity and accountability in all that we do,” USG said in the statement.
The interim staff was not elected into their position. Instead, they were chosen depending on their former position from this past year, replacing the empty spots of those who graduated.
Bernard was the chief of staff this past school year. Justin Robinson, an incoming fifth-year in strategic communications and former vice president, filled the interim presidential spot after Bobby McAlpine, former USG president, graduated, Bernard said.
The spring election results were nullified after Melissa Shivers, senior vice president for the Office of Student Life, said in an email obtained by the Lantern that the race had multiple “procedural errors and inconsistencies throughout the election process.”
Every candidate was accused of misconduct, and some were even found guilty of harassment and belittlement. Additionally, Oliver Griffith and Daizhon Cox were disqualified from the race but are allowed to run again in the upcoming election, per prior Lantern reporting.
Addiction Resource Guide
Columbus Public Health Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program:
Provides a variety of services, including prevention, intervention, outpatient treatment and group counseling. For more information, call 614-645-6839.
The Recovery Village Columbus:
Offers a wide range of recovery treatments for substance abuse, such as medical detox, residential rehabilitation, outpatient care and therapy. For more information, call 855-710-8324.
The interim staff will lead USG as the fall elections commence.
Leading up to this new election, the Rossing-Noma campaign announced that it would not be running.
The Griffith-More, Cox and Almuti-Jasim campaigns have yet to officially declare if they are running in the fall.
Candidates may begin petitioning on Aug. 26. Voting for the USG fall election will begin on Sept. 17 and close on Sept. 19.
MACKENZIE SHANKLIN | LANTERN FILE PHOTO
Ohio State discontinues diversity and inclusion offices, removes 16 staff positions
Emma Wozniak, Reilly Ackermann, and Lucy Lawler
Former Editor-in-Chief, former Asst. Campus Editor and former Managing Editor for Content
This story was originally published Feb. 27 and updated for the Buckeye Bound edition
Ohio State’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Center for Belonging and Social Change will be discontinued effective Feb. 28, and related professional staff positions will be removed, university President Ted Carter Jr. announced at Thursday’s University Senate meeting.
University spokesperson Ben Johnson confirmed 16 employees will remain employed for 60 days, during which they will work with the university to find alternative positions. The Lantern is working to identify the affected individuals and their current roles. Additional staff positions beyond these 16 may be reassigned to other university offices.
The Hale Black Cultural Center, Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity and other DEI-related units at the university are currently under the president’s review, though they remain open at the time of publication. According to a campus-wide email sent by Carter Feb. 27, certain services within ODI will continue, though the email states programming and services offered by CBSC will be discontinued.
Despite these institutional changes, no Ohio State student with a current scholarship will lose that scholarship, nor will they lose current financial aid, according to Carter’s email. Students with a job in ODI or CBSC will be offered alternative jobs at the university.
In his email, Carter said the university is “communicating directly to impacted staff, students and faculty to provide further details.”
“Both ODI and the CBSC have historically done valuable work for our campus and students,” Carter said in his email. “I know these decisions will be disappointing for many in our community, particularly as we navigate an already uncertain and challenging period. We may not know all the answers, but I have heard your concerns, I understand the varied emotions many on our campus are feeling, and I have been heartened to witness the grace and care with which we are treating each other in uncertain moments.”
The Morrill Scholarship and Young Scholars programs — both within ODI — will continue, though there may be adjustments made to the eligibility criteria, according to Carter’s email.
Additionally, the email states the Office of Institutional Equity will continue to handle reports of discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct, though it will be renamed the Office of Civil Rights Compliance and overseen by the Office of University Compliance and Integrity.
DIVERSITY continues on page 21.
Ohio Union Activities Board
The Ohio Union Activities Board brings educational, entertaining and thought-provoking programs to Ohio State students all FREE with the swipe of your BUCKID.
Follow @OUAB or visit ouab.osu.edu to learn about upcoming events and how to apply!
SANDRA FU | MANAGING PHOTO EDITOR
Ohio State President Ted Carter Jr. on Feb. 27 University Senate meeting, during which he confirmed the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Center for Belonging and Social Change will be discontinued effective Feb. 28, and related professional staff positions will be removed.
Continued from page 20.
In his email, Carter said these conversations are “difficult, as [the university] knew they would be,” and higher education is facing a “challenging environment.”
“Nonetheless, I continue to believe that the best course for our university is to take actions proactively so that we can manage this new landscape in ways that best uphold the values of excellence, access and opportunity that we hold dear,” Carter said in his email.
These changes arrive in light of several executive orders issued by the President Donald Trump’s administration, a letter from the Department of Education and Ohio Senate Bill 1.
In his email, Carter attributed the institutional changes taking place at Ohio State to the federal government — namely the potential for the university to lose “federal dollars that are so important to our student, academic and operational success” — SB 1 and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s indications to the university that his office agrees with the federal government’s position on diversity, equity and inclusion.
“We can’t predict the outcome of any one legal case, but what we do know is this: Taken together, the actions at the state and federal levels and the guidance we’ve received from our state and federal leaders provide a clear signal that we will need to make changes now in the way we have historically gone about our work in DEI,” Carter said in his email.
Black and African American Student Resource
Guide
Black Student Association:
This club focuses on creating and providing a safe space for Black students and other minorities. Contact bsaosu@ outlook.com to learn more.
National Pan-Hellenic Council:
Governing body of nine historic Black sororities and fraternities. Visit nphcohiostate.com to learn more and apply, or contact https://sfl.osu.edu/about_us/boards_and_councils/national_ panhellenic_cou/.
Black Mental Health Coalition:
A group with the goal of allowing Black students in higher eduation a space to speak on the stigma surrounding mental health in their community. Contact osubmhc@gmail.com to learn more.
Trump issued a Jan. 20 executive order — titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” — which eliminated DEI policies, programming and positions within the federal government.
The next day, a Jan. 21 executive order — titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring MeritBased Opportunity” — ordered federal agencies to end DEI programs and mandated action to encourage higher education institutions to align with these policies.
On Feb. 21, a U.S. district judge issued a preliminary injunction against the majority of these orders, temporarily preventing the Trump administration from “terminating or changing federal contracts [it] consider[s] equity-related,” according to the Associated Press.
The “Dear colleague” letter from the Department of Education — released Feb. 14 — threatened to remove federal funding from institutions of higher education that failed to comply with eliminating DEI initiatives by Feb. 28, per prior Lantern reporting.
Ohio SB 1 — sponsored by Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) — aims to ban DEI programs at all public Ohio higher education institutions and ban faculty strikes in the name of “diversity of thought,” per prior Lantern reporting. The bill passed through the Ohio Senate in a 21-11 vote along party lines despite roughly 200 Ohioans orally testifying against the bill on Feb. 12 and was approved by the House and Gov. Mike DeWine on March 28.
Undergraduate Society of Black Leaders:
The USBL strives to provide resources, development opportunities and networking exposure to support Black students in their journey to becoming a leader. Contact usblosu@gmail.com to learn more.
Voting and Politics Resource Guide
OSU Votes:
OSU Votes is a student-led organization aimed at increasing student voter registration, educating and encouraging students to make their voice heard by voting. Visit https://lead.osu.edu/community-engagement/osu-votes to learn more.
The Collegiate Council on World Affairs (CCWA):
CCWA is the umbrella organization to clubs like Model United Nations, Alger Magazine and the United Nations Association. Organization goals emphasize diplomacy and international politics. Visit ccwaosu.org to learn more.
College Democrats:
A student organization dedicated to promoting the Democratic party ideals and candidates,and encouraging others to become involved in politics. Email ohiostatedemocrats@gmail.com to learn more.
College Republicans:
A student organization dedicated to helping elect Republican candidates, support the party’s ideas and move towards becoming leaders of the conservative movement. Email ohiostaterepublicans@gmail.com to learn more.
The Container Gardens Initiative: promoting food equity while building a community
Allison Wolfe Campus Senior Writer
This story was originally published June 10 and updated for the Buckeye Bound edition.
A small group of students have begun a movement to change the way the Ohio State community thinks about food, one container garden at a time.
The Container Gardens Initiative is a student-led agriculture project that promotes food equity and sustainability by creating raised-bed gardens on campus, according to their Instagram page. Through partnerships with Student Life, the Sustainability Institute and others, their club’s overall goal is growing more than vegetables — but also growing a community.
The group is led by Treg Sibert, a third-year in environment, economy, development and sustainability, also known as EEDS, and Nithya Duddella, a third-year in biochemistry.
Sibert said many students lack awareness of where their food comes from, and how much work goes into producing it. Duddella echoed that concern.
“I always had a connection to where
a food system started, and the garden in my backyard was an example of ways you could get involved in the food system by producing your own food,” Sibert said.
Duddella said that food insecurity isn’t just a college campus issue, but one that affects communities everywhere.
“I wanted to make sure that we’re being as inclusive as possible,” Duddella said, emphasizing her passion for addressing access barriers and reaching others through the initiative.
After launching a small pilot garden behind Scott House in spring 2024, the initiative has since expanded into a larger, more visible project near Norton and Scott House on North Campus.
With guidance from campus partners, including Aaron Rumbaugh, a landscape architect and Steve Schneider, the landscape maintenance lead, Sibert and Duddella were able to turn their vision into a reality.
“This isn’t just a one and don s GARDENS continues on page 23.
from page 22.
“This isn’t just a one and done situation, we’re trying to create a movement for years to come on campus,” Sibert said.
Already with plans for the next garden, Duddella said the location for the 25-2026 school year will be moved to the south lawn of Norton House, where they will have 12 raised garden beds surrounded by pollinator gardens that include over 50 plant species and 250 individual plants.
While the physical gardens are central to the initiative, Duddella said the mission extends beyond growing produce, it’s also about education, accessibility and long-term solutions to food insecurity.
“As of 2020, on the national level, an estimated 3.3 million students are eligible for SNAP benefits, but a lot of students are actually unaware of their eligibility,” Duddella said, referencing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
A few of the initiative’s upcoming goals, Duddella said, is to design meal kits that are accessible to students with disabilities, and to create a how-toguide for starting community gardens elsewhere on campus.
Sibert said the group also hopes to engage more public interaction with the gardens themselves.
“If somebody wants to step into the garden and grab a cucumber, nobody’s going to be there to put them in handcuffs,” Sibert said. “That’s what the garden is there for, we want people to use the food.”
Both Sibert and Duddella said how excited they are to have more people join the effort and are encouraged by the enthusiasm they have gotten this far.
Even faculty, including the chefs at Traditions at Scott, have helped maintain the garden this summer while students are away — watering, harvesting and keeping the partners updated.
Sibert said their involvement highlights just how widespread the commitment to sustainability can be on campus.
“With volunteer recruitment, it would make things even easier for us to alleviate some of that pressure, because we’re realizing that other people are just as excited about sustainability and urban agriculture as we are,” Duddella said.
For incoming students looking to join, the initiative is open to all. Their Instagram page features information about upcoming volunteer opportunities and an interactive map that shows what’s growing and how to use it.
Sexual Violence Resource Guide
Hotlines:
Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNO) Rape
Helpline: 614-267-7020
Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673
LSS Choices Domestic Violence Hotline: 614-224-4663
LGBT National Health Center Hotline: 888-843-4564
On Campus:
Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNO): 614688-2518
Stress, Trauma and Resilience (STAR) Trauma Recovery Center: 614293-7827, choose option two.
Off Campus:
Mount Carmel Crime & Trauma Assistance Program: 614-234-5900
LSS Choices for Victims of Domestic Violence: 614-224-7200
Ohio Domestic Violence Network: 614-781-9651, or odvn.org
USG to hold election for 2025 candidates this upcoming autumn semester following a review into spring election
Lily Pace and Davis Beatty Managing Campus Editor and Campus Editor
This story was originally published June 4 and updated for the Buckeye Bound edition.
Undergraduate Student Government (USG) will be required to hold a new election at the start of the 2025 autumn semester, following misconduct charges against candidates, disqualifications and university intervention in the spring 2025 campaign period.
In a May 27 email obtained by The Lantern, Melissa Shivers, the senior vice president for the Office of Student Life said “the outcomes of that review identified a number of procedural errors and inconsistencies throughout the election process, along with additional contributing factors that further exacerbated the situation.”
According to Shivers’ email, the investigation also found “significant, unhealthy and negative organizational culture issues within USG election process, including but not limited to allegations of harassment, discrimination and bullying.”
Initial reactions
The reactions to this email differed between the presidential candidates.
“It’s very disappointing, the decision that they came to,” Amjad Almuti, an incoming fourth-year in psychology and former USG presidential candidate, said in an interview. “Ohio State’s administration essentially had their hand forced by lawyers, indirect political threats and, overall, a lack of care for democracy in the student government.”
Oliver Griffith, an incoming third-year in molecular genetics and former USG presidential candidate, disagrees.
“I know many students on all sides of this are disappointed that we have to redo the election, but regardless of who someone supports and the past election this spring, it’s important that we redo this election,” Griffith said in an interview. “I believe the Office of Student Life chose to initiate a new autumn election because it was in the interests of not only their body, but also the university, that there’s proper representation and the opportunity to hear from all groups across different backgrounds, beliefs and ways of life.”
Daizhon Cox, an incoming fourth-year in political science and former presidential candidate, said in an interview that he felt that they were going to have a new race, but said he feels that not every candidate, specifically Griffith and Almuti, should have a “clean slate.”
When he learned of the decision for a re-election, Cox said he was disappointed that the process was restarted and the candidates will have to redo their campaign. Additionally, Cox said it will be a very different presidency compared to other years because the 2025-26 president won’t serve for an entire term due to the re-election happening in the fall. At the time of publication, elections for the next president will be set in the spring, as it has been previously.
Chay Robert Rossing, an incoming fifth-year in French and Francophone studies, philosophy and religious studies, who was a presidential candidate for the spring 2025 election cycle, did not reply to The Lantern’s request for comment in time for publication.
The email from Shivers follows the postponement of the election results after
the Office of Student Life opened an investigation into the election process.
Griffith requested the review in an email sent April 4 with a letter addressed to Shivers, John W. Zeiger, chair of the Ohio State Board of Trustees and a founding partner of Zeiger, Tigges & Little LLP and Anne Schira, senior associate general counsel and director of legal operations and strategic initiatives at the Ohio State Office of Legal Affairs, where he urged the Office of Student Life to investigate the spring 2025 election. Griffith clarified that he did not have any prior communications with Zeiger and Schira prior to sending this email.
“I think this whole issue started because Oliver Griffith didn’t get his way, so he threw a temper tantrum,” Almuti said in an interview. “He started insulting USG members, lashing out online. He was degrading the judicial panel and immediately started dragging in lawyers and the school trustees instead of working through the judicial and student government channels.”
Almuti said that though the Panel ruled against him and his team multiple times, his campaign “accepted their decision even when we disagreed with them.” Griffith, however, said that the current USG system was “flawed” which “led the spring election getting so out of control that the university was left with no other choice but to redo the election.”
Cox said he believes Almuti and Griffith’s campaign was “all about power.”
“I genuinely thought that we were all advocating for the opportunity to advocate for the students,” Cox said. “I thought we were going to make flyers and go back and forth on the Oval and do debates.”
Rossing said in an Instagram post his campaign decided not to run again in the fall.
“But as I see it, choosing to run is the wrong decision — and if we were to run we would have to either sacrifice our health, our dignity, or worse — our message,” Rossing said in the post about him and his running mate, Kathrina Noma, an incoming fourth-year in public management, leadership and policy.
Rossing continued, stating, “And, while I think that character makes me a good leader, I now also realize it means that I am a horrible candidate for this election.”
Cox said he plans to run again in the fall to “strictly advocate for students.” He believes the student body needs “consistency and stability” after the USG election investigation.
“People are going to get a fearless fighter, somebody who is going to be able to come advocate directly for the students, directly to a president that sometimes needs to answer to us,” Cox said.
Griffith and Almuti’s campaigns have not publicly announced if they are running for the fall 2025 election.
Shivers said that the outcome to have a new election is necessary.
“I know that this outcome may be surprising, and perhaps even disappointing to some students and other community members, but I strongly believe this course of action is necessary to ensure a fair, credible and respectful student government election process,” Shivers said in an email obtained by The Lantern.
Election background
Before the spring 2025 election, all candidates accused each other of misconduct. Some of the results led to more severe punishments than others.
The majority of the judicial hearings addressed electoral infractions per prior Lantern reporting, mainly focusing on signature discrepancies and early campaigning.
Additionally, candidates could be found not guilty if the bylaw was wrongly stated by the plaintiff or insufficient evidence, which happened in multiple opinions.
On Feb. 23, Griffith was found guilty of one of the several accusations made against him. He faced a $150 penalty from his campaign budget for bullying and harassment to other candidates after he sent a message to Rossing.
Griffith stated, “I value a unified student government the most and wouldn’t want anyone else in your roles either, so if you guys decide not to run then I would want those roles to be available for you. However, that offer will not be in place if you choose to run.”
Griffith was removed from the race on Mar. 27 after his campaign was found guilty of placing palm cards for his campaign under windshields of cars in the Buckeye Lot — located at 2701 Fred Taylor Dr., per prior Lantern reporting. This type of signage is only allowed on “designated open posting boards and kiosks,” according to the opinion.
The fine was more than Griffith’s campaign had left in their budget, disqualifying them from the race. Griffith appealed this decision on April 2, and while the Panel found one reason for his appeal to be valid, they continued to uphold their Mar. 27 decision.
Cox was disqualified from the race on Feb. 19 after falsifying documents to the panel by collecting signatures with an “unofficial circulator,” which results in a “minimum penalty of disqualification,” according to the opinion.
and unaffiliated
for
In direct messaging, Cox asked an anonymous student to help circulate his petition to collect signatures, the opinion stated. The person said they would be interested in helping and asked if Cox should be listed as the circulator, whereas Cox said to put his name down, according to the opinion.
Cox attempted to appeal the judicial opinion by arguing the requirement that the circulator names must be in a specific subsection lacked “textual foundation” but the panel maintained their decision, stating “the guidelines clearly distinguish between candidate names and circulator names.”
Rossing was found guilty on Feb. 23 for not providing the required field for circulators to put their names on the candidates petition. Despite them removing signatures that were included in the incorrect petition, Rossing’s campaign was able to stay in the race because the remaining valid signatures met the threshold to be added to the ballot, according to the judicial opinion.
Additionally, Almuti was fined $450 for early campaigning on a Feb. 24 opinion. The panel found that Almuti’s campaign website posted language soliciting votes and found Instagram accounts affiliated with their campaign before they were allowed.
Stone sculpture adorns the Ohio Union. USG elections will begin Sept. 17.
DANIEL BUSH | CAMPUS PHOTO EDITOR
USG members
students gather
the 57th General Assembly Meeting Wednesday to discuss proceedings following the passage of SB 1 through the Ohio Senate.
KAITLAN HARLAN | LANTERN FILE PHOTO
Jack Diwik
Behind closed doors: The meeting that transformed Ohio State into national champions
Noah Weiskopf Former Sports Editor
This story was originally published February 5 and updated for the Buckeye Bound edition.
It was high noon when the Ohio State players shuffled into the football team meeting room, as they had countless times before
This time, however, was different.
The date was Dec. 2, 2024, 48 hours after one of the worst failures in program history — a 13-10 loss to Michigan, the fourth straight to their biggest rival.
The seniors had four years to earn the coveted gold pants.
Four times they tried.
Four times they failed.
There were no chances left.
The season was over.
Or was it?
The team was the No. 8 seed in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff, but its prospects for advancement were anything but bright if the Michigan game was any indication.
The new playoff system was a gift that could be maximized — or squandered — and players like Seth McLaughlin knew it.
“We can still win it with this new format, and we [are] still one of the best teams in the country,” McLaughlin said.
The meeting would decide the Buckeyes’ fate: They could either come together to make a run for the national championship, or they could limp into another painful offseason.
It was a meeting that would seal the team’s place in Buckeye history.
Six weeks later, the 2024 Ohio State team stood atop college football as the undisputed champion of a historic playoff. It ran a gauntlet of four top 10 teams, won every game by double digits and silenced every doubter.
Ohio against the world, indeed.
“It was a very uplifting meeting for everybody to regain the confidence, and just having faith in one another to keep going and keep working toward something,” McLaughlin said. “I don’t think we’d be here today if it wasn’t for the men who stepped up in that room and talked.”
In the Buckeye football-themed room, which seats 100-plus people, the words “TOUGH LOVE” are painted between two white projector screens that take up most of the wall.
Those words came to life that Monday.
“[It’s] the only way you get to win championships,” cornerback Jermaine Mathews said. “It’s a lot of tough love, a lot of tough conversations you’ve got to have with each other.”
The meeting was primarily for players, but head coach Ryan Day also attended. Athletes’ murmuring drew quiet when their coach stood to speak.
Day took the brunt of public scorn for the Michigan loss. There were calls for him to be fired. There were calls for him to die. There were threats made against him and his family. But in that room, all he had was love for the players who followed him into battle.
He told the team this was the time for everyone to speak.
About their feelings.
About their disappointments.
About their fears.
About their anger.
About their hopes. And their dreams.
“He told us to ask him ques tions that are hard to answer, even though it might not be what I want to hear,” wide receiver Brandon Inniss said. “We’ve got to get through this as a team.”
When he was done talking, Day sat down in a chair in the corner of the meeting room as the floor opened up for players to speak, his back against the wall.
The first player to stand was team captain Jack Sawyer, whose message was simple.
“That’s a hard game to get over, but now that it’s over, we’ve got to move on,” Sawyer said.
“I still think we have the team to win the national championship.”
Sawyer then asked if the team still believed in each other. Inniss said the response was underwhelming.
“Everybody kind of said ‘Yes,’ but it wasn’t huge; you didn’t believe it if you heard it,” Inniss said.
The players sat and conversed with their respective position groups. When it was the wide receivers’ turn to speak, Inniss
stood and looked at Day. He asked for answers about how the offensive plays of the Michigan game were called, especially since so many failed.
“I asked him, during the game, ‘Why did we make certain calls?’ And he gave me an explanation,” Inniss said. “He explained why it went down and his thought process behind that.”
Day’s candor made a mark on the players, with senior defensive tackle Ty Hamilton calling his coach “prideless.”
Emotions ran high. Mathews and senior offensive lineman Donovan Jackson were angry. They were frustrated. They cried.
“Harsh things were said about each unit, what they need to get better on,” defensive back Jordan Hancock said. “We all took the criticism, we all loved each other. It was positivity, it was tears, it was every emotion you could imagine in one meeting.”
Minutes went by. Then an
Day challenged the team that had crumbled against Michigan to move on and face the challenge before it: a playoff run that would require players to crisscross the country, play elite opponents for four more weeks and hopefully be crowned the ultimate champions.
Before the meeting ended, Day left his players alone in the room. His words hung heavy like a thick fog, clinging to every surface.
What formed among that weight was resolve.
This team would go on. This team would fight. This team believed that in a battle between Ohio State and the world, the Buckeyes would be victorious.
Sawyer stood up one last time. Again, he asked his teammates, “Do you guys still believe?” This time, the response left no
“The consensus agreement at the end of it [was] we can still win this thing,” Mathews said. “We’ve got four to go.”
Before leaving the room, the players came together — as they had all season — for a group prayer. Their heads bowed, their arms
linked, their spirits lifted.
The team that left the room bore little resemblance to the one that entered.
Players tempted by the transfer portal reaffirmed their full commitment to the program. Players who did enter the portal vowed to be Buckeyes until the journey was complete and the job was finished. Players who would start and end their careers wearing scarlet and gray forged a bond that could never be broken.
“After we closed the doors behind us, we were just like, ‘That’s in the past, we’re moving forward,” tight end Will Kacmaek said. “There’s only one way up.”
That upward journey carried the Buckeyes to a 42-17 triumph over Tennessee in the first round.
It carried them to a 41-21 Rose Bowl thumping of Oregon.
It carried them to a 28-14 wrangling of Texas in the Cotton Bowl, capped off by Sawyer’s legendary scoop-and-score with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter.
In the post-Cotton Bowl press conference, Day sat with quarterback Will Howard and Sawyer. They were now one step away from their end goal of a national championship.
Day wore a Cotton Bowl champions hat low on his forehead, hunching over a microphone. His voice was calm yet filled with emotion.
They had come so far.
They had silenced some doubters.
But they still had more to do.
“The story of this team is yet to be told,” Day said. “No great accomplishments are ever achieved without going through adversity. That’s just the truth. At the end, we want to be able to tell the story of this team.”
A week later, Ohio State lifted the national championship trophy in Atlanta, after defeating a tough Notre Dame team 34-23 to cement its legacy of excellence.
The same players who confronted the reality of the humiliating Michigan loss now celebrated a victory without equal. Once again, they cried together — but this time, tears of joy.
They cried, and they remembered.
“That was the reason why we won: that meeting right there,” Innis said. “Everybody’s whole mindset changed.”
This was a team that had overcome agonizing public pain. This was a team that had come together with a belief few others shared. This was a team that had found a way to win and lift an entire university, city, state and sport to championship heights.
Now, their story could be told.
What you need to know about HPV and cancer
For maximum effectiveness, the HPV vaccine is recommended for patients aged 9-12, but it’s available up to age 45. Despite widespread availability, though, the CDC estimates that only around half (approximately 56.9%) of qualifying kids were vaccinated in the U.S. as of July 2024.
HPV vaccination can reduce the risk of several cancers, but many Americans aren’t aware of its widespread benefits.
While well known as the leading cause of cervical cancer, HPV (human papillomavirus) is also linked to several other conditions, including cancers that affect the tongue, throat, neck, esophagus, anus and genitals.
The good news is that HPV vaccination is proven to significantly reduce the risk of these cancers and could prevent an estimated 90% of cervical cancer cases, in particular.
“This is a powerful tool for cancer prevention,” says Electra Paskett, PhD, a cancer control researcher at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James).
“We see the impact of the vaccine through the scientific data.”
Increased awareness could be a key to raising that number, with a recent OSUCCC –James (cancer.osu.edu) study showing that many Americans are unaware or mistaken about important HPV info:
• 45% of those surveyed didn’t know that HPV was linked to non-cervical cancers.
• 42% didn’t know that HPV is actually more common in men than women.
• 40% were unaware that HPV itself may not cause symptoms before cancer develops.
Through better HPV education, doctors hope to increase vaccination rates and reduce cancer diagnoses.
“Once exposed, there are currently no treatments for HPV infections, and many who are unvaccinated unknowingly carry and spread high-risk strains of the virus,” OSUCCC – James head and neck surgeon, Matthew Old, MD, says. “That’s why vaccination is so important.”
When it might be cancer, the choice is clear.
The best outcomes for treating cancer come from early detection –and early diagnosis. The James Cancer Diagnostic Center at Ohio State is designed to provide rapid evaluation and a clear diagnosis. We’re transforming care by giving patients direct access to cancer experts who study and treat cancer every day. If you suspect you have cancer, the choice is clear. Choose The James Cancer Diagnostic Center. Visit cancer.osu.edu/diagnosticcenter.
Mindy, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma survivor and Cancer Diagnostic Center patient.
Opinion: 2025 Buckeyes will face a summer that could define the future of Ohio State football
Samuel Becker
The Buckeyes prepare to hoist the College Football National Championship trophy after defeating Notre Dame 34-23 on Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.
This story was originally published April 24 and updated for the Buckeye Bound edition.
In summer 2015, the Ohio State football team was fresh off a national championship and wanted to build on its momentum.
With arguably the best roster in the country, the Buckeyes weren’t just aiming to defend their title — they were looking to earn a second straight.
But that title never came.
Ten years later, the Buckeyes are the defending national champions once again, and they have a prime opportunity to learn from the past and start a dynasty.
As difficult as it might be to believe, summer 2025 could be a true inflection point for the program. If the correct steps are taken, this period of time may be remembered as the beginning of something special — or even dynastic — rather than a return to normalcy.
It appears as though the current team is already determined to avoid the pitfalls the program encountered a decade ago.
“The 2015 [team] had more talent, but they were a little undisciplined, and what they did, we don’t want to become a story like that,” offensive lineman Carson Hinzman said in an April 3 interview with The Lantern.
In order for the 2025 Buckeyes to overcome a championship hangover and extend their reign, coaching and development will both be crucial.
The biggest hindrance to the success of the 2015 Buckeyes was coaching turnover on offense. Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tom Herman left to become the head coach at the University of Houston, and running backs coach Stan Drayton left for the same position with the Chicago Bears.
Tim Beck and Ed Warinner jointly replaced Herman on the offensive side of the ball, and Tony Alford stepped in as running backs coach. The offense regressed significantly in 2015, averaging 77.5 fewer yards and 8.3 fewer points per game compared to 2014.
The 2025 team faces a similar challenge, as the Buckeyes were forced to replace offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and offensive line coach Justin Frye.
The replacements that head coach Ryan Day selected — Brian Hartline, Matt Patricia and Tyler Bowen, respectively — will play a fundamental role in ensuring the 2025 Buckeyes don’t backslide following their championship.
Day is now tasked with doing what former Alabama head coach Nick Saban mastered while at Alabama: sustaining dominance, regardless of change.
Saban, widely regarded as the greatest coach in college football history, lost top assistants nearly every season. And still, his savvy hiring decisions were conducive to championship-level football every year.
In building his own legacy and hoping to propel Ohio State to a comparable level of recognition, Day’s new coaches will have to succeed.
Equally important will be the emergence of players who’ve waited in the wings. This season, Buckeye fans will finally see what has been going on “under the hood” while established veterans have been the starters.
Wide receiver Brandon Inniss, linebacker Arvell Reese and defensive linemen Caden Curry, Kenyatta Jackson and C.J. Hicks are just some of the many players who have waited their turn. Now, they’ll be called on to perform at a championship level if the Buckeyes hope to secure a repeat title.
These Buckeyes will need to take the necessary steps this summer to become some of the team’s best players and leaders, both on and off the field. If Ohio State is built to be a championship program that endures beyond just one great season, these veterans must now be ready to be starters.
According to previous Lantern reporting, one message is currently thriving in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center: The 2024 Buckeyes are national champions, and the 2025 team has won nothing. Last year, many of the aforementioned players were rotational pieces; this summer, they’re being tasked to lead.
Still, it’s a tough reality to lose 17 starters and be expected to simply reload. That’s the difference between great teams and dynasties, though.
Teams like LSU in 2019 and Michigan in 2023 are examples of great champions who pushed all their chips in for that singular year. But they also seemed to accept the reality of being mediocre the following season, which they both were. It’s not exactly a revelation to say coaching and development matter every year. What is noteworthy, though, is just how much they matter for Ohio State right now.
This summer, the Buckeyes will learn a lot about themselves. If the coaching and development deliver, we could be witnessing the start of something different in Columbus — something that resembles a dynasty for years to come.
Someone is Looking for You!
There IS a superior intelligence “out there” – and a loving one too. Your Creator wants you to acknowledge Him, and come to know Him and His ways. Don’t be deceived by evolutionism. All creation screams of intelligent design! The odds alone of DNA evolving are virtually nil. Evolutionism is the only “science” that denies the law of degeneration (entropy). God alone is the origin of life, and the true God wants/needs no one to take away life for Him – beware the “god” that does! What is unique about the Bible? It is the only book with fulfilled prophecy (Isaiah 46:9-10). Try (current situation) Psalm 83 and Zechariah 12; (reformation of Israel after nearly 1900 years) Isaiah 66:8, Jeremiah 16:14-15, Amos 9:9-15, Ezekiel 34:12-31, and Ezekiel 36; (suffering/crucifixion of Christ) Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53; (future situation) Zechariah 13:7 – 14:21; (timing of the 2nd Coming of Christ) Joel 3:1-2, 2Peter 3:8/Hosea 5:14 – 6:2. “No one knows the day or the hour!” you cry? The Word says: 1Thessalonians 5:1-6. “Too hard to read and understand” you say? Try the KJV/Amplified/Complete Jewish parallel bible (biblegateway.com). “It’s all in how you interpret it” you say? The Bible, despite numerous transcribers over hundreds of years, is remarkably consistent/coherent and interprets itself (2Peter 1:1621). Beware of modern, liberal translations from “the higher critics” which seriously distort the Word! Finally, if there is a God, why is there so much evil? We have rejected God, and now see what it is like to live in a world where God has permitted us (temporarily) to rule ourselves. Give up your lusts, and come to your Creator and follow His ways (Jude 1:18-25). All that this world has to offer is as nothing compared to what He has in store for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9, John 14:15). Isaiah 55:6-7!
CARLY DAMON | LANTERN FILE PHOTO
One last ride: Ohio State freshmen and seniors reflect on Michigan rivalry experience
Jayla Vanhorn
Former LTV Sports Producer
This story was originally published November 26, 2024 and updated for the Buckeye Bound edition.
Every fall, Daria Smith wakes up at 6 a.m., her heart racing with excitement. She quickly slips into her comfy, oversized J.T. Barrett jersey and Ohio State sweatpants, while the delicious aroma of fried chicken fills the air from the kitchen, thanks to her father’s cooking skills. With a strong sense of purpose, she moves through the house, turning on each television. As the last one flickers on, it also lights up her parents’ Ohio Statethemed basement.
Finally, she settles onto the couch, joining her four family members all decked out in Buckeye apparel, as they eagerly listen to the voices of ESPN College Gameday.
The Canton, Michigan natives are all set for “The Game.”
“That is probably the most stressed I am out of the 365 days of the year,” Smith said. “I feel anxiety from the moment I wake up.”
Smith, a first-year in journalism at Ohio State, said she now has the chance to share her passion for Ohio State football and dislike of the Wolverines alongside other Buckeye fans. Not all Ohio State students, however, share the same experience with the well-known rivalry. For some, this may be their final opportunity to engage with The Game as undergraduates at the university.
Aiden Howard, a fourth-year in biology, said he has never experienced a Buckeyes win versus Michigan since his academic tenure began at Ohio State in 2020.
Notably, he did attend the rivalry game in 2019 — Ohio State’s latest victory against the Wolverines — and said it was a day he’ll never forget.
“The most electric I’ve ever heard the ‘Shoe was on a fourth down,” Howard said. “Michigan was punting, and Ohio State blocked it and returned it for a touchdown. That place went bananas.”
Born in Orlando, Florida, Howard said he grew up as a Buckeyes fan because his father’s side of the family resided in Ohio. Since returning back to the state as a child, all he’s known is Ohio State sports, and he now feels proud to be a third-generation Buckeyes fanatic.
Howard said his love for the team even led him to join Block O — the official student section of Ohio State Athletics — in his second year as a leader of the organization’s football committee.
Jake Schrader, a first-year in communication technology, shares a similar level of enthusiasm for the rivalry game. Like Howard, Schrader’s uncle was a student at Ohio State in the 1970s, which inevitably caused him to become a devoted fan of the university’s sports teams, he said.
Schrader said his family often gathered at a friend’s place in the small town of Waverly, Ohio, to watch The Game. It soon became a family tradition.
“As long as I can remember, Saturdays in the fall were filled with watching Ohio State football,” Schrader said.
Now that he lives in Columbus, Schrader said his family will travel to join him and partake in local festivities ahead of The Game.
Schrader said he attended dozens of Ohio State football games in his youth, but never one against Michigan. He’ll now get the chance to experience that Nov. 30, no longer in the confines of a home, but in a jam-packed stadium of 100,000-plus fans.
“I’m really excited to actually experience it in person,” Schrader said. “Because, I mean, like I said, when I was younger, I would plan my whole week around it.”
Smith said she will also be in attendance. Though this will not be her first time at a rivalry game, it will mark her first visit to Ohio Stadium for the event.
“This is really one of the main reasons why I wanted to come to Ohio State: so I could be a part of this day, be a part of the culture,” Smith said.
A love that began with her mother graduating from the university has now been passed down to Smith — a passion she holds dear. And though it may be hard for some to grasp, there is a community in Columbus that truly gets it, Smith
Daria Smith grew up going to Ohio State games, and is now a student at the university.
said.
“I think that’s what makes the game so great, especially when it’s in Columbus,” Smith said. “You get to be around people who love Ohio State football just as much as you.”
Though they come from different backgrounds, these three students share a common bond that will tie them together now and always: their love for Ohio State and their excitement for the rivalry.
“I think it’ll be bittersweet and very redeeming as a senior, to just finally get them,” Howard said. “Regardless of where I go for medical school and afterwards, I’m always going to be a Buckeye.”
born a Buckeye.
Jake Schrader was
Like Smith and Howard, he holds the rivalry game close to home.
Aiden Howard attended the last game where Ohio State beat Michigan: 2019. The Buckeyes have yet to beat the Wolverines since.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DARIA SMITH
PHOTO COURTESY OF JAKE SCHRADER
PHOTO COURTESY OF AIDEN HOWARD
Buckeyes beat Notre Dame 34-23 to win 9th national title
Noah Weiskopf
Former Sports Editor
This story was originally published January 21 and updated for the Buckeye Bound Edition.
ATLANTA — Six weeks ago, the Buckeyes were written off for dead.
Now, they’re national champions.
Ohio against the world, indeed.
The Buckeyes secured their ninth national title Monday night, defeating Notre Dame 34-23 in the first year of the 12-team playoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The victory comes a decade after Ohio State claimed the first-ever, four-team College Football Playoff National Championship in 2015.
“After all the things that have been said throughout the year, these guys are going to be cemented as one of the best stories in Ohio State history and one of the best football teams ever,” head coach Ryan Day said.
SANDRA
It was a game that, at times, looked like a Buckeye blowout, and at other moments was close enough to make the Buckeye faithful nervous. In the end, Ohio State made big plays when it needed to, led by game MVP Will Howard, who completed 17-of-21 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns, and also rushed for 57 yards.
“When you get into big games like this, whoever is able to have the poise in the noise and be able to overcome adversity because it wasn’t always pretty today,” Howard said. “It wasn’t always perfect. It’s never going to be. But I think the team that we have and the leadership that we have with Coach Day, just the resilience this team has shown all year, it’s just unbelievable.”
Notre Dame took control with an opening drive that lasted nearly 10 minutes and spanned 18 plays, setting a new record for the CFP National Championship. Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard eventually ran up the middle for a touchdown, deflating the Ohio State fans in attendance.
“That first drive was kind of uncharacteristic of us,” linebacker Cody Simon said. “We expected to go out there and kind of dominate that first drive, and they had a good first 15 plays, and they were really getting into second and third, and shorts.”
With momentum seemingly against them, the Buckeyes responded in a big way, scoring 21 consecutive points.
On Ohio State’s first possession,
quarterback Howard found a wideopen Jeremiah Smith, who jogged in for a 5-yard touchdown.
Notre Dame’s next three drives in the first half went nowhere, as the Fighting Irish managed only 3 combined yards across seven plays.
Ohio State’s offense then put its collective foot on the accelerator.
Running back Quinshon Judkins stiff-armed an Irish defender into the ground, running through another en route to a 9-yard touchdown that put the Buckeyes up 14-7.
As the Ohio State offense drove down the field, a 15-yard catch by Smith marked Howard’s 13th straight pass connection to start the game, shattering the national championship record for most consecutive completions.
Less than two minutes later, Howard scrambled to his right and lobbed an off-kilter, cross-body throw to Judkins alone in the middle of the end zone, pushing the Buckeyes lead to 21-7 before the half.
Howard said that coming into the season, his offensive coaches emphasized making completions first and foremost to keep the ball moving and stay on schedule, a philosophy he stuck to in the biggest game of his career.
“It may not always be pretty, and you may have to go pick it up with your legs,” Howard said. “I’ve got to give all the credit to my guys, my O-line giving me time, and those guys, my receivers.
We’ve got the best receiving room in the country, it’s not even close.”
Out of the break, Notre Dame’s defense held up — for one play.
After an incomplete pass, Judkins took a handoff up the middle and exploded for 70 yards down to the Irish’s 5-yard line. Three plays later, Judkins punched in his third score of the game and extended Ohio State’s lead to 28-7.
Looking for something positive, Notre Dame faced a fourth-and-2 from its 37-yard line. The Irish sent out their punt unit, prompting a roar from Buckeye fans in Atlanta.
Wide receiver Brandon Inniss, positioned deep to field the punt, began jumping to alert his teammates to a possible fake.
Sure enough, Notre Dame quarterback Steve Angeli took the snap, rolled right and threw the ball toward receiver Jordan Faison, who could not handle it.
The incompletion prompted an eruption from the Ohio State sideline.
Jayden Fielding ended the Buckeye drive with a 46-yard field goal that put Ohio State up 31-7.
The Irish would not, however, go quietly.
Leonard found wideout Jaden Greathouse, who bounced off Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Matthews Jr. and took the ball 34 yards for a touchdown. A two-point conversion narrowed the Buckeyes’ lead to 31-15 with three min-
utes left in the third quarter. The Ohio State offense seemed ready to pad the lead with a scoring drive of their own, as wide receiver Emeka Egbuka took a touch pass and maneuvered through the defense. But approaching the red zone, Notre Dame linebacker Drayk Bowen punched the ball loose before Egbuka hit the ground, giving the ball back to the Irish.
The takeaway was Notre Dame’s 33rd of the season, and the Irish lead the country with 158 points off of turnovers.
A 30-yard completion by Leonard — and two defensive holding penalties — put the Irish inside Ohio State’s 10-yard line and eventually brought up fourth down.
Although the Irish were three for four on fourth-down conversions, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman sent kicker Mitch Jeter on for a short field goal that he promptly doinked off the left upright.
But an Ohio State punt gave the Irish another chance to make it a one-possession game, and they did just that.
A six-play drive and 30-yard touchdown catch for Greathouse cut the Buckeyes’ lead to 31-23.
The tension continued to build as Ohio State, needing a few first downs to clinch a national title, faced a thirdand-12 from its 34-yard line. Howard launched the ball down the field to Smith, who hauled in a 56-yard catch and set Ohio State up at the 10-yard line.
After several conservative rushing plays, Fielding put up a 33-yard field goal to clinch the game and the title.
“I just thought to myself, only one National Championship, you only get one opportunity a year to do this, let’s just lay it on the line and put it out there and be aggressive,” Day said. “And that’s what we did.”
In the end, Day said he feels immense pride toward his team and the program at large.
“I just can’t say enough about our guys and what they’ve overcome to get to this point. They now have something to show for it.”
Buckeye
1942, 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 1970, 2002 and 2014
The Ohio State football team lifted the National Championship Trophy as they celebrated a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame in the National Championship game Jan. 20.
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Webster’s Unmatched Journey: Two Sports, One Impactful Buckeye
Reilly Cahill
Sports Senior Writer
This story was originally published July 2 and has been updated for the Buckeye Bound edition.
In NCAA Division I sports, it’s rare to see an athlete compete in two sports.
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It’s even rarer to see one excel at both while thriving in the classroom and making a lasting impact in the community.
Makenna Webster did it all.
In her final season with the Buckeyes, Webster was named Ohio State’s 2025 Female Athlete of the Year. After earning first-team All-Big Ten and second-team All-American honors in field hockey, she led the women’s ice hockey team to a national championship berth, ranking in the top 15 nationally in both assists and points per game.
Webster described how appreciative she was to win the award with the number of talented athletes at Ohio State.
“Seeing that was pret ty special, espe cially at a place like Ohio State, where there’s such incredible athletes,” Webster said.
“Being named is a huge honor and I’m so grateful to even be up for it, let alone win.”
In her three year career with Ohio State, Webster finished 10th all-time in points for the Buckeyes’ field hockey program and reached the national championship game in all three seasons with the ice hockey team, winning the title in 2024.
Muzerall said that in her nine years of coaching at Ohio State, Webster was among the most impressive athletes she’s ever coached.
“I think Makenna will go down as probably one of the most remarkable athletes I’ve ever coached, in the aspect of being able to excel in very different sports,” Muzerall said.
But Webster’s legacy extends well beyond the field and ice.
She was awarded the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 2025, a prestigious recognition given to two student-athletes from each conference school for excellence on and off the field.
Ohio State women’s ice hockey head coach Nadine Muzerall detailed Webster’s demanding schedule.
“To play in a field hockey game Friday, and then to turn around playing a totally different sport on ice Saturday, and then play again on Sunday back in field hockey, just shows her mental toughness to be able to do that and excel in school,” Muzerall said.
In January, she was nominated for the 2025 Hockey Humanitarian Award, which recognizes student-athletes in college hockey for their community service. Fluent in American Sign Language, Webster volunteered with the American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association’s Stan Mikita Hockey School, helping young athletes pursue their dreams of making the USA National Deaf Women’s Hockey Team.
Webster’s career with the Buckeyes may be over, but her athletic journey is far from done.
On June 24, she was selected 17th overall by the New York Sirens in the Professional Women’s Hockey League draft. The PWHL, launched in 2023, features eight teams—four in the U.S. and four in Canada.
Webster was one of six Buckeyes drafted.
“I thought it was pretty awesome that I got drafted, but seeing my teammates get drafted, it was just so emotional,” Webster said.
Webster also has her sights set on representing the United States in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles as a member of the U.S. Women’s National Field Hockey Team.
Beyond her playing career, Webster looks to grow the game and serve the deaf community, as she recently accepted a position as assistant coach of the National Deaf Women’s Hockey Team.
“After my [playing] career, I’m really focused on that and helping fundraise and develop girls that are deaf or hard of hearing within that community,” she said. “Trying to get more girls playing and more involved to be able to be successful in the future.”
Despite all the accolades Webster racked up with the Buckeyes, she said her parents kept her grounded with a simple message:
“People might remember you as an athlete, but they mostly remember you as who you are as a person.”
PHOTO: NORMAN AI
PHOTO COURTESY OF OHIO STATE ATHLETICS
PHOTO COURTESY OF OHIO STATE ATHLETICS
Aug. 30th vs. Texas @ home
Ohio State 2025 football schedule
Sept. 13 vs. Ohio University @ home
Oct. 4th vs. Minnesota @ home
Oct. 18th vs. Wisconsin @ away
Nov. 8th vs. Purdue @ away
Nov. 22 vs. Rutgers @ home
Sept. 6th vs. Grambling State @ home
Sept. 27th vs. Washington @ away
Oct. 11th vs. Illinois @ away
Nov. 1st vs. Penn State @ home
Nov. 15th vs. UCLA @ home
Nov. 29 vs. TTUN @ away
What to expect from the 2025 Buckeyes
Jack Diwik Managing Sports Editor
The 2024-25 Ohio State Buckeyes climbed to the top of the college football landscape and captured the program’s ninth national championship in a legendary college football playoff run.
Now, the million-dollar question is – can they do it again? The short answer is yes, and the longer answer is absolutely they can.
This team does not plan on having a national championship hangover. While the program lost 15 of its 22 starters, including a staggering 14 who were selected in the NFL draft, which tied a school record, the 202526 Buckeyes have a completely new identity. So much so that just two months after claiming the trophy, it was reported that team members asked the school to remove national championship memorabilia around the Buckeyes’ football facility. Winning breeds comfort. Comfort kills hunger.
While the Buckeyes lost key pieces, such as quarterback Will Howard and the entire defensive line, there is plenty of talent returning, including generational superstars, proven veterans, and new players ready to prove why they chose Ohio State.
Offensively, there will be a new man taking the helm from Howard, and it looks to be either sophomore Alabama transfer Julian Sayin or junior Lincoln Kienzholz. While it is expected Sayin will ultimately get the nod to become the starter week one, head coach Ryan Day said the two were “neck and neck” going into April’s spring game. While both players were highly touted recruits and have incredible potential, they both have zero career collegiate starts, which creates a shadow of uncertainty.
However, life for a new quarterback becomes a whole lot easier when you have the No. 1-rated receiving corps, according to PFF. Larger than life mega-star Jeremiah Smith is primed to follow up his historic freshman season with another masterful campaign. Smith is the No. 1-ranked college football player com-
ing into this season, according to PFF, and is expected to make a run at a Heisman trophy. Opposite him, junior break-out Carnell Tate (733 yards, 4 TDs as a sophomore) is ready for a full-time role, while slot man Brandon Inniss adds separation and playmaking. Backing them up are Mylan Graham and freshman Phillip Bell — scouted and ready.
While the Buckeyes lost two 1,000-yard rushers in TreyVon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins to the NFL, Day and company wasted no time reloading. Sophomore James Peoples is expected to take over lead duties after the spring break, while West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson and redshirt freshman Bo Jackson provide depth. If the offensive line — anchored by returning guard Luke Montgomery and tackle Austin Siereveld — can gel early this fall, whichever quarterback emerges will have room to work.
Defensively, the spotlight shines on top safety Caleb Downs, who returns to patrol the back end, and linebacker Sonny Styles, a clutch sideline-to-sideline leader. Cornerbacks Jermaine Mathews Jr. and Davison Igbinosun return sharp, and the defensive front has been bolstered with portal additions like UNC’s Beau Atkinson and Purdue’s Max Klare, keeping edge pressure strong. One name that Buckeye fans should keep an eye on is sophomore linebacker Arvell Reese, who showed flashes of greatness in his first year, racking up 43 total tackles and proving he can be a big-time run-stopper for Ohio State.
While the roster is brimming with talent, the Buckeyes will have to navigate through stiff competition to once again have a shot at another playoff run.
Ohio State opens at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30 versus Texas in a rematch of last season’s Cotton Bowl classic — a statement game to start the year. After that, the Buckeyes will have three out-of-conference home games followed by their first Big Ten matchup in Seattle against Washington.
If Ohio State handles business early — especially against Texas and out west at Washington — they’ll carry that momentum into a ruthless October stretch that includes road trips to a hyped-up Illinois squad and an always-hostile Wisconsin crowd. November doesn’t offer much breathing room either, with major showdowns against Penn State and UCLA waiting in Columbus before the Buckeyes travel to Ann Arbor to try to snap a four-game losing streak against their archrivals, Michigan, in the 121st installment of The Game.
The bottom line is this — going back-to-back isn’t supposed to be easy. Only a handful of teams in history have pulled it off, and the path this year is as unforgiving as ever. But this isn’t a group built to flinch. The names may be new, the faces younger, but the standard hasn’t moved. Ryan Day knows exactly what it takes to win it all — now the challenge is doing it again, with a different cast and the same expectations. Every contender in the country has Ohio State circled. The target is on their back, and they’re not running from it. They’re owning it. Because this team isn’t looking to repeat itself — they’re looking to reassert themselves. And they don’t plan on giving up the crown any time soon.
Did you know?
A round white decal, about the size of a quarter, with a green depiction of a buckeye leaf is applied to Ohio State football helmets for big plays and consistency on the field. This tradition started in 1967 when Woody Hayes and longtime trainer Ernie Biggs changed the look of the Ohio State uniforms.
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Why Choose a Slavic Language at Ohio State?
Ohio State's Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures offers robust programs in Russian and Slavic studies that combine language proficiency with cultural literacy.
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Explore literature, film, and cultural studies, including unique courses like “Vampires, Monstrosity, and Evil” and “[Alter]Native Russias: Histories, Cultures, and Politics in Siberia and the North”
Flexible Learning Options: Benefit from in-person, self-paced, and online courses to fit your schedule
Extracurricular Engagement: Join the Russian Club, participate in the Kapustnik talent show, and attend language tables to enhance your learning experience
Career Advancement: Combine your major or minor with fields like Business, Political Science, or International Studies to broaden career prospects in government, education, and beyond
Scholarship Opportunities: Access various grants and fellowships to support your studies and research
Carter Kohli LTV Campus Producer
Embark on a journey that enriches your academic experience and prepares you for a global career
Sign up for classes and declare your Russian Major or Slavic Language Minor today!
Email Spencer.4@osu.edu or Slavic@osu.edu with questions
The Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures (SEELC) Hagerty Hall Room 400 Slavic@osu.edu Slavic.osu.edu
FROM LTV:
Fresh off a national championship win, Ohio State football coach Ryan Day joined former Sports Editor Noah Weiskopf in The Lantern’s newsroom for an exclusive, one-onone interview.
Students from Iran must navigate a maze of visa restrictions, travel to a neighboring country for interviews and wait months for approval — all while political tensions and ever-evolving U.S. policies add additional layers of complexity.
Brody Alexander, a 17-yearold local bagpiper, entertains crowds at Ohio State football tailgates. Playing the bagpipes for over 10 years, Alexander said one of his favorite aspects of performing at tailgates is the excitement he receives from surprised fans.
PHOTO DESK
PHOTO DESK Minor in Law and Public Policy
Useful for careers in law, government, advocacy or pubic service.
Gain skills to navigate complex policy challenges, advocate for effective governance and drive meaningful change by taking courses from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs and the Moritz College of Law.
Learn More
Sandra Fu Managing Photo Editor
Liam Ahern Sports Photo Editor
Faith Schneider Arts & Life Photo Editor
Daniel Bush Campus Photo Editor
From the photo desk:
SANDRA FU | MANAGING PHOTO EDITOR
SANDRA FU | MANAGING PHOTO EDITOR
LIAM AHERN | SPORTS PHOTO EDITOR
SANDRA FU | MANAGING PHOTO EDITOR
SANDRA FU | MANAGING PHOTO EDITOR
CARLY DAMON | LANTERN FILE PHOTO
CARLY DAMON | LANTERN FILE PHOTO
MACY ERICKSON | LANTERN FILE PHOTO
ANTHONY HANNA | LANTERN FILE PHOTO
ANTHONY HANNA | LANTERN FILE PHOTO
FAITH SCHNEIDER | ARTS & LIFE PHOTO EDITOR
DANIEL BUSH
DANIEL BUSH | CAMPUS PHOTO EDITOR
When you have an illness or injury that can’t wait, Ohio State offers three close-to-campus options to connect you to the exact care your need.
• Express Care for common, less urgent conditions
• Orthopedic Urgent Care for sports- and activity-related injuries
• Advanced Urgent Care for serious, non-life-threatening conditions
