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The Lantern - Sept. 17th 2026

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Thursday September 17th, 2026

THE LANTERN

Issue 30, Year 145

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The independent student voice of the Ohio State university since 1881.

Ohio State receives “F” in annual FIRE free speech rankings

Cameron Dewey Lantern Reporter

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hio State received an overall score of 58.18/100 on this year’s Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression college free speech rankings, placing it at an “F” score. Out of 261 ranked schools, Ohio State was placed 174th, 50 spots lower than 2025, according to the ranking. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression – or FIRE – is an organization that aims to defend and sustain the rights of Americans to free speech and free thought since 1999, according to the organization’s website. The group conducts College Free Speech Rankings every year to reflect shifting free speech climates on campuses. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression’s 2026 methodology said the rankings were based on six student-survey components, university written policies, the Chicago Statement, institutional neutrality and campus speech controversies. The organization then combines these results to come up with an overall score. Among the 333 Ohio State students surveyed, 44 percent of them said they have held back from expressing opinions on campus at least once or twice a month. Twenty-five percent of students said they would feel very uncomfortable publicly disagreeing with a professor about a controversial political topic and 22 percent would feel very uncomfortable voicing controversial opinions in an in-class discussion. More than half of surveyed students said it is difficult to have an open and honest conversation about the Israeli/ Palestinian conflict, at 55 percent. In

another survey question, 53 percent of students said it is difficult to have an open and honest conversation about President Donald Trump. Chris Cade, a third-year in political science, public policy analysis and public policy and management and President of the Undergraduate Student Government, said he was not surprised when he saw the score.

“I did expect us to get an F with the downstream effects of [Senate Bill 1] and the whole chalking ban,” Cade said.

Ohio State banned chalking in August 2025, per prior Lantern reportCREDIT: JAYDEN ZHU | LANTERN FILE PHOTO ing. Many students used chalking as a Protestors hold signs at The Oval advocating for free speech in November way to advertise for events and clubs, 2025. spreading messages and voicing politsure in Ohio right now,” Cade said. for students to have these debates,” ical opinions. Senate Bill 1 was passed on March “This isn’t coming from the institution. Cade said. “There is nothing that is in25, 2025 and went into effect on June It’s a lot of pressure from the state gov- stitutional-wide, like today is a day of 27 of that year. The bill bans diversi- ernment and from the federal govern- free speech or something where there’s this list of activities going on.” ty, equity and inclusion programming, ment.” Ohio State spokesperson Chris Cade said students should continue faculty striking, limits the teaching of Booker said in an email that the unito use their voice even when it is uncontroversial subjects and requires versity remains committed to protectcomfortable. course syllabi to be public online, per ing free speech. “Even though everyone hates the prior Lantern reporting. “Ohio State has an unwavering comchalking ban, continue voicing that Cade said the chalking ban is one mitment to free speech and freedom of concern because the only way that it’s of the reasons the FIRE score was low expression,” Booker said. “We respect going to change is if we speak up as this year. the rights of our students, faculty and students,” Cade said. “If we let these Cade said he believes the political staff to express their views about isissues fizzle out and die, in two years climate involving higher education in sues that are important to them.” nobody will even know what chalking Ohio has contributed to students feelCade said he believes the universiwas.” ing pressured or unable to share conty is able to take steps to improve its troversial opinions. “Many others of Ohio’s public uni- score. Read more on our website! “I think [repealing] the chalking versities dropped substantially and I Check out think that’s because of [Senate Bill 1] ban, but I also think providing more www.thelantern.com and because of just the political pres- institutional-level, sponsored events


Thursday September 17th, 2026 | www.thelantern.com | 2

CAMPUS

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“The Voice” Runner-up comes to Columbus

Runway homage to Patricia DiNunzio

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To advertise go to thelantern.com

Grace Swihart Lantern Reporter

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hio State announced a new partnership with Google Cloud this month that will plant a dedicated Google space on campus, one of the largest deals of its kind, as one of the first physical Google outposts on a college campus anywhere. “Ohio State is pleased to partner with Google Cloud to establish an on-campus space in Ohio State’s Innovation District,” Dawn Larzelere, associate vice president of operations for the university’s Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge, said in a statement. The partnership gives Ohio State researchers access to Google’s AI models and a direct line to its DeepMind lab. CREDIT: DAN KITWOOD/GETTY IMAGES VIA TNS These tools will be used to transform The Google DeepMind offices after the announcement that Founder and CEO research from biomedical engineering Demis Hassabis and senior research scientist John M. Jumper received the to earth sciences to the humanities, ac- Nobel Prize for Chemistry on Oct. 9, 2024, in London. cording to Larzelere. It’s also the latest addition to a lic Sector will accelerate research in ing institutions like Ohio State to exfast-moving stretch of AI announce- a range of fields, from biomedical en- plore how AI and advanced technoloments at Ohio State. The list includes gineering to earth sciences to the hu- gies can transform academics, research the AI Fluency Initiative, the AI(X) manities, through access to premier AI and the broader campus experience.” Students should expect internships Hub, the Arts and Humanities AI Insti- models, high-powered computing capabilities and collaboration with Gooand more out of this deal, according to tute and Buckeye Bio Launch, accordgle’s DeepMind,” Johnson said. Larzelere. She said that there are plans ing to Larzelere’s statement. Matthew Schneider, managing difor personalized AI assistants, career University spokesperson Ben Johnrector of U.S. education, state and local tools and what she called “unique exson said in an email that the benefits government for Google Public Sector, perimental learning opportunities” for the university include a research echoed that enthusiasm in an emailed meant to follow students through gradambassador program from Google statement to the Lantern. uation. Public Sector, a first-of-its-kind intern“We are thrilled to expand our reLarzelere said further details are ship program offering partnerships lationship with The Ohio State Univercoming at a launch event this fall. with Ohio State students and new tools sity through this new collaboration,” This is an ongoing story, and The to assist students from admission to Schneider said. “Google is committed Lantern will update as more informagraduation and beyond. to working closely with forward-thinktion is obtained. “The partnership with Google Pub-


Thursday September 17th, 2026 | @thelanternosu | 3

Ohio State partners with Trump administration for manufacturing workforce program: What students need to know Reegan Davis Managing Campus Editor

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hio State is a leading partner with the Trump administration, Stanford University and six other universities for a national program that intends to support American college students in manufacturing. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced and launched Foundry School in Washington, D.C. with Ohio State President Ravi Bellamkonda in attendance on Sept. 3. Foundry School is a training program for entrepreneurs, engineers, technicians and industrial leaders to rebuild manufacturing in America, according to the fact sheet from the U.S. Department of State. “I’m very grateful for this effort to bring manufacturing back to the U.S.,” Bellamkonda said at a State Department ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 3. “Coming from Ohio, it’s a big part of what’s making Ohio thrive and we’re happy to play our role in contributing to that.” Foundry School is designed to help fill an estimated 3.8 million workers needed by 2033 in order to boost manufacturing roles to produce items such as semiconductors, and also to bolster the workforce in the defense and energy sectors, according to the Department of State. “Some of the people who will fill those jobs are sitting in a high school classroom this morning,” Jacob Helberg, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, said at the launch ceremony. “That number is a promise kept.” Ohio State is a leading partner of the new program, partnering with Arizona State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Pennsylvania State University, University of Kansas, Vanderbilt University and Washington University in St. Louis. “It’s not proof in terms of us establishing to the country about Ohio State and who we are,” Bellamkonda said at a Sept. 3 university Board of Trustees

meeting. “It’s the country asking us to think about how important we are in its mission in re-industrialization, manufacturing and materials.” Vance, an Ohio State alum who attended the university from Sept. 2007 - Aug. 2009, said that the program was in the works for a long time. “I’m very proud that we have Ohio State front and center, along with Stanford, Penn State and a few other great universities,” Vance said. On each campus in the program, the program will run 17 sessions, each taught by founders and CEOs from advanced manufacturing firms, according to Ohio State’s announcement of the program. The curriculum will begin this year on supporting campuses and a core program, hosted by Stanford University, will start in January 2027, the Ohio State announcement said. The Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence is a branch of Ohio State’s engineering program that bridges the gap between academic research and industrial manufacturing, according to a university website. CDME operates a 45,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that houses over $20 million in industrial-scale equipment. “It is the largest manufacturing classroom in the country, I believe,” Bellamkonda said at the launch ceremony. “We have 100 different companies at any given time, 150 engineers, mate-

rial science, chemists, physicists working together and scientists.” Helberg said that after “talking heads” insisted that manufacturing was gone and that the country would not be able to afford bringing it back. He added that Trump proved them wrong. “As the saying now goes, President Trump was right about everything,” Helberg said. “America cannot afford not to bring manufacturing back. No president has done more to reset the table for the American worker than President Trump. To tell the world: if you want to sell here, you build here.” The program is still in its early stages. CREDIT: JACK WESTERHEIDE | LANTERN FILE PHOTO

Vice President and Ohio State alum J.D. Vance speaks to a crowd as part of Provost Bruce McPheron’s Lecture Series at Ohio State’s Mershon Auditorium in 2017.


Thursday September 17th, 2026 | www.thelantern.com | 4

ARTS & LIFE

“The Voice” runner-up, Bodie, brings headlining tour to Columbus Friday Mia Ross Arts & Life Senior Writer

— later realizing it was more just selfish ambition and pride,” Bodie said. “I’m in a season of my life now where, odie, the runner-up of Season 22 if God doesn’t want it for my life, I don’t of NBC’s “The Voice,” will bring his want it for my life. It’s brought so much genre-blending sound to The Summit freedom and vision for the direction of Music Hall, located at 2210 Summit my life, and I’ve never been more fulSt., Friday, as a stop in his first headfilled and free and at peace.” lining tour. The relationship that BodBodie will take the stage ie said he has developed with for his Columbus show at 7 his religion in his personal p.m., alongside openers Keep life carries into his music. Warm and Ash Wiseman. “Outside of the music The show comes as the singthing, I definitely carry a deer-songwriter prepares for sire to pastor and lead people the release of his upcoming within the church and outside album, “SELLOUT.” of the church — people that Bodie first gained national love God and hate God — and attention in 2022 when he auI think God’s given me cerditioned for “The Voice” with tain giftings to make people The Fray’s “You Found Me,” feel comfortable to talk about earning a four-chair turn those things, even if they from the season’s judges — they’re not used to it,” Bodie Blake Shelton, John Legend, said. “Anytime I get around Gwen Stefani and Camila Cayoung adults, it’s just exciting bello. He ultimately finished because the ones that care to the season as the runner-up talk to me, I’d love to love on after joining Shelton’s team. and lead by example and enSince his time on the show, courage.” Bodie has continued to exAdding to the momentum periment with his music. of his first headlining tour, CREDIT: COURTESY OF CHRISTINA KOTSAMANIDIS Raised in Los Angeles Bodie has been nominated Bodie’s new album, “SELLOUT,” will be released Jan. by his parents who were infor New Artist of the Year at 29th. volved in film and stage arts, the 57th Annual Gospel MuBodie said his parents are what helped according to the university’s website. sic Association Dove Awards. develop his early passion for music. He said teaching gives him an oppor“This is definitely the biggest award “Living in a state that’s so centered tunity to connect with young adults I’ve ever been nominated for,” Bodie around entertainment and performing outside of performing. said. “It’s [the] fruit of what I’ve been and art is super liberating and inspirBodie emphasized the personal working so hard towards, and I’m going, so I think it just enabled me,” Bod- freedom he found in establishing a re- ing up against some of my friends who ie said. “But more than that, it was my lationship with his faith. are just incredible, so it’s just an honor parents. I had very artsy parents in a “I spent a lot of years chasing what to even be in the category.” very artsy state that really enabled me seemed to be the right things in my life Keep Warm will join Bodie as an

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to be me, and that manifested as being a musician that expresses myself and how I feel.” Bodie attended Vanguard University in Orange County, California, where he now is on staff as an adjunct professor for the College of Arts & Sciences,

On page 6 Impact of Buckeyes’ early season loss Bodie poses for his new album, “SELLOUT,” which will be released Jan. 29th.

CREDIT: COURTESY OF CHRISTINA KOTSAMANIDIS

opener for his Columbus show. The band began in a garage in 2023, initially playing covers before making the jump to live performances. Since taking the stage, the band has opened for notable acts, including Mike Mains & The Branches and Bleach. For Kevin Campbell, vocalist of Keep Warm, he said playing shows in college towns and cities brings a sense of nostalgia, as he grew up on house shows. “We all come from different places, different backgrounds, different worldviews and it’s really this beautiful thing to get together and just sing the same song,” Campbell said. “There’s a lot of unity in a world of division found in concerts, and I think college students are the best crowd surfers. They throw the best mosh pits, so we have high expectations for the Columbus show.” “SELLOUT,” to be released Jan. 29, is an 11-track, alt-rock album, incorporating pop and hip-hop influences, mirroring the feel of Bodie’s latest single, “IDOLS.” Tickets for the show can be purchased on DICE for $28.12, according to the website.


Thursday September 17th, 2026 | @thelanternosu | 5

Runway to Awareness fashion show celebrates Patricia DiNunzio’s legacy Thursday Paige Puhalsky LTV Campus Producer

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n November 2008, Patricia DiNunzio was relieved when doctors told her the cyst on her ovary was benign. Four years later, she would lose her battle with ovarian cancer. Prior to her death in 2012, DiNunzio’s diagnosis inspired her to encourage women to become their own health advocates. She shared that message through Runway to Awareness, a fashion show she founded in 2010, according to the website, to raise awareness about ovarian cancer and support women in their battles against it. The 16th annual Runway to Awareness fashion show will be held Thursday from 6 - 9 p.m. at The Fives event venue — located at 550 Reach Blvd. Connie Leal, owner of Leál and the designer for the Runway to Awareness fashion show, said she became friends with DiNunzio, as she was a longtime customer of Leál. About 10 years into their friendship, DiNunzio was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Leal said, and she decided she wanted to help other women be more aware of the early signs of the disease to advocate for themselves. Leal said the two decided to create a fashion show together to raise awareness and share information with women who were in similar situations. Inspired by DiNunzio’s love for the brand, Leál provides clothing that is worn for the fashion show, said Anamarie DiNunzio-Rayburn, DiNunzio’s sister. DiNunzio-Rayburn said the show’s models are physicians who care for cancer patients and ovarian cancer survivors. According to Leal, at the fashion show, each model wears three different outfits. The first is typically casual, the second is either a career or vacation look and the third is a black-tie outfit. The clothing seen on-stage is cho-

sen purposefully, to reflect each mod- et sales, donations and auctioned items vatory, the Columbus Blue Jackets, the el’s personality, Leal said. During to The James Gynecologic Oncology at Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh their fittings, the models browse the Mill Run in 2025, and the money was Steelers. store and pick out pieces they are nat- used to purchase thermally regulated DiNunzio-Rayburn said the event urally drawn to, which are then worn chemo chairs for the hospital’s chemo- continues to remember people who on stage. Leál’s personal stylists help therapy center. have been affected by ovarian cancer. the models put their outfits together, The other half of the funds raised In 2026, two longtime supporters of taking time to help them each feel spe- supports Ohio Health’s loss and griev- Runway to Awareness, Katie Kline and cial and glamorous. Sandy Byers, lost their battle to “We don’t let them model [the] ovarian cancer. plain and ordinary,” Leal said. Kline had established her own The most rewarding part of ovarian cancer fund at Ohio State, the event, Leal said, is seeing the while Byers would purchase a tamodels experience a night where ble each year so nurses from The they can focus on feeling confiJames Gynecologic Oncology at dent rather than on their cancer Mill Run could attend the event diagnosis. and be part of the celebration, DiWhile the event is centered Nunzio-Rayburn said. around fashion, organizers also Leal said this year’s show will use the night to educate attendees feature fall fashion, including velon ovarian cancer. Information vet, silk and brown tones, along about the signs and symptoms with more glamorous pieces feaof ovarian cancer are placed on turing ostrich feathers, sequins every table for attendees to take and other embellishments. Dehome, DiNunzio-Rayburn said. spite the celebratory atmosphere, Ovarian cancer has limited Leal said the event always comes screening tools and can be difficult back to remembering and comto detect early, DiNunzio-Raymemorating the women behind burn said, as many patients are the fashion show. diagnosed at stage three or four. “I’m excited that, after [DiThe goal of the fashion show Nunzio] being gone for more is to empower women to recogthan 10 years, it still features her nize potential warning signs and dream and represents the friendsymptoms, work closely with their ship that we had,” Leal said. “That physicians and advocate for thempart is not diminished even after selves, DiNunzio-Rayburn said. all these years.” DiNunzio-Rayburn started a The event, Leal said, is not CREDIT: COURTESY OF ANAMARIE DINUNZIO-RAYBURN nursing scholarship program with meant to be a sad occasion. the money raised from the fash- Patricia A. DiNunzio for a 2012 calendar pho“With each year, we ion show, she said, that each year, toshoot, “Be your own Advocate,” for women battling ovarian cancer. can maybe prevent awards $3,000 to help an Ohio nurse pursue an advanced degree. one woman from getHowever, this year, two participants ing programs, including Stepping will receive the scholarship, as both Stones, a children’s grief program, Di- ting diagnosed too late,” Leal said. “We’ve never lost the applicants were highly qualified. Nunzio-Rayburn said. point of why we’re doing this.” “I wanted to provide an opportuniA silent auction is also available Tickets to the Runway to Awarety for those caregivers that are so ded- online through the website, allowing ness fashion show are available online icated to cancer patients to be able to those interested to bid without attendthrough the show’s website, and will be go back and get that advanced degree,” ing the event. More than 65 items have sold at the door for $125. said DiNunzio-Rayburn. been contributed to the auction by DiNunzio-Rayburn said she gave organizations such as the Columbus $10,000 of the funds raised from tick- Museum of Art, Franklin Park Conser-


Thursday September 17th, 2026 | www.thelantern.com | 6

SPORTS

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DeepMind AI is coming to campus

Ohio State partners with Trump administration

How Ohio State’s early-season loss to Texas can impact the rest of its season

Reilly Cahill Managing Sports Editor

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hio State’s loss at Texas did more than drop the Buckeyes from the No. 1 ranked team in the country. It exposed a problem head coach Ryan Day had emphasized throughout the offseason: finishing games in the fourth quarter. Ohio State surrendered a 20-point lead and was outscored 21-0 in the final period of its 24-23 loss, but with a more demanding schedule ahead, the defeat could become either an early warning or a lesson for a team pursuing a College Football Playoff run. “This year’s team is going to have potentially three or four games like this that they’re going to have to be better in the fourth quarter,” ESPN college football senior writer Adam Rittenberg said. “That can definitely be a teaching point, a place to learn and [to] do things differently.” The Buckeyes went undefeated in their 2025 regular season, but did not face a single second-half deficit until the Big Ten championship, in which they ultimately fell 13-10 to Indiana. Ohio State then lost to Miami 24-14 in the quarterfinal of the College Football Playoff. This year’s regular schedule provides a different test. After facing No. 4 Texas last weekend, Ohio State still faces five teams who are currently rankes in the AP top 25 poll. “I think Ohio State, in hindsight, was hurt by a schedule last year that didn’t challenge itself enough,” Rittenberg said. “This year [Ohio State] could

really benefit from a schedule that, at least as we sit here now, looks like there’s going to be a lot of challenges.” Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated NFL senior writer and an Ohio State graduate, said dealing with a loss early in the season can allow the Buckeyes, who do not play another ranked team until Oct. 3 when they meet Iowa in Kinnick Stadium, to try to change personnel or schemes. “You have a little flexibility, not much, but a little flexibility here to maybe tinker with some things that you wouldn’t have tinkered with otherwise,” Breer said. Two seasons ago, when the College Football Playoff expanded from four to 12 teams for the first time, Ohio State hoisted the national championship CREDIT: LIAM AHERN | MANAGING PHOTO EDITOR trophy in Atlanta, despite having two Defensive back Jermaine Mathews Jr. (7) celebrates with linebacker Riley regular season losses. The Buckeyes, Breer explained, Pettijohn (5) after making a stop against Texas on fourth down. The Buckeyes lost to Texas 24-23. were able to bounce back from previThe 2026 Buckeyes, who lost by one ous losses with the help of the leaders the Buckeyes’ program history that they had seven or more team captains. point in their first road game of the on the team. Following the loss to Texas, the em- season, now look to become the third “That was a veteran team and they had guys who’d been around for four phasis of leadership from those cap- team to join that list. “We have everything we need here years in the locker room,” Breer said. tains and other leaders on Ohio State’s and we just need to put it all together “So I think, now, the question be- team has become crucial. “When you have that many cap- in a way that we can go make a chamcomes, ‘Who are those guys going to be tains, that’s why you do that,” Ritten- pionship run,” Day said on Tuesday. for [Ohio State]?’” Prior to the 2026 season, Ohio State berg said. “It’s not some participation Stay updated through announced quarterback Julian Sayin, award or just to make people happy, offensive lineman Austin Siereveld, you do that for times like this.” the Ohio State Buckeyes Since the College Football Playoff linebacker Payton Pierce, defensive football season with our end Kenyatta Jackson Jr., safety Jaylen was established, only two teams have Instagram! Check out McClain and wide receivers Brandon lost a game in September and went @thelanternosu! Inniss and Jeremiah Smith as team on to win the national championship: Ohio State in 2014 and Alabama in captains. It marked just the seventh time in 2015.


Thursday September 17th, 2026 | @thelanternosu | 7

Women’s volleyball: Schoonover, Hoying continue Mintonette’s connection with Ohio State Blake Anderson Lantern Reporter

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ver a decade of playing volleyball together, Ohio State freshmen Alia Schoonover and Layla Hoying are experiencing something new this year: going to the same school. Schoonover and Hoying began playing together at Mintonette Sports Volleyball Club, a club team out of Columbus, Ohio, when they were around 11-years-old. From then until now, the two were teammates on their club team and are once again at Ohio State. Their path from Mintonette to Ohio State adds another chapter to a connection that has developed between the Columbus-area club team and the Buckeyes over the past several years. Head coach Jen Flynn Oldenburg said Ohio State did not intentionally create the relationship. And yet, it has steadily grown as Mintonette has continued to develop high-level volleyball players in central Ohio. “It was not a relationship I found,” Oldenburg said. “It was something that developed over the years.” Three former Mintonette players joined the Buckeyes from 2014-2019, before Oldenburg was hired in 2020. Prior to coaching the Buckeyes, Oldenburg had experience with Mintonette’s program. She was an assistant coach on the U.S. Girls Youth National Team in 2019, which featured Mintonette and future Ohio State players Emily Londot and Sydney Taylor. Schoonover and Hoying have become the eighth and ninth players to join the Buckeyes from Mintonette’s program. Oldenburg said recruiting local players is important when they have the talent to compete at the Big Ten level. “I think you want to retain the local talent,” Oldenburg said. “You want to keep the best kids in Ohio and bring them to Ohio State.” For Schoonover and Hoy-

ing, Mintonette provided experience against some of the best club teams in the country before they even reached college. “Everyone was committed to a big D1 school,” Schoonover said. Schoonover played eight years with Mintonette, while Hoying played six. Their roster shifted little from year to year, allowing many of the same players to stay together throughout their club careers. The group eventually won two AAU national championships, which inspired Hoying’s collegiate volleyball aspirations. “For me, it was always the dream, but I think it became more of a reality for both of us when our team had our first national title, which was when we were 14 [-years-old],” Hoying said. Despite Mintonette’s proximity to Ohio State, which is around a twenty minute drive to campus, Schoonover and Hoying said Mintonette owner and club director, Max Miller, focused on finding the right college for each player, even if that school was not Ohio State. Still, Schoonover and Hoying had grown up attending Ohio State events and already understood what playing for the

Buckeyes meant. The familiarity extended to the coaching staff. Londot, a former Mintonette player and an Ohio State standout from 2020-24, has taken on a new role with the Buckeyes as the director of player development. Schoonover and Hoying said seeing someone they once knew from the Mintonette gym now working with them at Ohio State is another reminder of the connection between the two programs. “It was an easy transition for us,” Hoying said. “It was like one family to another family.” Oldenburg, however, said the club that a player comes from doesn’t determine whether Ohio State recruits her. “You want the best talent,” Oldenburg said. For Schoonover and Hoying, the transition has included more than adjusting to a higher level of volleyball. While the two players spent most of their childhoods together and attended different schools, which created a different experience, they now attend

classes together and spend most of their days around the same team. Schoonover and Hoying described Mintonette as a family and said Ohio State has a similar culture. Their years together have also created an understanding on the court that Oldenburg said does not require much explanation. She said the two already know what the other is capable of and can rely on experiences they shared before arriving at Ohio State. “We grew up together,” Schoonover said. “We grew up in the gym.”

CREDIT: ROMAN GABRIEL | FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER

A pregame huddle featuring Alia Schoonover (8) and Layla Hoying (14), wearing a warmup. Hoying missed Ohio State’s 3-2 win over Youngstown State 3-2 on Sept. 13 due to injury.


Thursday September 17th, 2026 | www.thelantern.com | 8

YOU CAN REGISTER TO VOTE AT YOUR CAMPUS ADDRESS As a student, you’re eligible to vote here regardless of where you grew up. Voting at school is easier and gives you a say in what’s happening where you actually live.

i Ohio Voter registration deadline

October 5

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SCAN TO REGISTER

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