Datish father and son are OSU proud

By Greg Gulas

Mike and Doug both played for the Buckeyes’ football team.

BOARDMAN — Playing for Ohio State and legendary football coach Woody Hayes was one of the greatest life experiences for Howland native Mike Datish.

Watching his son, Doug, perform for four seasons under the tutelage of Jim Tressel was an equally gratifying experience.

Speaking to the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s weekly luncheon meeting at the Blue Wolf Banquet Center, Datish talked of the similarities between Hayes and Tressel but added that the recruiting procedure was complete different.

“Both Woody Hayes and Jim Tressel cared about you first, as a student and second, as an athlete. They wanted you to use the university to get your degree and then put it to good use for a successful life after football.

“Football was a means to achieve that end in order to become a good, solid, productive citizen,” Datish said.

The Datish’s, one of a handful of father-son combinations to play for OSU, participated in nine bowl games.

Mike, a 1973 Howland graduate who lettered at center for Hayes, took in three Rose Bowls and an Orange Bowl prior to his 1977 graduation, while Doug, a 2003 Howland graduate, was a redshirt freshman who was a part of two Fiesta Bowls, the Alamo Bowl and two BCS championship games.

Doug started at three different positions on the offensive line during a stellar career.

Datish said his son went through a totally different recruiting experience, from the facilities, the weight and locker rooms and the nearly $5 million renovation and additions he viewed to the Woody Hayes Athletic Complex was an eye-opener compared to his visit.

“Placing Doug’s photo and the pictures of the other recruits on the stadium’s Jumbotron scoreboard was also a sight to behold,” said Mike.

“I was recruited by several Mid-American Conference schools, some West Coast schools and had it narrowed down to either Michigan or Ohio State.

“My recruiting experience was subdued; void of the glitz and glamour and consisted of eating an excellent steak/prime rib dinner with coach Hayes.

“My host was former Champion High and Denver Broncos star Randy Gradishar and we took in a movie called The Last House on the Left after the dinner.

“After the game on Saturday, I hung out with the lineman at a place called the OAR House. I can only say good things about my recruiting experience,” he said.

With two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin as a teammate and three Rose Bowl experiences among his many memories, Datish said everything was done in a first-class manner in Columbus.

“Archie, despite the success that he enjoyed on the football field, was always friends with everyone on the team. He was the epitome of Woody’s motto paying forward in actions, words and deeds. Coach reminded us that you can never pay back, just forward,” Datish noted.

“Archie could never sign enough autographs and always made himself available to those after a game wanting to talk or have a picture taken with him.

“The competition was always very keen amongst team members and there really wasn’t much of a difference between the guys on the bench and those on the field of play.

“There was a certain closeness; a camaraderie where we all had fun while covering each others backs,” he stated.

Next week, John Zordich will serve as guest speaker.