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Tressel, Dials to be enshrined in OSU Hall of Fame
Boardman native
Dials also selected
By ED PUSKAS
YOUNGSTOWN
Jim Tressel was enshrined in Youngstown State’s Hall of Fame in 2013.
In January, he was voted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Finally, on Wednesday, Ohio State announced that the former coach of the Buckeyes and Penguins — and current YSU president — has been voted into OSU’s Athletics Hall of Fame.
The reaction at home?
“My daughter told me today, ‘I think you’re about out of Halls of Fames now,’” Tressel said Wednesday night.
“I don’t think you ever get used to that kind of honor. It makes you reflect on all the players, coaches, equipment managers, trainers, fans and bands you’ve been around. It reminds me of how blessed I’ve been over the years to be in some great situations.”
Tressel coached the Buckeyes from 2001-10 and was 94-21. His teams played in nine bowl games (seven BCS games) and won 10 or more games six times, including 2002, when Ohio State won the national championship.
Tressel and former Boardman High School and Buckeyes basketball star Terence Dials are part of of OSU’s 14-member Class of 2015. Twelve former athletes and two coaches will be inducted on Sept. 18 at a dinner and then recognized the next day during the Buckeyes’ game against Northern Illinois at Ohio Stadium.
The kickoff time for that game has yet to be determined. YSU hosts Saint Francis (Pa.) at 4 p.m. on Sept. 19.
“It would be great if it’s a noon game,” said Tressel, who hopes to be able to get back to Youngstown that afternoon.
“I’m going to try to work it out. I hope to be able to get back on campus here so I can perform my duties.”
Dials played at Ohio State from 2003-06 after a standout prep career at Boardman. He was the 2006 Big Ten Conference Player of the Year and a first-team All-Big Ten selection.
Dials finished his OSU career with 1,566 points (14th all-time) and made 56 percent of his shots (604 of 1,082) to rank fourth all-time in Buckeyes history. Dials’ 876 rebounds is the fifth-highest career total at OSU. He led the Buckeyes in rebounding three straight seasons — 2004, ’05 and ’06.
Dials was a two-time captain and was named OSU’s Most Valuable player in his junior and senior seasons. He was the Chicago Tribune Big Ten MVP 2006.
The 2015 Hall of Fame class also includes Tim Anderson (football), Justin Cook (men’s soccer), Lara Dickenmann (women’s soccer), Natalia Diea (women’s diving), Annabelle Fago (rowing), Joey Galloway (football), Therese Hession (women’s golf coach),J Jaggers (wrestling), Perry Martter (wrestling), Teresa Meyers (pistol), Dan Seimetz (baseball) and Paul Tilley (men’s hockey).
Tressel’s first visit to Ohio Stadium after his 2011 resignation amid an NCAA violations scandal came during a game in 2012, when he and former assistant coaches and players from the 2002 team were recognized to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the Buckeyes’ BCS title team. Ohio State beat Miami 31-24 in double-overtime on Jan. 3, 2003.
Now Tressel will return again to the Horseshoe.
“It was great to be back with those guys,” he said. “Every kid, every coach and every student coach you see brings a different memory to mind.”
Tressel, whom spent 15 seasons as YSU’s head coach and won four Division I-AA national championships with the Penguins, credited his former boss — then-YSU athletic director Joe Malmisur — for making his career possible.
“If Joe Malmisur didn’t give me a chance to be a head coach at YSU, none of the things I’ve been blessed to be a part of would’ve happened,” Tressel said.