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Valley Playbook launched Housteau’s OSU career
By Greg Gulas
BEAVER TOWNSHIP
For the past two decades, Youngstown native Gary Housteau has covered Ohio State University athletics as a contributor to either its Buckeye Sports Bulletin or as a member of the Bucknuts Media staff.
Addressing the Curbstone Coaches on Monday at Avion Banquet Center, Housteau attributed his start in the business to working with his former local sports publication, The Valley Playbook.
Along with brothers Ray and Chuck, and former YSU athletics marketing director Bruce Burge, the publication covered YSU and Mahoning Valley high school sports on a monthly basis and enjoyed a successful run from 1989-98.
“I honed my writing skills under my brother, Chuck, while at the Playbook and initially picked up a love for photography from my brother, Ray,” Housteau said. “Bruce was a tireless worker, always pitching our product to potential advertisers while also contributing articles.
“It was a fun time for everyone, but most of all for the teams and athletes that we covered each month.”
Gary Housteau, a 1982 Woodrow Wilson graduate and two-time City Series first-team selection at middle guard, played at Adrian College and was a three-year starter, also at middle guard.
He added that his brothers’ idea of a local sports publication hit the Mahoning Valley at just the right time.
“We always talked about how special this area was when it came to sports and it was Chuck who finally got the ball rolling,” Housteau said. “The teams, coaches and most especially the players in all sports, both scholastically and on the college level, deserved to be recognized for their efforts and we just provided a vehicle locally that gave them that recognition.
“If Chuck hadn’t brought the concept of The Valley Playbook to life back in 1989, I certainly wouldn’t have had the career that I’ve had as a writer and photographer.”
Housteau began covering Ohio State in Jim Tressel’s first season as head coach with the Buckeyes (2001) and has not missed an OSU home football game since.
He’s also had some other interesting road assignments.
“I’ve had the opportunity to cover the state football, boys basketball and track tournaments the past 12 years and it has been fun to watch those many athletes heading to Ohio State prior to the start of their collegiate careers,” Housteau said. “I’ve also had an opportunity to cover two Buckeyes national championship appearances, numerous high school all-star football games, been to the LA Coliseum, the Superdome in New Orleans and the ‘Big House,’ among other iconic sports venues.
“I never would have had the opportunity to visit any of those venues, nor would I have met the many coaches, athletes and administrators that I have had Chuck not started our publication. My assignments have been anything but ordinary.”
Chuck Housteau, who was a Vindicator sports correspondent, died in 2010. In honor of his brother, a memorial fund to provide scholarships for current Youngstown State journalism students was established five years ago.
“My brother passed away much too early and he had so much more to contribute, so in his memory and honor we have established the Chuck Housteau Memorial Fund,” Housteau said. “We’ve raised over $50,000 to date, thanks in part to Sam Covelli who sponsors an annual golf outing each summer.”
Chuck Housteau was a regional manager for Panera Bread, one of Covelli’s enterprises.
This year’s golf outing is scheduled for Aug. 13 at Rolling Hills Golf Course. More information may be obtained by visiting Facebook at Chuck Housteau Memorial Golf Outing.