For those Ohio State football fans who love to scour game day programs and reference materials, the name Elliott Rice should ring a bell. Mr. Rice was a walk on place kicker for the Buckeye fooball team from 1969-71. He played for Woody Hayes and still lives in Ohio.
After picking up a copy of my book “The One And Only: Chic Harley - -America’s Great Athlete” last January, Mr. Rice said he couldn’t put it down. One night after tossing and turning in bed, the cerebral light bulb flashed on. A idea was born.
“Chic Harley’s contributiton to Ohio State football is huge,” wrote Mr. Rice. “And it should be honored.”
He told of his belief that the site of Old Ohio Field on High Street is “holy” ground—the place where Ohio Satte football tradition took hold and bloomed under Coach Wilce , Chic Harley and his teammates.” He likened the site to a Civil War battle field that over the decades has gradually been encroached on by buildings.
“Before it disappears,” Rice writes, “it should be saved.”
Mr. Rice’s idea is to outline the boundaries of Old Ohio Field with bricks at every corner “with a few iron fence posts like was used on the original field.” Within the borders would be one, perhaps two statues of Chic. One would be a reproduction of the famous picture, which shows him standing, hands on hips, with “that winning smile.” The second statue, said Rice, would be an action shot of Chic.
“There should also be good size plaques decribing his accomplishments and his sorrows. To me the story of what his friends and coaches did for him is a lesson that needs to be taught and passed on. ‘How firm thy friendship, Ohio,’ as the alma mater says.”
Rice added that over time, statues of Buckeye Heisman Trophy winners can be added as well as those of great coaches and other players.
“They could be placed around the outside and inside of the stadium. But it is Chic Harley’s time now,” said Rice.
What a wonderful letter! What a wonderful idea!
Don’t you agree?
Let us and everyone know how you feel and together we can make this happen.
Post a reply, tell a friend, write a letter to President Gee…
Next: The full text of Mr. Rice’s letter and Gee’s reply.
Terrific idea. Let’s do it.
I would wholeheartedly support the notion of preserving the memory and legacy of Chic Harley in this manner. Honoring Chic and all he meant to the early days of the legendary OSU football program is very fitting. Go for it!!!
Thank you for placing my idea in your blog. I wouldn’t be surprised if other folks over the years had come up with the same thought. I just wanted your readers to know that though I was on the team I never played in a game other than the spring game. When I was a sophomore there were three juniors ahead of me: Fred Schram, Paul Johnston, and Stan White was always available for duty. I suffered a severe Achilles tendon injury, twice, that kept me from kicking in my junior year. I went out my senior year and though my accuracy was still there, I had lost some yardage. I think Coach Hayes didn’t mind if I hung around practice and kicked a little, but I don’t think he wanted me to risk a permanent disability in a game. As a hard headed youngster, I felt I didn’t want to hang around if I wasn’t helping the team and I quit football after summer practice broke up. I’ll always regret that decision. But ironically some of my most memorable Buckeye memories happened after my injury. when I wasn’t able to play but helped with offensive statistics and cutting films for Coach Hayes’s television show. Coach instilled a sense of the tradition of Ohio State football and though we can’t pay Chic Harley back for his contributions we can “pay forward” as Coach Hayes used to say, for future buckeyes so they will learn about Chic and how his university friends loved and cared for him.
What a terrific idea for honoring Chic on the field on which he played!
Every Ohio State fan should get on board to push for a statue of Chic on the site of Old Ohio Field. The need to honor Chic is so very long overdue.