Summer Checklist: Where Buckeye Fans Should Travel During the Dog Days of the Offseason

By David Wertheim on June 18, 2019 at 8:35 am
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It's June, and there are still a few months before Ohio State kicks off its 2019 season on August 31 against Florida Atlantic. Until then, Ohio State fans are going to have to find other activities to occupy their weekends and with that, let's take a look at some historic places they could visit to still get a fix of that Buckeye football we all love so much.

Woody Hayes Monuments: Newcomerstown, Ohio

If you've read 11W in the last few years, you know about the campaign we held to fundraise for a Woody Hayes statue to be built in his birthplace of Newcomerstown. 

The campaign was a success, and the statue was unveiled last summer.

Not only is the statue in Newcomerstown, but on the second floor of the Temperance Tavern Museum, there is a room dedicated to Hayes and his accomplishments. 

Newcomerstown is about an hour-and-a-half northeast of Columbus, making it the perfect one-day getaway. On the way, stop at Michael's Pizza in Newark and hit up Coshocton. You won't regret either experience. 

College Football Hall of Fame: Atlanta, Georgia

You'll have to travel a little farther for this one if you live in Ohio, but this is one of two places where all the Buckeye greats can be found at once (we'll get to the other in a minute).

Ohio State has 25 players inducted, the fifth-most of any program. The most recent Buckeye inducted was Tom Cousineau in 2016. 

The Buckeyes also have seven coaches in the hall: Earle Bruce, John Cooper, Hayes, Howard Jones, Francis Schmidt, Jim Tressel, and John Wilce. There is no better place than this one to see all of Ohio State's greats in one place ... except maybe this next one.

Buckeye Grove: Columbus, Ohio

Okay, so it may be right outside of the stadium. But it counts! Buckeye Grove is a magical place which sits right outside of another magical place (Morrill Tower). Each All-American at Ohio State is honored with a tree and plaque in Buckeye Grove, and in the summer, the place really pops. 

I'm a big fan of strolling through the grove on nice days. I'll go out of my way to walk through. It really is a magical place, and you can feel the history with each plaque that you walk by. After you visit, stop by Adriatico's for the best pizza on campus. 

Cedar Point: Sandusky, Ohio

Okay, so maybe it's not all just football all the time. Check out Cedar Point. Please. If you haven't been, you have to go. Normally I'm a stan for all things Cincinnati but Cedar Point has Kings Island beat any day of the week. JUST LOOK AT THIS COASTER.

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