Former Ohio State football players have created a lasting tribute to the influence and impact of their legendary coach, Woody Hayes.
On Monday, the National Football Foundation announced that several former Buckeyes have permanently endowed an NFF Woody & Anne Hayes Scholar-Athlete Award. The former football players raised the funds as a tribute to Hayes, the College Football Hall of Fame coach who led Oho State to five national championships from 1951-78.
"From Heisman Trophy winners to walk-ons, from coaches and trainers to team managers, a wide range of contributors came together to honor Coach Hayes and his wife Anne's legacy," said Mark George, a member of the Ohio State football program from 1974-78. "Coach Hayes always encouraged us to 'pay forward,' and the effort to endow an NFF scholarship in his and her name stands as a powerful testament to their lasting influence. It reflects not only the impact he had on all of us, but also our shared commitment to fulfilling his wish for us to leave things better than we found them."
According to the NFF press release, the players' endowment will provide an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship to an NFF Scholar-Athlete. All NFF Scholar-Athetes are also finalists for the William V. Campell Trophy, an award for which Ohio State offensive lineman Seth McLaughlin became a semifinalist last week.
"The establishment of the Woody & Anne Hayes Scholar-Athlete Award is a remarkable tribute, honoring the legacy of one of college football's most legendary coaches," NFF president & CEO Steve Hatchell said. "The connection between a coach and his players is profound, and we are thrilled that Coach Hayes' former players have chosen to highlight the NFF National Scholar-Athlete program as a meaningful way to celebrate that bond."
Hayes mentored six NFF Scholar-Athletes from 1964-75, according to the release. Overall, Ohio State has produced 22 NFF National Scholar-Athletes, the second-highest number among all schools: Arnold Chonko (1964), Willard Sander (1965), David Foley (1968), Rex Kern (1970), Randy Gradishar (1973), Brian Baschnagel (1975), James Laughlin (1979), Joseph A. Smith (1982), John Frank (1983), David Crecelius (1984), Mike Lanese (1985), Joseph Staysniak (1989), Gregory Frey (1990), Gregory W. Smith (1992), Joey Galloway (1994), Bobby Hoying (1995), Greg Bellisari (1996), Ahmed Plummer (1999), Craig Krenzel (2003), Brian Robiskie (2008), Jacoby Boren (2015) and Jordan Fuller (2019).
The NFF Woody & Anne Hayes Scholar-Athlete Award is the 21st endowment within the NFF Scholar-Athlete program. Hayes is also the ninth coach to have an endowment established in his name, joining Bob Blackman, Bobby Bowden, Paul "Bear" Bryant, Robert Neyland, Eddie Robinson, Darrell K. Royal, Bo Schembechler and Bill Yeoman.
