Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

New Book on Chic Harley

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wcbe/local-wcbe-878949.mp3

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio State's 2009 football season ended on a high note New Year's night with a win at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. But the birth of buckeye football and its rise to prominence can be traced in large part to the play of Chic Harley, who helped put the program on the map in 1916. Buckeye historians agree Harley has remained under-recognized as time has passed. Harley's great-nephew Todd Wessel has written a book about his life and troubled times after football, entitled "The One And Only." Wessell speculates Ohio State has been reluctant to erect a statue to Harley out of fear of offending strong advocates of modern-day greats like Archie Griffin and Woody Hayes. But he says the current athletic administration has been open to discussions. And Wessell plans to put more pressure on the university this year, saying Ohio State would be much different today without Harley's achievements. Wessell tells Mike Foley after a stellar career at Columbus East High School, Harley almost went to the team that would become Ohio State's biggest rival.