Rex holman ohio state marching

COLUMBUS -- If the late George Downes was alive to experience being inducted into The Ohio University Athletics Hall of Fame, he probably would not have been comfortable with all the "hoopla" that took place on Saturday in the horseshoe stadium. He may have been happy that the Buckeyes won the football game, but his mind most likely would have been on the fall crops on his farm back in Magnolia.

On Saturday, during halftime of the Buckeyes game against California, Downes was one of 12 "outstanding" former student-athletes enshrined into the HOF at Ohio State. The 2012 class of inductees also included Bob Knight (lifetime achievement); Jessica Davenport (women's basketball); Mike Vrabel, Dick Schrafrath, Joseph Gailus, Ray Griffin (Archie's brother) and Pete Cusick (football); Louise Bond-Williams (fencing); Keturah Lofton (track and field); and Jim Stone (women's volleyball head coach). Downes, as well as Rex Holman, were inducted in for their wrestling success at OSU. With the inclusion of Downes and Holman, only 11 wrestlers have now received this prestigious recognition.

Downes' son, Bruce, who attended the game with his wife, Pat, accepted the award for his father. Other members of the Downes family who attended were George's sons, George Jr, (and wife Beth) and Jon (and wife, Marcia). There are also several grandchildren in attendance.

"It is hard to describe the weekend," said Bruce about the whole experience at OSU during the enshrinement weekend. "Everything was first class, the banquet on Friday night, the pregame tailgate in the Varsity O room. Everyone treated us well. Some of the enshrinees received more press, but all the enshrinees and their families were treated the same."

According to Bruce and other family members, George Sr. was modest and quiet about his success as a wrestler, so no one knows how he would have handled all the excitement on Saturday.

According to information f

Upon arriving at Cliff Keen Arena for any of Michigan's home dual meets, Wolverine wrestling fans can instantly recognize a familiar voice booming from the speakers, that of announcer and former Wolverine Matt Stout firing up the crowd in support of the Maize and Blue wrestlers.

A three-year letterwinner (1992, '94-95) and U-M team captain, Stout was originally a walk-on who quickly established himself as a three-year starter at 118 pounds. After graduation, Stout has stayed involved with the program, serving as meet announcer and summer camp director for his "Wrestling Wolverines." While true to the Maize and Blue, Stout also announces in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio, lending his voice for Ohio State's home duals. For each of U-M's home meets, Stout drives three hours from Columbus in order to support his alma mater.

Between home dual meets at Cliff Keen Arena, Matt discussed his continued involvement in U-M wrestling, his memories as a wrestler and as an announcer, and life as a Wolverine in Columbus, Ohio.

On getting involved in announcing ...
"In December of 1995, I called (then-head coach) Dale Bahr and asked him if I could do Michigan's matches. The athletic department already had someone lined up, but Dale basically went to them and told them that I was going to be the announcer. I think a lot of things triggered the call to Dale. I was back in Columbus at the time in my first year of law school at Ohio State and struggling a little with the Buckeye madness down there. Announcing gave me a reason to go back to Ann Arbor a little more often and get away from the Buckeye mania. In addition, my dad announced a lot of my high school matches, and I've always enjoyed public speaking, so I think that was where the initial interest probably came from. I also like to talk a lot, so being the team's announcer seemed like a natural fit.

"As for Ohio State, they contacted me in 1998 to do some of their matches. I knew the coac

The Columbus Dispatch

Quotable “The best thing about 3-0 is a chance to go 4-0.” Ohio State coach Urban Meyer “We had some personal fouls, 15-yard penalties. We better get that cleaned up, or we’re going to lose a game.” Meyer “When you say sore, for most human beings, they’re probably laid up in the Ohio State Medical Center because that’s how tough he is.” Meyer, on defensive end John Simon, who is suffering from a shoulder injury “We just kept executing and using the playbook. In the fourth quarter, we were looking to tie the football game and just go ahead because we were playing fairly well and doing a good job running the clock.” Cal coach Jeff Tedford “Braxton is one of the best in the game, and he came through for his team. All of our eyes were on Braxton. We wanted other players to make something happen for them.” Cal cornerback Marc Anthony, on OSU QB Braxton Miller “Cal is a good team. They came in here and really gave us their best shot. They know how to fight. We have to get better at tackling.” OSU linebacker Etienne Sabino By the numbers 6-1: OSU’s record vs. Cal. 10: Career-high tackles by Buckeyes defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins. 40: Yards per carry by Cal running back Brendan Bigelow, who had four rushes for 160 yards. 37-4: Meyer’s career record in September. 57-26-2: OSU’s record against Pac-12 teams. 66: Game-time temperature. 80.5: Average number of offensive plays per game for the Buckeyes this season. 101: Penalty yards for Ohio State. 1,030: Total offensive yards by Cal in the last two weeks (512 vs. OSU and 518 vs. Southern Utah). Hall of Famers A new induction class of 12 members to the Ohio State Hall of Fame was announced at halftime. The class of Hall of Famers includes: Bobby Knight (lifetime achievement), Louise Bond-Williams (fencing), Pete Cusick (football), Jessica Davenport (basketball), George Downes (wrestling), Joseph Gailus (footb