BUCKEYE: A Study of Coach Woody Hayes and the Ohio State Football Machine

by Robert Vare ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 25, 1974

Although surrounded by more controversy and less reverential awe than Brondfield's goody Hayes (KR, p. 841), it's the same old Woody -- ""the terrible-tempered dragon of the gridiron, molder of great football teams, smiter of players and press, sacker of down markers, student of history, military strategist, brooder, brawler, high priest of Middle America."" Vare's version includes a typical telecast of Columbus, Ohio's ever-popular rah-rahing ""Woody Hayes Show"" as well as the correlation between an annual pigskin winner and the school's athletic budget (the biggest in the country). Whether recruiting ""blue chippers"" in the off-season or digressing over Emerson's essays and the Battle of Salamis, the Buckeye coach has indeed perfected a ""machine"" (made in U.S.A.), and kept his highly tuned ""brand of bludgeon football"" oiled with the necessary amount of sweat, sibilance, and blood. Apart from a few squeaks, this is a sound assessment of both institutions.

Pub Date: Sept. 25, 1974

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harper's Magazine Press

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1974

Categories: NONFICTION