Location:  Ohio History Center, 800 E. 17^th Ave., Columbus, OH 43211

I expected to see an exhibit highlighting the famous athletes from Ohio such as professional basketball player Lebron James, retired professional golfer Jack Nicklaus, former undisputed heavyweight boxing champion James “Buster” Douglas, Jesse Owens a four time gold medalist in the 1936 Olympic games, and former football player Archie Griffin who is the only two time Heisman Trophy winner in history. They were part of the exhibit. There was much more than just the popular athletes I knew about.

The exhibit was organized around the different components of sports: Character, victory, adversity, tradition, identity and innovation. I was drawn to the adversity section of the exhibit.

Stephanie Hightower attended the Ohio State University. She is a four-time 100 meter hurdles U.S. Champion and a five time indoor U.S. Champion at 60 meter hurdles. She was not able to compete in the 1980 summer Olympics due to the U.S. boycott. The boycott was to protest the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Stephanie Hightower is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer at the Columbus Urban League.

Scott Hamilton was born in Toledo. He earned many awards in figure skating including a gold medal in the 1984 Olympics. He battled cancer and a brain tumor.

Alta Weiss was born in 1890 in Berlin, Ohio (Holmes County). She was the pitcher for a semi-professional men’s baseball team called the Vermilion Independents. She used the money she earned playing baseball to finance herself through medical school.

In 1947, Larry Dobie signed with the Cleveland Indians. Larry Dobie became the first African-American player in the American League. 

Sidebar: Congratulations Coach Lee! It is a great accomplishment to coach 500 winning games at Brookhaven High School and having an undefeated season in 1996 and winning the division 1 state championship. Notice the year is 1996 and not 1985…..

My take on Ohio-Champion of Sports:

This is an exhibit you need to see for yourself. There are interactive games for the young at heart. You can listen and watch different components of competition like the victory dance/celebration. The great thing about this exhibit is you can think you are coming to see and experience one thing and can be exposed to and learn so much more.