Building a different kind of prestige

by Anthony Castrovince
THE POST

National prestige and Ohio athletics do not run hand in hand.

Rather than trying to attain national stature through television contracts or mass merchandise, the coaches and athletic staff members at Ohio are working to establish attention through facilities improvement, character and high recruiting standards.

"Prestige is really carried on by the athletes in the program and the attitudes they carry in the recruiting process," said track and cross country coach Elmore Banton. "They are the people who really carry a winning tradition on."

Banton said the growth of prestige comes from the psychology of the athletes. He says, with the correct mindset, his team members can establish a winning tradition.

"We used to have mystique," he said. "We got to get that feeling back."

A winning mindset comes partly from feeling like part of a team, Banton said. He learned this in the past when the throwers on his track teams were forced to practice near the golf range on West State Street. With the addition of a new track, the throwing area has been moved and the team has been more of a cohesive unit.

"No one really knew they were out there (at the golf range)," said Banton. "We used to go on the road and some of the runners were seeing the throwers for the first time."

Banton has had a great deal of success at Ohio. His women’s track team won six consecutive MAC titles from 1987-1992.

"We’re running to keep the legend alive," he said. "Personally, I try to motivate the athletes and get them to think about the great tradition."

Much of the men’s track team’s success is dependent on the cooperation of football coach Jim Grobe. He often encourages his athletes to run track in the off-season.

When Grobe took over the Ohio football program five years ago, the team was coming off a winless season during which they were ranked last among Division I-A schools. Since then, he has worked hard to build a winning tradition, a strong foundation for recruiting, and top-of-the-line facilities.

"We already had prestige with the university," he said. "We don’t have a problem with making the school appealing. What we need to do is make a student want to play football here."

Director of Athletics Thomas Boeh also arrived five years ago and has moved the program in the right direction, Grobe said. The football offices were moved into Peden

Stadium, new practice fields were put installed, and plans are in place to take out the track and increase seating capacity at the stadium.

The general consensus among Ohio’s coaches is that improving the facilities is the best way to appeal to prospects. This is especially true for baseball coach Joe Carbone, who has worked tirelessly to keep Bob Wren Stadium in the best condition possible.

"We protect the field," he said. "We take batting practice and, afterwards, the players drag the field and pick up pieces of dirt in the grass."

Carbone knows the school is very important in recruiting athletes and keeping a winning tradition.

"People see progress," he said. "They see a clean campus and the improvements we’ve made to buildings. And just as Dr. Glidden works to improve the university, I work to improve the baseball program."

Carbone gives his players the full potential to not only improve themselves as baseball players but also as athletes. The team has six batting cages, a three-mound bullpen and a new weight room.

During the recruiting process, Carbone scouts character as much as athletic ability.

"The whole key is getting good players and good students, then developing them to the point where they win championships," he said. "Hopefully, they do some good things academically. I don’t always use the best nine players. There is chemistry involved. I look for guys that are team players."

Women’s soccer coach Stacy Strauss is also committed to recruiting individuals with character. As a first-year head coach this season, Strauss is learning hands-on what it takes to build prestige through winning.

"As long as your expectations within the team are high and you continue to improve, you will succeed," she said.