OSU’s Football Coach Moves to Upper Arlington

Who is John W. Wilce?

• Hired as OSU’s head football coach in 1913 at age 25

• Retired from coaching in 1928

• Lead Ohio State to its first victory over Michigan in 1919 and its first Rose Bowl appearance in January 1921

• Was the first head football coach to coach in Ohio Stadium (1922)
  Fun fact: The architect of Ohio Stadium, Howard Dwight Smith, was also an Upper Arlington resident at this time.

• Was a physician and the Director of OSU’s University Health Services after his football career

Coach Wilce moved to 2030 Tremont Road in Upper Arlington in spring of 1923:

Can you believe that we needed a “How to Enjoy Football” pamphlet in 1923? Perhaps it was very persuasive!

Note: The “2020 Tremont” address given in the articles below is incorrect.