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Ohio v Michigan: A History of the Rivalry

  • Bob Crane Community Center - 5th Floor 3200 Tremont Road Upper Arlington, OH, 43221 United States (map)

A History Speaks presentation.

The storied showdown between Ohio and Michigan plays out each year on the gridiron, as The Ohio State University and the University of Michigan face off in what is widely considered the most anticipated game of college football’s regular season. ESPN even ranks the Michigan–Ohio State matchup as the greatest sports feud of all time.

But where did this fierce competition begin?

Join us for a brief historical overview of the origins of this legendary state conflict, followed by a deep dive into this iconic football matchup through the present day. Calling all the sports historians, too—test your knowledge with some pop quizzes along the way! The presentation will be followed by an opportunity through UA’s Storyline Bookshop to purchase Steve’s books and have them signed.

Upper Arlington is strongly connected to this rivalry by our physical proximity to OSU, our numerous resident OSU alumni and staff, and the many OSU football coaches that called UA “home.”

A visible sign of the rivalry in UA.


Presenter:

Steve Basford, Upper Arlington High School Class of 1969, is a statistician for Ohio State home football games, a play-by-play sportscaster for Ohio Wesleyan University and Dublin Jerome High School sports, and the author of four books. The last home Ohio State football game that he missed, other than in the COVID year, was in 1970. 


This is a free-to-attend event. Society members will receive an email a few weeks before the event to reserve seats. (Society memberships start for as low at $25 / calendar year.) The general public is welcome on a first-come, first serve basis.