People have asked for years to compare the Ohio State band then, and now. And there really is no comparison. It’s always been unique, and uniquely excellent. (Press Pros File Photos)
Coming up on 16 years of Press Pros, some of you have been kind to write with both compliments and questions about things behind the scenes with what we do and how we do it. It makes for some interesting reflection, and we hope…and interesting mid-week read.
As some of you know, August 10th marks the 16th anniversary of this website and time just rolls on.
In fact, the most frequently asked question we get is how much longer will I continue doing as much of it as I’ve done by myself over the years. That’s an easy answer. Not that much longer, as we have been fortunate to attract some of the best young, and younger writing and photography talent imaginable to take the place of members of the original cast that we’ve lost over the years – Dale Meggas, Jim Morris, Tom Cappell, Mark Znidar, Stan Wilker, and of course, Greg Hoard. Words cannot express how much I miss those guys – their talent, their help in us getting off the ground, but most of all…their friendship.
And that’s all I can say about that, although I did tell a sponsor who asked recently: “Every time I think about slowing down I see something else that I just have to try.” I’ve been in that mode for a long time now, and no end in sight.
Publisher Sonny Fulks writes OHSAA sports and the Buckeyes for Press Pros Magazine.
But before we get to August 10, a lot of you send some wonderful questions that to in order answer would actually make some great columns, starting with one from a long-time reader from Highland County, who’s an Ohio State band enthusiast, collects all its records and CDs, and recently wrote: “I know that you actually played in the Ohio State marching band a long time ago, and wondered how you would compare the band then, and the band now. I can’t wait to read.”
Well, hoping that I don’t inflame the reader who wrote recently that I don’t write enough about area high school bands, I’ll answer your question this way. The Ohio State band then, and the Ohio State band now are two entirely different bands that just happen to wear the same uniforms. While the band back then was much smaller, I think in some ways it had its advantages over the present-day band. I always thought that band was more music-oriented, while today’s band is more choreography-oriented. The formations now are much bigger, glitzier, and that appeals to the fans in the stands more than the formations we did in 1974.
I personally liked the sound of the band back then because of the instrumentation. It was a much more mellow sound than the present-day band, and you can hear that when you play the recordings side-by-side.
I always believed that former director Paul Droste (above, with wife Ann) was the finest musician of all the directors of the Ohio State Marching band. And, he was a big baseball fan.
I was always very fond of then-director Paul Droste (he was a huge Cleveland Indians fan), and personally I believe that Paul was the finest musician of any of the directors since the days of Jack Evans, Charlie Spohn, Jon Woods, and Jon Waters…just my opinion. Droste was a very fine baritone and trombone player and that talent also lent to him being a tremendous interpretive conductor, particularly with marches and the National Anthem. There has never been a recording by the band of the Star Spangled Banner better than those under his baton back in the 70s.
Today’s band takes the prize, however, for how you can triple in size and still maintain such a high standard. Musically, there’s a lot more percussion influence now than back then, but that’s a reflection of the drum and bugle corps influence that has swept the nation.
And people often ask if I think the OSU band is indeed, the best band in America, as someone recently bestowed that honor on TBDBITL. It is, without question, the most unique because of it still being all-brass. On the other hand, as I travel now I hear other bands that are tremendously entertaining, as well. It’s all in what you like, but I will always look back fondly on my three years as a trumpet player in A Row…in the best damned band in the land. What an honor!
At Scioto Downs last week someone addressed me in the paddock before the second race and shared his enjoyment in reading about MAC football on Press Pros…specifically, the current 64-game win streak by Marion Local and their 15 state titles in 25 years. Introducing himself from nearby Fayette County, he said, “I appreciate what they represent (Marion Local). I’ve always enjoyed following dynasties, and they’re a dynasty. I wish you’d tell Coach Goodwin that I wish him the best when you see him. And what would he have to say about this year’s team?”
If you asked 15-time state champion Tim Goodwin about his football team…he would tell you the 64-game win streak was made by other, different teams, that they’ll find a quarterback before opening game…and that he’s still having fun coaching.
I haven’t seen him yet, Bret, but he would tell you, first, that it’s July, and a bit early.
He would tell you that the 64-game streak was made by different teams, and that a lot of the players responsible for it have moved on…that every year is a different, distinct challenge.
He would tell you that they have some holes on the offensive line, but that’s what he enjoys coaching the most and they’ll be fine in a few weeks.
They lost quarterback Justin Knouff from last year’s team, and if you ask Goodwin about a replacement he’ll tell you that they’ve always been able to come up with a quarterback at Marion, and that they’re all a little different.
And if you asked him about how long he’ll continue to coach, he’ll tell you that he’s having fun because of his talented, youthful staff and he doesn’t have to do as much of the coaching as he once did. So why quit now?
I know that man…pretty well.
At the state baseball tournament back in June a friend from the Rubber Ducks front office and I were talking shop during a rain delay when he asked me if I ever wear any kind of shoes other than cowboy boots?
“I never see you without a pair,” he added. “So how many do you own?”
The best answer I could give him was….”several”. I started wearing them when I was working minor league baseball and it’s gained momentum over the years. And that’s the best reason I can tell you.
And….another person recently asked about the whereabouts of former OHSAA executive director Jerry Snodgrass, and if he’s still engaged with high school athletics?
On that fateful day…Jerry Snodgrass in March, 2020, the day the state basketball tournaments were cancelled because of Covid.
Jerry, if you’ll remember, was dismissed by the OHSAA as executive director back in July of 2020, setting off a tidal wave of questions without sufficient answers, and an unusual outpouring of public support for someone in an administrative position of that high a profile.
But Jerry was that well-liked…cheerful, optimistic and always transparent. Few people, before and since, have been as respected as the former Findlay teacher, coach, and athletic director, liked by administrators and coaches alike. Snodgrass’s personality was always such that you felt like when he gave you an answer…you believed him.
I have always respected him for the fact that on that day in March of 2020, when the girls state basketball tournament was cancelled because of Covid…and in the midst of a maelstrom of questions and organizational chaos…Jerry Snodgrass took the time to sit on the bleachers at St. John Arena with me for the first, and only, one-on-one interview (to my knowledge) that anyone in the media was privileged to get, at least at the arena. But Jerry respected those who took the time to show up (and I was there really early), report the story, and showed inordinate professional courtesy when he could have easily ducked out the side door to French Field House.
Today, he’s still living in Findlay, does a little teaching, lectures a bit, and works a limited schedule of high school football and basketball for broadcast media. Aside from that, he has no specific duties to my knowledge with Ohio highs school sports.
Still cheerful, and as optimistic as anyone you’ll meet, Jerry is as popular as ever.
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