From 1940 to 1990, Otterbein University recorded its football games on 16mm film. In the early 2000s, the Athletics Department gave these films to the University Archive. Twenty years later, a combination of technology, financial support, and scholarly insight has allowed us to begin digitizing the films. Otterbein Archivist Stephen D. Grinch, and Project Consultant Dr. Rusty Wilson, will tell you the history of the films, how the project came into being, and then showcase some of the unexpected treasures hidden in these dusty old reels.
This program is presented by the Westerville Historical Society and will include a short business meeting prior to the program
About the Presenters
Stephen D. Grinch (class of 1998) has been working in the Otterbein University Archive since the fall of 1993 and has served as University Archivist since the summer of 1998. He is currently leading the planning of the Courtright Memorial Library’s 50th Anniversary celebrations and is assisting with Otterbein University’s 175th Anniversary celebrations.
Dr. Rusty Wilson holds a BA in International Studies, an MA in International Sport (an individually created program to study the political and international relations role of sports and the Olympic Games), and a Ph.D. in Sport History from The Ohio State University. His father, Harold (class of 1942), was an Otterbein football player, so Rusty has been cheering on our team for most of his life.