DID YOU KNOW: At least two Loudonville alumni have played for Ohio State, and one coached? Jack Auggie Augenstein led Loudonville to their first two undefeated seasons, in 1949 and 1951. Listed at 6 2 and 230 lbs, Auggie could burn across the field in 11 seconds. He was recruited to Ohio State by none other than Woody Hayes, and was expected to replace Heisman winning halfback Vic Janowicz, who had just graduated. In 1953, Jack was active for nine games...but only had one attempt, for four yards. The speeding bullet from Loudonville couldnt beat rising star Howard Hopalong Cassady for the starting role on Ohio States roster. Jack transferred to Ashland College, helping the team to a 1954 undefeated season. Cassady would place third that year in Heisman voting, and then win it in 1955 by the highest voting margin ever to that point in time. In 1985, Loudonvilles Jim Palmer was receiving a pile of awards as a tight end, defensive end, and as a punter...including All-Ohio First Team for tight end. Jim decided to take his talents to Columbus. Ohio State at the time was coached by Earle Bruce, but Jim would work with Wide Receivers coach Urban Meyer. At the end of the 1987 season, Bruce would be ousted and Meyer with him. John Cooper took over in 1988, bringing another Loudonville native with him on the coaching staff--Ron Zook. Palmer didnt see action until that year, playing eleven games but with only one reception for six yards and one kick return for 11 yards. 1989 was a different story, however, when Cooper switched Palmer from wide receiver to tight end. Palmer shined in the new role, tying the team lead for receptions with 28 catches for 308 yards and three touchdowns, with one kick return for four yards tacked on as well. Palmer lettered twice, was chosen as offensive lineman of the week five times, and received the Coachs Appreciation Award. (sidenote: Jims father had played on the 1949 undefeated Loudonville team alongside Augenstein. Ron Zook was the defensive backs coach for John Cooper from 1988 to 1990. Zook of course had later interactions with Ohio State, but on the opposite side of the field: In 2006 the Florida team that was built by Zook--but coached by Palmers former receiving coach Urban Meyer--managed to take down Ohio States undefeated team in the National Championship game. Less than one year later, in 2007, the Buckeyes were once again undefeated cruising into the National Championship with the No. 1 ranking the country until Zook came to Columbus as the head coach of Illinois, and knocked Ohio State out of the No. 1 spot with a 28-21 upset in the horseshoe. Know of any other Loudonville or Perrysville alum to play in scarlet and gray, or have photographs of Augenstein or Palmer in action?
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 16:14:25 +0000
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