Page 18 - AAA Magazine – AAA Ohio Auto Club – May 2019

Photo: OSUArchives Photo: Erik Drost
OHIO: HOME
of CHAMPIONS
Turns out the Buckeye State has quite the sports story to tell. By Emmy Beach
The Ohio History Connection in Columbus recently opened a new exhibit all about sports. “Ohio – Champion of Sports” began its 18-month run at the
state history museum in March.
“Ohio’s contribution to national sports history is
significant,” said Burt Logan, Ohio History Connection executive director & CEO. “From the founding of the NFL in Canton, to roots of Major League Baseball with the Cincinnati Reds, people like Jesse Owens and LeBron James, it’s impossible to tell America’s sports story without Ohio.”
“Ohio – Champion of Sports” features one-of-a-kind artifacts, archival collections and first-person narratives covering more than 25 sports ranging from baseball, football and basketball to roller derby, skateboarding and e-gaming. The exhibit showcases the Ohio athletes, coaches, owners and fans at the center of the action.
The exhibit is a larger reflection of Ohio History Connection’s effort to become a different kind of history organization. Instead of telling history from their organization’s perspective, Ohio History Connection relies on first-person accounts from athletes, coaches,
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