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Award-winning columnist Tom Archdeacon — an old-school storyteller in a brand-new venue — writes about sports, the city, southwest Ohio and anything else that catches his fancy… or yours.

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Home > Blogs > Through the Arch > Archives > 2009 > August > 13 > Entry

COLUMN — OSU’s Spitler: Hillbilly Strong and About to Shine

By Tom Archdeacon | Thursday, August 13, 2009, 10:09 PM

COLUMBUS — Kurt Coleman, the senior safety and Northmont product, was doing a live TV interview in the south end zone.

Zach Domicone, the freshman defensive back from Beavercreek High, was near the 30 yard line, posing for pictures with his arm around his girlfriend as his diamond-like earrings sparkled in the last rays of the day’s sun.

Not far away, Jake Ballard, the Springboro tight end, stood with three generations of his family. To his left, a fellow Ohio State football player was introducing his parents to his coaches. Beyond them, two new players in their scarlet jerseys and gray pants gawked around the Horseshoe and just fanaticized.

And then there was the bemused Austin Spitler, whose mom had just read him the riot act.

This was the scene at OSU’s annual Media and Photo Night — which drew 550 family members and 175 media types — Thursday, Aug. 13, at Ohio Stadium.

Spitler, the fifth-year senior linebacker from Bellbrook, was finally in the spotlight — after a red-shirt season and three as a back-up, he’s going into two-a -days as a starter — and that’s why Mom was on his case.

Spitler,,,minus most of his new beard

She didn’t like what the bright lights were picking up — specifically his new beard.

“It’s just a (pre-season) camp look and being lazy, but everybody’s giving me crap about it,” he laughed. “My mom was really mad that I didn’t get lined up for picture day. But what you gonna do? You can’t make ‘em happy all the time.”

He shrugged and admitted the new look might soon be gone: “Coach Tressel wants things trimmed up.”

So what you see with Spitler isn’t always what you get.

Someone mentioned that he’s one of the strongest guys on the team and he just shrugged:

“Yeah, that may be one of my strengths…no pun intended. Guys on the team call me ‘hillbilly strong.’ I guess it’s probably because there aren’t many farm and country boys on the team — though that’s not saying I am either …My parents live in (Bellbrook) now.

“But I have baled hay. And everybody thinks I’m country ‘cause I like country music and drive a big truck (a silver Dodge Ram).

‘I’d say there are maybe just five guys on the team who truly enjoy and are heartfelt about country music. But my mom worked for a country station, so I was brought up on it. It’s all I knew.”

He said he and some of his buddies went to the Country Concert in Fort Loramie last month. As for his favorite country artists, he mentioned Sugarland and especially Brooks and Dunn:

“Their song ‘Believe’ has always been one of my favorites.”

And since becoming a Buckeye in 2005, he’s had to believe. The past few years he played in the shadows of All American linebacker James Laurinaitis and it wasn’t always easy.

“It’s been frustrating — especially sophomore season knowing this guy in front of me was playing just unbelievable football and it wasn’t looking too great for me.

Spitler puts a hit on Purdue receiver Dorien Bryant in a photo taken by Neal C. Lauron of the Columbus Dispatch

“But (Laurinaitis) helped me pull through it, so did some other guys and the coaches. And it ultimately comes down to what’s best for you and the best place for me was right here.

“That’s when I decided to work as hard as I possibly could and if it didn’t work out in the end, well, I’d know I gave it my all and showed them my very best.”

And that’s where Mom took exception.

To her, he still needed a razor and some shaving cream for that.

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