DaytonDailyNews.com

COLUMBUS — Jim Tressel didn't sign any autographs for the 1,500 in attendance at his annual OSU football spring preview to benefit the Alzheimer's Association on Wednesday, but one Centerville resident managed to get the Ohio State coach's signature in a surprise meeting before the event.

Mark MacDonald, a 24-year-old quadriplegic, fulfilled a longtime dream when he was introduced to Tressel outside his office.

The meeting was arranged by MacDonald's caretaker, Norman Hassertt, and Steve Davis, who is doing a book on Ohio Stadium (Stories of the Shoe).

"It was a complete surprise, which is unusual for me because I normally catch on to things," MacDonald said. "(Tressel) was everything I expected him to be."

Tressel signed MacDonald's Ohio State jacket, which contains the autographs of three former Centerville stars who played for the Buckeyes: Kirk Herbstreit, Mike Nugent and A.J. Hawk.

"He said he was afraid the jacket would go down in value," MacDonald said, "but I told him he would make it only go up."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com