DaytonDailyNews.com

BEAVERCREEK — When the door opened, about two dozen Beavercreek High School students turned around in their chairs with cameras and cell phones ready.

In walked Jim Tressel, the Ohio State football coach visiting the school while visiting Zach Domicone, and he met a set of flashes.

He made it to the front of the room, where the students asked him to pose with Beavercreek football coach Scott Clodfelter. "Is this a photography class?" Tressel joked.

While it was a routine visit for Tressel on Monday, it was an unusual experience for Beavercreek, which saw Domicone become its first Buckeyes recruit in the Tressel era. The Beavers football squad recently completed its first winning season in 15 years, going 6-4.

Domicone is the first Beavercreek player since 1969 grad Randy Cowman to land an OSU football scholarship.

His appearance was highly anticipated by the school and community, as the mayor, school board members and others arrived bearing everything from a poster of Tressel to an Ohio Stadium cake.

Tressel responded with his traditional friendliness, greeting students and teachers who peeked out of classrooms and signing enough items that Clodfelter politely tried often to keep his tour moving.

One of the first to get an autograph was Crista Eichhorn, who joined some classmates in an impromptu reception-turned-photo shoot. Tressel signed the back of her white No. 10 Buckeyes jersey with his usual "Go Bucks!"

"Seriously," Eichhorn said, "I was freaking out."

Tressel got the same attention later near the athletic office, where staff and some family members lined up to get pictures and autographs. Domicone, the Beavers quarterback/defensive back who likely will play safety at Ohio State, stood nearby, still somewhat surprised himself that he will sign a national letter of intent on Feb. 6 to play for the Buckeyes.

Not long ago, Domicone didn't have many scholarship offers. Then came one from Nebraska, then Oklahoma and then, his dream, Ohio State. That brought Tressel to Beavercreek on Monday.

"He was so down to Earth," said Marian West, the Beavercreek principal. "It was a great experience for our school and the community."