COLUMBUS, Ohio – This fall, 14 outstanding Buckeyes will be enshrined in the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame. The Class of 2024 includes Christy Blough (men’s volleyball), Chase Buchanan (men’s tennis), Tiffany Cameron (women’s soccer), Michael Hartfield (men’s track and field), Jeff Logan (football), Marisa Main (women’s volleyball), Brian Mannino (baseball), Braxton Miller (football), Kathy Monard (women’s cross country/track), Greg Oden (men’s basketball), Tony Russo (men’s lacrosse), Kyle Snyder (wrestling), Gene Smith (administrator) and Matt Wilhelm (football).
The group will be officially inducted during a dinner Oct. 4 in the Covelli Center and recognized at Ohio Stadium when the Buckeye football team hosts Iowa Oct. 5. Tickets for the dinner will go on sale at a later date.
The Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame was created in 1977 and has inducted 487 athletes, coaches and administrators through 2023.
Christy Blough
Men’s Volleyball, 2014-17
Christy Blough lettered from 2014-17 at setter for the Buckeyes and led Ohio State to the NCAA Championship in both 2016 and 2017. A two-time American Volleyball Coaches Association Second Team All-American (2016-17), Blough was the Big Ten Medal of Honor winner as a senior in 2017. Volleyball Magazine named him to its First Team All-America squad in 2017.
He was equally honored in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association as a two-time First Team All-MIVA and All-MIVA Tournament selection (2016-17). During his time as a Buckeye, Ohio State won the MIVA regular season and MIVA Tournament titles in 2016 and 2017. Statistically, Blough is fifth all-time in career assists with 4,280. He earned Academic All-America honors in 2017, the first by a men’s volleyball athlete at Ohio State. He garnered numerous academic honors during his career, including Academic All-MIVA, Academic All-Big Ten and Ohio State Scholar Athlete accolades.
Chase Buchanan
Men’s Tennis, 2009-12
The Ohio State men’s tennis program has had a tremendous run of success and Chase Buchanan was one of the best players during the run. He is one of only two five-time All-Americans in program history and finished his career with 220 combined victories. Buchanan was a three-time NCAA doubles participant and became part of the first NCAA Doubles National Championship team in program history, winning the title with Blaz Rola in 2012. The duo was the first doubles team in collegiate history to win all three collegiate major doubles titles in the same season.
Buchanan was a two-time Big Ten Men’s Tennis Athlete of the Year and the 2010 ITA National Player to Watch. In all, he was a three-time unanimous All-Big Ten honoree as well as a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and three-time Ohio State Scholar-Athlete.
During his four seasons, the Buckeyes finished in the Top 4 nationally four times, including an NCAA runner-up finish in 2009. The team was a remarkable 139-11 during his four seasons and a perfect 41-0 in Big Ten regular season matches, winning the conference title each season.
As a professional, Buchanan rose to as high as No. 158 in the ATP singles rankings and No. 151 in the doubles rankings.
Tiffany Cameron
Women’s Soccer, 2009-12
Tiffany Cameron is the most prolific scorer in Ohio State women’s soccer history. She ended her career with the most career goals (40) and the most points (96) of any player in program history. Her 21 goals and 47 points as a senior in 2012 are still the most in a single season in program history as well. She recorded nine game-winning goals as a senior, which were the most in the country that season, and her 19 career game-winners were tied for fourth-most in Big Ten history at the time of her induction.
Cameron was an NSCAA second team All-American, a two-time First Team All-Big Ten honoree and a member of the 2009 Big Ten All-Freshman Team. The communications and marketing major was also a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and a three-time Ohio State Scholar Athlete.
One of Ohio State’s longest tenured professionals, Cameron has played professionally in the United States and overseas for more than 15 seasons. She has represented both Canada and Jamaica on the international level, appearing on the senior national team for both countries. That included appearances in both the 2019 and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, representing Jamaica.
Michael Hartfield
Men’s Track & Field, 2011-13
Michael Hartfield was a four-time USTFCCCA All-American for the Ohio State track & field program. He made the first team during the 2013 outdoor season and the second team during the 2011 indoor and outdoor seasons and the 2012 outdoor season. Hartfield claimed five Big Ten Championships, winning the outdoor long jump in 2011, 2012 and 2013, the indoor long jump in 2011 and the outdoor triple jump in 2013.
He remains in the Top 5 in program history in the outdoor long jump (second, 26’9”), indoor long jump (fourth, 25’9.25”) and the indoor triple jump (fifth, 51’10”). The 2011 USTFCCCA Great Lakes Regional Athlete of the Year also earned Big Ten Outdoor Athlete of the Year accolades the same season and was twice named Big Ten Outdoor Athlete of the Championships (2011, 2013).
Following his Buckeye career, he competed in the long jump in the 2016 Olympic Games as a member of Team USA.
Jeff Logan
Football, 1974-77
Jeff Logan had the challenge of taking over as Ohio State’s starting running back following the graduation of two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin, but cemented his own place in Buckeye history by playing on two Big Ten championship-winning teams and serving as the team’s co-captain in 1977. Logan rushed for 2,026 career yards and scored 11 touchdowns in 35 career games. As a first-year starter in 1976, he totaled 1,248 rushing yards, a figure that ranked fourth in school history at the time and still ranks in the Top 20 on Ohio State’s single-season list today.
The teams he played on went 39-8-1, either won outright or shared four consecutive Big Ten titles and played in two Rose Bowls. As a senior co-captain in 1977, Logan earned First Team All-Big Ten honors. He received CoSIDA First Team Academic All-American accolades as a senior.
Marisa Main
Women’s Volleyball, 2004-06
Marisa Main was named to the AVCA All-America Second Team in all three seasons with the Buckeyes (2004, 2005, 2006) and to the ASICS/Volleyball Magazine All-American Second Team twice (2005, 2006). She was a three-time AVCA First Team All-Region selection and also was named First Team All-Big Ten three times.
She remains in the Top 10 in three career categories, including third in assists (4,655), despite playing only three seasons. Main holds the record for most assists in a season in program history, totaling 1,785 in 2004, and ranks second in program history in assists/set (14.88) that season. Main ranks second in program history in assists in a single match as she totaled 86 assists against Tennessee Dec. 10, 2004. She also received an AVCA National Player of the Week nod Oct. 24, 2005.
Brian Mannino
Baseball, 1992-95
Brian Mannino was a four-year letterwinner for the Buckeyes, playing on the Ohio State squad from 1992 to 1995. He helped the Buckeyes capture Big Ten Tournament titles in 1994 and 1995 and to NCAA Tournament appearances all four of his seasons.
Mannino earned Third Team All-America honors following his sophomore season in 1993 and led the Buckeyes in home runs that season with 12. In 1994, he was an Honorable Mention All-American. He was a First Team All-Big Ten honoree in both 1993 and 1995 and was a Big Ten All-Tournament Team selection in 1993 and 1994. Mannino, who served as a team captain in 1995, is sixth in Ohio State program history in career batting average (.362), tied for fourth in hits (250), tied for 10th in doubles (45), tied for fifth in home runs (35), sixth in runs scored (174) and second in RBI (180).
Mannino went on to play three seasons of Independent League baseball after his collegiate career concluded before returning to Ohio State as an assistant coach for five years under Hall of Fame head coach Bob Todd.
Braxton Miller
Football, 2011-15
One of the most electrifying players in school history – whether it was as a quarterback or a wide receiver – Braxton Miller was a Big Ten Conference champion, national champion and major award winner throughout his five-year Ohio State career. His seven major Big Ten awards are the most by a Big Ten player: Chicago Tribune Silver Football (2012, 2013), Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year (2012, 2013), Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year (2012, 2013) and Thompson-Randle-El Freshman of the Year (2011). Miller’s 8,609 yards of total offense rank third in Ohio State history, his 3,314 career rushing yards rank seventh and his 5,292 passing yards is 12th. His 88 touchdowns responsible for (36 rushing/receiving TDs and 52 passing TDs) were a school record and still rank second.
After suffering a shoulder injury that cost him the entire 2014 season, Miller returned and played wide receiver in 2015 where he totaled 601 all-purpose yards and provided the iconic ‘spin move’ touchdown run in the season opener at Virginia Tech. Miller was a two-time team captain who was a member of teams that compiled a 56-11 record from 2011-15 with an undefeated campaign (2012) and the first College Football Playoff national championship (2014).
Kathy Monard
Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field, 1986-87
Kathy Monard remains one of the best distance runners in Ohio State’s track & field and cross country history. The 1986 NCAA individual qualifier finished a program-best ninth in the cross country championships, earning All-America honors. She was also an Outdoor First Team All-America honoree the same year in the 3000m. The two-time First Team All-Big Ten honoree was also the 1987 Big Ten 5000m champion. Monard was a champion on the track and in the classroom as a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. She remains in the Top 3 among the all-time leaders list in three events at Ohio State.
Greg Oden
Men’s Basketball, 2006-07
One of the most recognizable figures both on and off the court, Greg Oden was one of the country’s most dominant players during the 2006-07 season. He was named the National Defensive Player of the Year and helped lead the Buckeyes to a national championship game appearance. He had 25 points and 12 rebounds in the championship game vs. Florida.
A Second Team All-American, Oden averaged 15.7 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game in his lone season. In addition to being named the NABC Defensive Player of the Year, he was also the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and the Pete Newell Big Man Award winner. Behind Oden’s dominance, the Buckeyes won the 2007 Big Ten regular season and Big Ten Tournament titles as well as a program-record 35 games.
After his one year, Oden went on to be the No. 1 overall selection by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2007 NBA Draft. He played parts of six seasons in the NBA before eventually returning to Ohio State in 2016 as a student manager. He spent three seasons as a manager and completed his sport industry degree in 2019. He also served as a graduate assistant for the program during the 2021-22 season.
Tony Russo
Men’s Lacrosse, 2001-04
Tony Russo is one of the greatest players to stand in net for the Ohio State men’s lacrosse program. A captain and four-year starter for the Buckeyes, Russo is the only Buckeye to earn multiple conference player of the year awards. His sophomore season in 2002 saw him post the second-best save percentage in the country and a Top 5 goals-against average. He followed that season up with a junior campaign worthy of Great Western Lacrosse League Player of the Year and First Team All-GWLL honors. Russo helped the Buckeyes to a GWLL title and the first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history that season. In 2004, Russo backstopped Ohio State to back-to-back GWLL regular season titles and NCAA Tournament appearances and picked up his second conference player of the year award.
He finished his collegiate career as the program’s all-time saves leader, a record that still stands today. Russo was a two-time USILA All-American and picked up All-GWLL honors three of his four seasons as a Buckeye. He was a four-time GWLL Player of the Week honoree and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player of the 2002 season and defensive MVP in 2003 and 2004. Russo graduated with a degree in philosophy in 2004.
Gene Smith
Administration, 2005-24
Gene Smith will retire as Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Athletics Director at The Ohio State University at the end of this month after a storied, 19-year career leading the Department of Athletics, one of the most successful and outstanding athletic programs in the country. Smith’s tenure as AD at Ohio State started in April 2005 and is the third-longest among the school’s eight athletics directors.
Under Smith, Ohio State has finished as the No. 1 athletics program in the Big Ten Conference in the Learfield Director’s Cup standing eight times. Ohio State teams have won 117 Big Ten championships and 35 national championships. Smith’s philosophy of developing the ‘total student-athlete’ has resulted in academic achievements concurrent with athletic success, including all 36 teams posting at least a 3.00 cumulative grade point average for 2023-24, 811 Ohio State Scholar-Athletes and 489 Academic All-Big Ten honorees.
Recent construction projects completed under Smith include the Schumaker Olympic Sport Complex, Covelli Arena and Jennings Wrestling Facility, Ty Tucker Tennis Center at Auer Tennis Complex, Field Hockey Stadium and Lacrosse Stadium. In addition, the Eugene D. Smith Leadership Institute (EDSLI) was created, funded by $15 million in private support, to provide leadership, character and career development for all Ohio State student-athletes to best prepare them for life after graduation.
Fund raising was also one of Smith’s gifts. Along with his development team, more than $930 million has been raised since his arrival.
Kyle Snyder
Wrestling, 2015-18
Kyle Snyder lettered and captained the Buckeyes during the four seasons he competed at Ohio State from 2015-18. The four-time All-American helped lead the Buckeyes to the 2015 NCAA Team Championship before winning three individual NCAA crowns at heavyweight from 2016-18. He was the runner-up at 197 pounds in 2015.
Snyder became the youngest world champion and winner of Olympic Gold in U.S. history, claiming the Olympic title for the United States in 2016. He added a silver medal in 2020 and recently qualified for the 2024 Games in Paris. Snyder also is the youngest wrestler ever to win the world, NCAA and Olympic championships in the same year—a triple crown of American wrestling not accomplished in a generation until he completed his sweep at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The three-time All-Big Ten and league heavyweight champion (2016-18) went undefeated in both 2016 (11-0) and 2017 (17-0) while compiling a collegiate record of 75-5. A two-time Ohio State Male Athlete of the Year (2016-17), Snyder was the Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient in 2018.
Internationally, Snyder owns 42 international wrestling competition medals, with 30 gold, six silver and six bronze.
Matt Wilhelm
Football, 1999-2002
Matt Wilhelm was a three-year starter at middle linebacker and one of the cornerstones of the Buckeyes’ 2002 defense that helped them win a national championship. The team’s leading tackler with 121 stops that season, he earned consensus First Team All-America honors and All-Big Ten Conference honors. He still ranks in the Top 10 all-time in career tackles for loss (eighth – 43.5) and single season tackles-for-loss (ninth – 19.5 in 2002). Wilhelm capped off his senior season by registering a team-high 11 tackles in Ohio State’s 31-24 double overtime win against Miami in the BCS National Championship Game. He had career totals of 266 tackles, 34.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 48 games in the Scarlet and Gray.
Wilhelm went one to an eight-year NFL career, spending six of those seasons with the San Diego Chargers. He was also a member of the Super Bowl-winning Green Bay Packers in 2010.
Ohio State Official Press Release
Recent Comments