Expert: Thom Brooks - 10/22/2007

Question
QUESTION: What did Paul Balliner or it is Paul Balligner have to do with the 1957 team?

ANSWER: Susan, hello!

I cannot find anything on Paul Balliner or Paul Balligner.  Are you looking for him because he played on the 1957 team?  Tell me your purpose and it will allow me to look in other places!

Thanks,

Thom Brooks



In 1957 Ohio State won all of its remaining games after an opening loss to claim the Big Ten championship, win the Rose Bowl over Oregon, and share a national championship title with Auburn, for which Hayes was named Coach of the Year.

Buckeyes vs. UW in Seattle
1957 Ohio State 37, Washington 7 In Jim Owens' first year as UW's coach, the Buckeyes cruised in true "3 yards and a cloud of dust" fashion, rushing for 290 of their 353 yards.



1957 football champs hold 50th reunion
BY JIM NAVEAU - 10.20.2007
COLUMBUS — Two players with area ties will be among the nearly 40 members of Ohio State’s 1957 national champion football team who will be honored between the first and second quarter of the Buckeyes’ game against Michigan State today. Galen Cisco, of St. Marys, was a starting fullback and linebacker on the 1957 team. Lima Central High School graduate Ron Cook was a back-up offensive tackle. Interestingly, both Ohio State and Michigan State claim a national title in 1957. The Buckeyes, who finished 8-1, base their claim on being voted No. 1 in the United Press and Football Writers of America polls. Michigan State, also 8-1, was No. 1 according to the Billingsley poll, the Dunkel poll and the Sagarin ratings. “Is that right? I didn’t know that,” Cisco said about Michigan State saying it was national champion. Actually, three teams claim the 1957 mythical crown. Auburn was voted No. 1 in The Associated Press poll, followed by Ohio State and Michigan State. The returning Ohio State players met for dinner on Friday night and relived old memories and re-told old stories. “The longer you’re away from it, the better the stories get,” Cisco said, with a laugh. Dick Schafrath, Jim Houston and Dick LeBeau were among the players on the 1957 roster who went on to play in the NFL. Cisco pitched several years in the major leagues and had a long career as a pitching coach. Kicker Don Sutherin played two years in the NFL, then went on to become a Canadian Football League Hall of Famer. IMPROVED LINE PLAY: If it seems like Ohio State’s offensive line has improved since the beginning of the season, it looks that same way to the people on the line. “We definitely had some struggles working together at first,” guard Ben Person said. “We’ve made a lot of good strides, we’ve improved a lot. We’ve definitely gotten better.” Ohio State ranks fourth in the Big Ten in rushing and second in fewest sacks allowed with seven. Center Jim Cordle and Person are the two first-year starters on the line. Cordle has snapped the ball left-handed instead of using his right hand the last two games after suffering an injury to his right thumb. HOOSIERS: Defensive lineman Dexter Larimore and cornerback Donald Washington are a rarity — starters at Ohio State from Indiana high schools. Washington is from Indianapolis and Larimore is from Merrillville. “I hear that all the time how Ohio football is a lot better than Indiana,” said Larimore, who also was recruited by Michigan. “I do have a pride that for me and Donald, we have a little bit more to prove than some of the other guys.” Larimore and Washington each won individual state championships in other sports in high school. Larimore’s was in wrestling and Washington was a two-time state long jump champion in track.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes he was honored at the Michigan State Game on Saturday and then I saw several people asking for his autograph at dinner.  He was with Galen Cisco (sp?) who was the captain of the 1957 OSU Football team.

Answer
If I can get a roster of the 1957 team, I will forward it for your inspection.  I'm a Georgia BullDog fan but like the Ohio State fan base.  They seem to be noble in their support.

Have an incredible week!

Listen to my son's band at:
myspace.com/listen2three

Thom Brooks