Dr. John Becker has combined careers in education, wildlife conservation, writing, and speaking. While an undergraduate, he played ice hockey, and was an alternate captain on Ohio State’s first varsity hockey team. He received his Bachelor’s degree in 1964 from The Ohio State University in the field of physical education, and taught in the elementary schools of Pontiac, Michigan. After returning to Ohio State and receiving his Master’s and Ph.D. degrees, he taught at Macalester College, where he also served as head coach of the ice hockey team. In 1971 he became an assistant professor at the University of Florida in the teacher education program.

In 1978, Dr. Becker became an administrator of the Columbus, Ohio, Zoo and worked at the zoo for nine years. In 1986, he was named Director of Program Development for Coastal American Field Studies. He then became a consultant with The Wilds, a 9000 acre endangered wildlife preserve in Ohio. In 1988, he was a founder, and Executive Director, of the International Society for Endangered Cats (ISEC). He served in that capacity for seven years.

Since 1978, Dr. Becker has given over 2,500 presentations across the United States and Canada. The majority of the presentations have been at elementary schools, but he has also spoken at 45 zoos and nature centers, given papers at 15 zoological conferences, spoken at over 30 colleges and universities, and has been a presenter at several writer’s conferences.

Dr. Becker published a fictional picture book, Mugambi’s Journey, with Gingham Dog Press in 2005. He has also written a series of nonfiction books for children entitled “Returning Wildlife” for KidHaven Press. Books in the series include; North American River Otters, North American Beavers, Bats, Bald Eagles, Wild Turkeys, The North American Bison, Manatees, Florida Panthers, Grizzly Bears, Gray Wolves, American Alligators, Green Sea Turtles, California Condors, Gray Whales, and Northern Elephant Seals. He has also written a series of nonfiction children’s books for Seedling Publications including; Cheetahs, Hawks, Snow Leopards, Camels, Kangaroos, Giraffes, Owls, and Scarlet Macaws. He also co-authored a college textbook, Perceptual-Motor Learning - Theory and Practice, for Peek Publications. He has written for Highlights For Children, Hopscotch For Girls, Wild Outdoor World, Chickadee, Animals, Boys’ Life, Georgia Wildlife, ZooLife, and Wildlife Conservation magazines.

Dr. Becker is now a full-time freelance writer. He teaches writing at the Thurber Writing Academy. He is also an artist with the Greater Columbus Arts Council’s “Artist-in-Schools” program, and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Popularity: 16% [?]

This week’s poll question is sponsored by: ClearSaleing

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Popularity: 36% [?]

After the Washington game I am a lot more confident in the offense’s ability to score points although I must admit I was a little dismayed at Tress’s apologizing to Ty for Brandon Saine’s last TD run. I’m not the guy that likes to embarrass the opponent ….but we need to quit throttling the kids back once we get a comfortable lead. Let the kids play, call the plays like they are going for a score and make sure there is NO chance that they can make a come back.

We used to beat Northwestern by scores like 65-10 and 54-0. Our goal as a first team offense was to build a big lead in the first half and be out of the game after our first TD drive in the third quarter. I don’t think there is any reason why we can’t score those kind of points. The Wildcats do have better athletes now then they did back then but they lost to Duke.

The offense needs to continue run the football effectively and keep the NU defense on their heals for the play action pass. Beanie needs to continue to run down hill and lower that shoulder when he gets a chance. It would be my bet that Tress will lock up a good portion of the play book once he gets a lead but that also means we may be seeing some other stuff he wants future opponents to see on tape. Keep it up O - need to be much better for Wisconsin and Penn St.

Defense is playing very well but they are still young and can continue to improve. I saw them using Jenkins in a safety roll in certain coverages meaning they are getting some confidence in the other young corners. That is a very good sign. Expect to see even more of Thadeous Gibson and Austin Spitler. They both continue to make plays when they are out there.

Overall, it’s going to be a great day for football and even with the pull back offensively, the Bucks should prevail 38-13.

GO BUCKS!!

Popularity: 34% [?]

I attended the 40th anniversary of the Scholar-Athlete Recognition Dinner last night. Wow. What a statement about Ohio State’s commitment to academics. In total, 462 Scholar-Athletes were recognized - a record number.

Kellen Harkness (diving) and Saskia Mueller (field hockey) walked away with the prestigious Big Ten Medal of Honor, which is awarded annually to the top senior male and female Scholar-Athletes. The award comes with a $5,000 postgraduate scholarship.

A few things are worth noting about the event:

• the number of Scholar-Athletes recognized was staggering. No one should have any doubt about Ohio State’s academic excellence.
• the Scholar-Athletes are much more involved in outside activities and charities compared to when I was in school. The demands on their time keep increasing. I really don’t know how they fit everything in.
• the number of International students receiving awards was impressive. This says a great deal about Ohio State’s ability to attract the top talent from around the world.
• there’s always a freshman who wears shorts to a jacket-and-tie banquet.

If you’re an Ohio State fan, you can really take pride in the accomplishments of our Scholar-Athletes.

Popularity: 39% [?]

During his 17 years as an assistant football coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes, Bill Conley coached tight ends, linebackers, defensive ends and special teams for head coaches Earle Bruce, John Cooper and Jim Tressel. All-American and/or eventual NFL players he coached include Cris Carter, Thomas “Pepper” Johnson, Chris Spielman, Mike Vrabel, Andy Groom, B.J. Sander, Ben Hartsock, Darnell Sanders and Mike Nugent.

Conley coached teams that included the 2002 national champions, and others earning berths in numerous bowl games, including the Rose, Fiesta, Outback, Sugar, Citrus, Holiday, Hall of Fame and Cotton Bowls.

As the Buckeyes’ recruiting coordinator in 1991 and 1992, and then from 1994 to 2004, Conley distinguished himself and gained national acclaim. Recognized by ESPN as the No. 1 college football recruiter in the country, Conley consistently brought high-impact or “franchise” players to Ohio State. A few of those players include Eddie George, Orlando Pace, Terry Glenn, Greg Bellisari, Andy Katzenmoyer, Chris Gamble, Nate Salley and Mike Nugent.

Conley is a graduate of The Ohio State University, where he was a member of three Big Ten championship teams, including the 1968 national championship team, under legendary head coach Woody Hayes. Conley earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Ohio State, and a master’s degree in administration from Wright State University.

In the spring of 2004, Conley retired from Ohio State and was named vice president at MAX Sports Center, a sports medicine and athletic performance institute in Columbus, Ohio. Today, he works to improve the skills of the nation’s top athletes, while keeping his ears to the ground for coaches looking for that next franchise player. Along with being one of the nation’s top motivational speakers, Conley is also a radio sports analyst for 610 WTVN in Columbus, Ohio.

Popularity: 17% [?]

He was a star basketball player and world-class high jumper. Then former Ohio State athlete Otis Winston decided to put down his ball, kick off his sneakers, and pick up a pen.

Otis Winston brings a fresh, compelling vision to film. With an idea and pen in hand, this powerful contemporary voice offers a “wise beyond years” perspective creatively translated from page to screen.

Winston, originally from northeast Ohio, speaks with the grace of a survivor and the confidence of a visionary. Throughout his life, he was always conscious of how choices aligned consequences in his life. He admits that it was the hard times that molded him into who he is today, and led him to realize that life isn’t supposed to be figured out—it is supposed to be lived. It is that honesty that supports the foundation of his work, as he seeks to uncompromisingly explore life’s realities in a creative format.

Interestingly, his discipline as a highly-trained athlete ultimately led to his focus and commitment for writing and filmmaking. The Ohio State University graduate learned to be physically as well as mentally creative on the court and field as he played basketball and competed in track. He admits that as an aspiring pro-athlete at that time, many of his dreams revolved around achieving in athletics. It wasn’t until circumstances shifted his career that Otis had to take a hard look at the relevance of his aspirations, and determine if they were a reflection of his true calling. He realizes today that his purpose is spiritually guided and the experience gained through competing as an athlete fuels the discipline and creative edge he needs to succeed in any arena.

Rooted in true wisdom, Winston’s words reveal a new vision. Spiritually guided, this talented mind shares with us his take on the powerful revelations of life.

This husband and father of two, is also an ordained minister in Columbus Ohio. Besides the screenplays, Otis is currently pitching a sitcom and drama in Hollywood and has many more in his vault at his production company 2nd Wind Productions.

Popularity: 18% [?]

For more than 30 years, Archie Griffin has held the distinction as college football’s only two-time Heisman Trophy winner. That is an honor no one else can claim, but it falls far short of describing the man he is today.

Archie became president and CEO of the Ohio State Alumni Association on Jan. 1, 2004. On that day, he became the leader of one of the biggest dues-supported alumni associations in the world. At 130,000 members strong, the association works to help all graduates and former students to stay connected and make Ohio State stronger.

Archie has followed his record-setting and extensively honored football career with work in human resources, athletics administration, and now, nonprofit corporation leadership.

His football and professional success are more than matched by his community service. He and his wife, Bonita, started foundations to support Olympic sports at Ohio State and youth development in Central Ohio. He is a member of at least six charitable organizations and often heads campaigns to raise funds and awareness for important causes.

Popularity: 18% [?]

Dr. John Frank, originally from Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, came to Ohio State as a tight end in 1980. During his four year career with the Buckeyes, he played in four bowl games including two Fiesta Bowls, the Holiday Bowl and the Liberty Bowl while Ohio State shared the Big Ten Championship title in 1982. In 1983, John was voted team captain and voted most valuable and most inspirational player. He won All Big Ten honors as well as Academic All-American honors and was awarded the Western Conference Medal of honor. In 1999, he was voted into the Ohio State sports hall of fame and still holds the record for the most career pass receptions by a tight end.

John Frank was drafted in the second round of the 1984 NFL draft and played five years with the San Francisco Forty Niners, during which time the Forty Niners won two World Championships. In 1989, John returned to Columbus to complete medical school at Ohio State. He went on to finish an Otolaryngology residency at Loyola University in Chicago and received board certification in 1999. Subsequently, Dr. Frank obtained additional training in facial plastic surgery and opened a plastic surgery clinic in San Francisco in 1999. In 2003, Dr. Frank shifted his focus to hair restoration and moved to New York City where he became one of the country’s most prolific hair and scalp surgeons. In 2006, after performing over 2000 hair transplants, Dr. Frank discovered a non-surgical process aimed at preventing hair loss and opened Anapelli Hair Clinic in New York. In addition, Dr. Frank continued his more formal medical endeavors and entered into a skull base fellowship at Columbia University’s St. Lukes/Roosevelt Hospital.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Jim Karsatos was born in Fullerton California, and was named California player of the year in 1981.He was OSU quarterback from 1981 to 1986 and was named Team captain in 1986 and was named to the 2nd Team All Big Ten Team MVP in 1985. Jim continued his sports career at the Miami Dolphins from 1987-1988, and was an active public speaker and a 15 year radio broadcaster for Ohio State Football. Jim is currently the President of the Central Ohio Chapter of the NFL Alumni Association as well as on the Board of Directors for the National NFL Alumni Association. Jim is on the board of Directors of the Children’s Hospital Foundation and is the President of Champions for Children at Children’s Hospital. He just finished his term as president on the Board of Directors of the Central Ohio Chapter of Alzheimers Association but still remains active in the organization. Jim was also one of the original minority owners of the Columbus Destroyers.

He has 2 twin sons (CJ and Danny) – age 6 and an older son (Nick) - age 9.

He currently is the President and CEO of Karsatos Financial Network and the managing partner of Credible Resource Management.

Popularity: 20% [?]

A graduate of St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, Greg was a co captain of the 1990 Ohio State Football Buckeyes, a 4 year letterman, and a 3 year starter at quarterback. He also lettered his final two years in baseball and was a member of the 1991 Big Ten Champion Baseball Buckeyes.

Greg still remains the only quarterback in Ohio State history to throw for 2,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, and he is remembered for leading memorable comebacks versus LSU in 1988, Minnesota 1989 (31 points), and Iowa 1990. The Minnesota comeback still ranks as the 2nd greatest in college football history!

Greg is proud of his scholar athlete honors as well. He was a HONDA National Scholar Athlete in 1989 and 1990, and a National Football Foundation / College Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete post graduate scholarship winner in 1990.

After receiving his BA from Ohio State in 1991 (English & Military History), Greg played professionally for the Ohio Glory of the World Football League, and Cleveland Thunderbolts of the Arena Football League, and was drafted in the 62nd round of the 1991 baseball draft by the Detroit Tigers.

Greg is currently a commercial realtor with Crawford Hoying Smith Real Estate Services (CHS) in Dublin. CHS is a full service real estate firm focusing on commercial and investment real estate in Central Ohio.

Greg can also be seen providing color commentary on CSN (Columbus Sports Network) covering the Columbus Destroyers of the Arena Football League, and on ONN (Ohio News Network) covering state high school football playoffs and championships.

Football is still very much a part of Greg’s life, as he is the Offensive Coordinator at Pickerington North High School. He also trains Quarterbacks and Receivers in the football off season. Former and current students include Brady Quinn (ND), Jake Kastan (Bexley HS and Tufts University), and Connor Dietz (2006 Div 1 State Champs Hilliard Davidson).

Greg and his wife Jen reside in Bexley.

Popularity: 17% [?]