To my readers.....I received a follow-up from my friend Jan Lust tonight about his story “Words of Wisdom”, which I posted below. A link to this post was placed on the TBDBITL alumni news group, along with Jan's email address. Since that time, Jan has received nearly 500 emails from Buckeye's around the country moved by his message! The outpouring inspired Jan to send an email to Coach Tressel with the following words of encouragement. With Jan’s permission, I have reprinted below his email to Coach. Jan's story and experience is emblematic of what it means to be a Buckeye....Steve

Coach Tressel:
My name is Jan Lust. You don't know me, but I am a great fan of yours and The Ohio State University Football Program. I am 63 years old and played in the Ohio State Marching Band from 1962 thru 1967. I now live in Florida (of all places). After the game Monday night a series of events were triggered that led me to write an e-mail story to my friend Steve Davis (Author of Stories of the Shoe). He has placed that e-mail on his website, which is linked below, and underneath that, I have pasted the story I sent him.

I know your job demands that you must always come up with ways to keep the team motivated and inspired, but who inspires the coach? This is why I am sending this to you. Please read the article, I think it can help inspire a great coach in these times! Your team might well be interested in this little bit as well. Even in recruiting, it is much better to expand on what we did rather than didn't. I have received hundreds of supportive e-mails, including one from Dave Koehler (Channel 10 News)...he and I were in the band together. I hope this in some small way can help everyone feel better about knowing what it is to be a Buckeye.

I just wanted share this with you, and say thank you.

Jan Lust