I almost didn't go.

Saturday my boat was calling and the Lake Erie Walleye were biting, but at the last minute, it was too windy. On the spur of the moment I headed to Columbus and the spring game. The family kidded, "We knew you couldn't stay away".

Good thing. I would have missed a delightful moment.

After halftime, I circled the A deck walkway looking for me storyteller friend Mark MacDonald. Not finding him, I randomly ducked out one of the west portals intending to head home, and walked right into a group of people next to Chic Harley, Chick standing there a smiling life-sized cutout. Thinking it was a gimmick, I strolled over to see what was going on.

It was far from a gimmick and another of those many connections I have stumbled onto that makes the journey of this book sometimes seem preordained. For more than two years, I have been looking for someone to personalize in my book a brief story on the role of Chic Harley in the story of the 'Shoe. After all, if it weren't for Chic, there wouldn't be a 'Shoe and I wouldn't have a book to write. At one time, someone had given me the name of Todd Wessell, one of Chic's great nephews, but I had been unsuccessful in tracking Mr. Wessell down.

As I chatted with a lady at the table I learned that the group was promoting an upcoming book titled The One and Only, a biography of Chic Harley and that the author, Mr. Todd Wessell, was standing right there beside me! What are the odds I would walk up to this gentleman in the middle of 95,000 people, at a game I almost didn't go to?

I introduced myself to Mr. Wessell and we began a most fascinating and lengthy conversation about Chic Harley and the upcoming book. I haven't yet read a page of the manuscript, but it took me about two minutes with the author to stake my reputation that this will be one great read and a book that belongs on every Buckeye bookshelf. The One and Only is the story of Chic's life as told by those who knew him best, his family. Based on family stories, diaries, tape recordings, and family photos it pieces together what is a remarkable story of an extraordinary individual and arguably Ohio State's greatest athlete ever.

Todd Wessell told me it took thirteen years to write this book. (That was quite reassuring since I have been at mine more than three now!) He has done with his Uncle Chic what I hope to do with the Horseshoe, bring history to life for this generation. It was both special and a pleasure to meet and visit with him.

The book is due out in June and if you pre-order now you should have it by Father's Day. It would make a great gift for any Buckeye Dad. You can order the book, and read more about it at the author's website: www.chicharley.com Take a peek! I think you'll be hooked.

And to think, I almost didn't go...