Letters to the Editor Spring 2025

“Rock On” keeps rockin’
I enjoyed reading “Rock On, Athens” (spring 2024), as I attended many concerts during my time as a student. I, too, have several posters and ticket stubs from that timeframe, including the 1973 Ohio University Music Festival poster. Jonathan Edwards was on that bill; in 2016, I surprised him with a copy of the original poster at a show in Rio Grande, Ohio—and he signed my copy.

I have fond West Green memories of living and jamming with other musicians in Grosvenor Hall. Fifty-two years later, I’m still in the music business as a musician, booking agent and promoter. I’ve been blessed to work with hundreds of acts and watch several of them become superstars, including Taylor Swift; Randy Travis and the late Charlie Daniels became good friends, along with many others. Although I graduated with an education degree, my passion was music. I’m thankful that a part of that started in Athens. —Chuck Lipps, BSED ’76

“Rock On, Athens,” brought back a lot of memories of music acts while I attended OU from 1967-71. This was the height of the British Invasion and psychedelic rock. Walking across the West Green, one could hear all manner of music pouring out of the open windows, from Ten Years After, Moby Grape, Small Faces, and of course, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

But the weirdest concert I have ever seen occurred my freshman year in Mem Aud, by The Grateful Dead. The lights went down, and you could see a lot of movement across the stage. The lights were slowly brought up to maybe a quarter intensity to reveal a live goat, a live sheep, two drum kits, a nursing mother and at least a dozen other people just milling around the musicians. The set started, the milling people kept milling, the goat and sheep lasted most of the set, and The Dead did what The Dead does. It was a strange, sometimes fraught, wonderful time to be in college, and OU was front and center. Thanks for sparking those memories with the article. —Ron Rychener, AB ’71

My fondest musical memories at OU include a concert with Paul Revere & the Raiders. I recall going to Club 33 after the concert; Paul and several Raiders were there too, and I danced the Pony with Paul on a big table! Wild child. OU never, ever skimped on its concerts. We always had the best, at the height of their popularity. —Connie (Justice) Crowther, BSJ ’66, via Facebook

My husband and I are always eager to peruse OHIO Today Magazine as soon it arrives. We appreciate all your hard work to make it an excellent publication. If only it came out more often! Because so many alumni live far from Athens, it’s a much-appreciated way to stay connected.

As an avid poster collector, I was especially pumped to read “Rock On, Athens” in the spring 2024 edition, and I was shocked to see a poster of mine! I collected (swiped off a wall) the George Clinton poster on a weekend my husband and I went to Athens for the OU/Miami football game. The very cool poster was framed and hung on the wall of my home for many years.

Last fall I donated a bunch of my memorabilia to the Mahn Center for Archives & Special Collections—including that poster. I was so glad to see it being shared with fellow alumni. Keep up the good work! —Kathleen “Benn” Bennett, BSED ’70

Team spirit
I’ve been happy to see all the fanfare about the 2024 football season; our first MAC Championship since 1968 is long overdue. In my freshman year, the team also won the MAC—and in my junior year, they went 0-10.

The ninth game that year was at home against Bowling Green. Coming out of the locker room after a strong first half, the team paused at the edge of the field. What happened next was one of the greatest spontaneous shows of support I’ve seen in my long association with sports: Students ran across the field and formed two lines for the team to run through. Their cheers sent an implicit message: “Keep your heads up. You’ve had a tough year, but you’re part of us, and we salute you for continuing to play hard.” I still get a warm feeling just thinking about that gesture. —John “Russ” Hamilton, BBA ’67

Unlike any other
Born and raised in Athens, Ohio, and went away for 42 years. Most of that time was spent in Los Angeles and then Albuquerque. I have never seen a community, such as the case with Southeastern Ohio, that gives back so much. This part of the country is truly the best place to live in America. My hat’s off to The Sugar Bush Foundation for doing what they do (“Waste Not,” spring 2024). —John O’Neal, AB ’82, via Facebook

WRITE TO US: OHIO Today Magazine welcomes comments from readers. We reserve the right to edit for grammar, space, clarity and civility. Send letters by email to ohiotoday@ohio.edu or by mail to OHIO Today Magazine, Ohio University, P.O. Box 869, Athens, OH 45701-0869. We regret that we cannot publish all messages received in print or online.

Feature photo: Students, faculty and staff gather for an ice cream social hosted by President Lori Stewart Gonzalez and her cabinet on College Green last spring. Photo by Rich-Joseph Facun, BSVC '01