Spencer Holbrook: Lettermen Row is chance to live out a dream
I love Columbus.
Most people in this state are loyal to one of the three major cities, sure. But it’s usually because they grew up in one of those cities. But that’s not me.
I grew up in a small town of about 100 people — seriously — roughly an hour northwest of Columbus. I never experienced living in the city as a kid. But getting to Columbus was always a treat.
When I decided to look at schools, Ohio State was a dream school. I would’ve loved to move to Columbus at 18 and learn on the massive campus with 60,000 of my best friends.
But life had other plans, and I chose Ohio University in Athens, the greatest college town in America. Honestly, I think that was for the best. I know Columbus. I’ve experienced things around Ohio State. Ohio was a new perspective for me.
A few weeks ago, Austin Ward reached out to me and discussed the possibility and opportunity to move to Columbus once I graduate and my time in Athens runs out.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day will open his first season in charge against Florida Atlantic. (Birm/Lettermen Row)
Athens will always hold a special place in my heart, but Columbus just feels like home. Sportswriting has opened a couple doors for this 22-year-old already, and I can’t wait to see what others it opens.
One thing I know now is this: I enrolled at Ohio University in 2015. In 2016, I found out Ohio State would open with Florida Atlantic in 2019. Since then, it’s been a goal of mine to do two things.
I wanted to move to Columbus, the city I love, before that game. And I wanted to sit in the Ohio Stadium press box for that game against the Owls.
Lettermen Row is giving me the chance to do both.
A chance to write on a rising platform to tell real stories with professionals such as Austin and Birm. A chance to cover a team featuring a first-year head coach with national championship hopes alongside beat writers I have envied for years. A chance to live a dream that I thought may be too outlandish.
I’m joining Lettermen Row to be part of something great.
Thanks to Austin, Birm, Will and everyone else at Lettermen Row, a small-town kid gets to begin his career in the city he loves.
Editor’s note: Welcome Spencer to our team and follow him on Twitter. Lettermen Row is excited to have him on board to bolster our growing coverage of both football and basketball at Ohio State.
