Otterbein "O" Club

The Otterbein "O" Club is an unincorporated nonprofit association, operated separately from the College by a volunteer board of directors. Established in 1955 by Edwin "Dubbs" Roush and the late Francis "Red" Bailey, the "O" Club's mission is to aid and assist Otterbein College's athletic department.

Over its 54-year history, the "O" Club has provided millions of dollars of support and services to Otterbein College. More recently the "O" Club was instrumental in jointly funding and raising funds for the new $3.2 million Memorial Stadium, dedicated in 2005. As part of this project the "O" Club also designed and furnished the $75,000 "O" Club Room inside Memorial Stadium used by departments throughout the campus for small group meetings and receptions. In 2008, the "O" Club fully funded the $86,000 "O" Club Weight Room, opened March 31. It includes $43,000 of new equipment as well as new flooring and walls. The new weight facility is used by student-athletes and non-student-athletes alike.

In the early years the primary focus of the "O" Club was to support the football program by raising money for scholarships, finding summer employment and, in general, assisting in the recruiting of "good, worthy athletes." Changes in Ohio Athletic Conference, NCAA Division III, and Otterbein College rules, regulations and policies have altered the "O" Club’s role but the mission remains the same: to aid and assist Otterbein College’s athletic department.

In the past the "O" Club provided financial support for the purchase of athletic shoes, uniforms, equipment and championship rings for all programs. For decades the "O" Club played an important role in subsidizing student-athlete transportation. This effort was significantly enhanced when the late Dorothy McVay donated her private coach to the "O" Club in 1987. The "O" Club maintained the coach, extensively renovated it in 1999, and then donated it to the College in 2002. During that time, thousands of Otterbein’s student-athletes traveled on the coach, known as the "O" Club Bus. The "O" Club was also responsible for the purchase of several vans for the College.

The "O" Club has a long history of financially supporting both new athletic facility construction as well as renovations to existing athletic facilities for all sports programs at Otterbein College. The "O" Club has also been helpful in providing volunteers and financial support for tournament events and invitationals.

The "O" Club is open to all persons and businesses who wish to support Otterbein College athletics. The Directors suggest an annual donation of $25 to $50 to help defray operating costs. Lifetime dues are $1,000. Likewise, membership to the "O" Club Foundation, established in 1981, is also $1,000. Interested parties are also encouraged to attend and/or participate otherwise in "O" Club events.

For more information, contact the "O" Club office at 614/823-3555 or oclub-home@columbus.rr.com.