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- Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all a Goodnight
Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all a Goodnight
. Ben Stiller, First on the web, and NIL
The Scarlet Letter
November 25, 2024
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Top of Mind
Ohio State Prepares to Pay the Piper
Ohio State is set to revolutionize college athletics by initiating direct payments to its student-athletes starting in July. Athletic Director Ross Bjork announced this groundbreaking change following a whopping $2.78 billion settlement in the House vs. NCAA lawsuits, marking a significant departure from traditional collegiate sports financing. This new era at Ohio State begins with a "revenue sharing" model, earmarking over $20 million annually for athletes across all sports, with anticipated yearly increases of at least 4%.
This isn't just a financial adjustment; it's a strategic overhaul. The university will replace the conventional scholarship limits with more flexible roster limits, potentially increasing scholarships by 91 but reducing the total number of athletes by 150. This bold move aims to ensure fair compensation, reflecting the significant revenues athletes generate for their programs.
The commitment to maintaining excellence in all 36 varsity sports remains unwavering, as affirmed by Bjork and President Ted Carter. Despite previous concerns—like the potential cutting of men’s gymnastics scholarships—the leadership at Ohio State has pledged to sustain scholarship support across all sports.
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Funding these enhancements requires some financial gymnastics, given Ohio State's status as one of the nation’s few financially independent athletic programs. The plan includes increasing football ticket prices and expanding fundraising efforts, calling on the Buckeye community to bolster the transition. With ticket prices set to rise to $44 for all games starting in 2025, Bjork encourages fans to engage more deeply, hinting at enhanced donor opportunities soon to be unveiled.
As Ohio State navigates these changes, it promises to keep supporters in the loop, ensuring that Buckeye Nation is well-informed and involved. This shift not only promises to better support the athletes but also redefines the role of sports in academic institutions, positioning Ohio State at the forefront of this historic transformation in collegiate athletics.
Scarlet Letter Trivia
Question: According to AAA how many Ohioans will be traveling this Thanksgiving?
A) 3.2 million
B) 1.8 million
C) 6.7 million
D) 2.4 million
Old News, New Tricks: How The Columbus Dispatch Went Online and Made History
The title page of the first newspaper published on the internet
On July 1, 1980, The Columbus Dispatch made history as the first newspaper to venture into the online world. While most of America was still grappling with bulky typewriters and morning paper deliveries, The Dispatch boldly stepped into the future. Partnering with local tech innovator CompuServe, the newspaper became the first to beam its content straight into homes equipped with a home computer and a telephone.
Let’s pause for a moment and appreciate how groundbreaking this was. At the time, “going online” required a computer the size of a small car, a screeching modem, and a lot of patience. Yet, on that summer day in 1980, The Dispatch officially became the first commercial daily newspaper to publish its content digitally, marking the beginning of an era we now take for granted.
For those lucky enough to have a RadioShack TRS-80 computer or similar device, logging into The Dispatch was like entering a new dimension. The process was hardly what we’d call seamless today—you’d dial a number, wait for the modem to connect, and then watch as green text scrolled across your monochrome screen. But for the first time, news wasn’t confined to print or broadcast; it was right there, on a computer screen, ready whenever you were. The Associated Press soon followed suit, making the leap to digital delivery, but The Dispatch will forever hold the title of first.
And who made it possible? Enter CompuServe, a local Columbus company quietly revolutionizing the world of connectivity. Originally founded in 1969 as a computer time-sharing service for businesses, CompuServe realized in the late ‘70s that their massive mainframes sat idle most nights. So, in a stroke of brilliance, they opened up their computing power to everyday people. This move turned CompuServe into the first major online information service provider and laid the groundwork for digital communication as we know it.
CompuServe wasn’t just a tech company; it was a cultural force. Subscribers could send email (yes, even in 1980), check the weather, book flights, and yes, read The Columbus Dispatch. They even created online communities and chat rooms that feel eerily similar to today’s social media—except with fewer influencers and more screeching modems.
CompuServe’s partnership with The Dispatch wasn’t just a local success story; it was a seismic shift. It proved that digital news delivery was not only possible but also practical. That partnership helped pave the way for the online content ecosystem we now live in—a world where news is at our fingertips 24/7.
Today, CompuServe’s name might not be as widely recognized, and The Dispatch has long since moved past its Qube system days, but their pioneering partnership remains a testament to Columbus’s role in shaping the digital world. So, the next time you scroll through headlines on your phone, take a moment to remember: it all started here, in 1980, with The Columbus Dispatch and the bold idea that news didn’t have to come in ink-stained pages.
Columbus may not be Silicon Valley, but when it comes to trailblazing tech, we’ve got our own bragging rights.
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Wilmington Welcomes Hollywood: Ben Stiller's "Nutcrackers" Films in Ohio
Wilmington, OH—Just an hour north of Columbus, the usually quiet town of Wilmington, Ohio, has been abuzz as Hollywood A-listers Ben Stiller and Linda Cardellini transformed local spots into the backdrop for their upcoming comedy, Nutcrackers. The film, a riotous exploration of family dynamics during the holidays, chose the picturesque Janson Family Farm as its primary location.
Beyond the farm, Wilmington’s dance studio and the venerable Murphy Theater also snagged roles in the production, spotlighting our local charm on the big screen. The film's young stars, who actually grew up on the Janson Family Farm, brought an authentic small-town flair to their roles, infusing the film with genuine heart and humor.
Director David Gordon Green expressed his excitement about the choice of location: “It was exhilarating to integrate Wilmington’s unique vibe into our film,” he shared. He praised Stiller for his commitment, noting how he inspired the local non-actor cast, especially the children. “Ben's hands-on approach brought out a natural, spirited performance from our young stars,” Green commented./
Nutcrackers is set to premiere on Hulu on November 29 and features a talented ensemble including Edi Patterson, Tim Heidecker, and Toby Huss. Stiller himself has warmly thanked Wilmington, noting on social media, “Thanks everyone in Wilmington for being so kind and generous. Loved filming here!”
As we count down to the film's release, Wilmington can bask in its newfound cinematic fame. Nutcrackers promises to sprinkle a bit of Hollywood magic on our Ohio holiday season. With the town still buzzing from star sightings, this could mark just the beginning of Wilmington’s journey as a film industry darling. Watch out, Hollywood; Wilmington is ready for its close-up!
Trivia Answer:
A: 3.2 million Across the state, nearly 3 million Ohioans are expected to drive, more than 275,000 are expected to fly, and another 94,000 plan use other means of transportation, such as buses, cruises, or train travel.
Bye Bye
