FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009                                                    

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State alumnus Tyson Gentry, a former football player for the Buckeyes, will be presented with the E. Gordon Gee Spirit of Ohio State Award at the 2009 Alumni Awards on Sept. 25 at the Hyatt Regency Columbus, 350 N. High St.

"Tyson has shown exceptional perseverance and dedication in earning his college degree," said Archie Griffin, president and CEO of Ohio State University Alumni Association. "He clearly has the ability to overcome significant obstacles in pursuit of the things that are important to him. He truly represents the best of the Buckeye spirit."

The E. Gordon Gee Spirit of Ohio State Award is presented to Ohio State alumni who demonstrate a devotion to Ohio State and promote school spirit with integrity and honor in an effort to elevate the university and its history. Previous winners of the Gee Award include Gee, Jim Tressel, John T. Mount, and Student-Alumni Council.

Gentry graduated from Ohio State in June with a B.A. in Speech and Hearing Sciences. He came to Ohio State and walked on the football team in 2004 as a punter, hoping to play for the Buckeyes like his father, Bob, did in the early 1970s. In April of 2006, Gentry moved to receiver for spring practices and suffered a broken vertebra in his neck that left him partially paralyzed. He was honorary captain for Ohio State's Fiesta Bowl appearance against Texas in January 2009.

Gentry is one of 16 Ohio State alumni being honored at the 51st annual ceremony. Other honorees include: Samira Kanaan Beckwith (Alumni Medalist); Hongor J. Oulanoff (Heinlen Award); Terina Joann Matthews and Mac A. Stewart (Failer Award); George Acock, Jr., Russel E. Kaufman, and Harry P. Bahrick (Professional Achievement Award); Aimee C. Nezhukumatahil, Jacqueline Nwando Olayiwola, and Daniel R. Prophater (Thompson Award); Robert B. Horton, Susan L. Hubbell, and Velma Vizedom Everhart (Mershon Award); and Edmund Casper and Bernard J. Scott (Duncan Award).

For more information, visit www.ohiostatealumni.org/awards/history.php.

The Alumni Association is a dues-supported organization of graduates, former students, and friends of the university with more than 120,000 members.

Contact: Jay Hansen
(614) 292-9311