COLUMBUS — Ohio State honored former men’s basketball head coach Thad Matta Wednesday night at halftime of Ohio State’s 72-62 loss to Syracuse.
Matta, who said that he studies the banners in every gym he has eve been in, watched as his name and accomplishments were unveiled on a banner in the rafters next to Evan Turner’s retired No. 21 jersey.
“I’m glad that I didn’t know,” he said of the banner. “I thought they were going to have a rocking chair or something like that, or golf balls. To me, and I may be different, but tonight is probably is the greatest honor that I’ve ever received. And at the exact same time, it’s one of the most humbling experiences that I’ve ever had in my life.”
Matta wasn’t able to watch the team as much as he would have liked last year because of scheduling, but makes it a point to watch the Buckeyes every Saturday on the football field.
He also said that he holds no grudges towards Ohio State, but that it’s also easier to do so given how well things are going under Chris Holtmann.
You can see in the video below at how much this meant to Matta as he held back tears during the ceremony.
Congrats well deserved. He set a very high standard for OSU.
This was a great choice- well deserved for a great coach and a class person.