Newcomerstown Now raising funds for mural of Cy Young and Woody Hayes

Spring is here, and Newcomerstown Now is tackling another major point of interest as one of their many planned projects. The group, known for its revitalizing efforts, is planning a mural to honor Newcomerstown favorite sons Cy Young and Woody Hayes. A July softball tournament has been planned to help cover the cost of the mural.

Denton True “Cy” Young was born near Newcomerstown in 1867. At the age 23, he began his major league career playing for 21 seasons. Cy’s career was so highly successful, the annual award to the best major league pitcher is called the Cy Young Award.

Woody Hayes grew up in Newcomerstown, starring as captain of the Newcomerstown High School football team as a senior. He went on to play tackle at Denison University, graduating in 1935. Three years later, he was the head football coach for New Philadelphia High School then served his country for the next few years. Upon his return to the states, Woody took over as the head coach at his alma mater, finishing his three-year tenure on an 18-game winning streak that saw his teams capture back-to-back Ohio Athletic Conference titles. After turning Miami University around in two seasons, Ohio State came calling and Hayes answered. Woody guided the Buckeyes to five national championships and 13 Big Ten crowns, producing three Heisman Trophy winners and 56 first-team All-Americans on the way to 205 wins from 1951-1978.

Chad Elliott, athletic director for Newcomerstown High School, is the one who came up with the idea of a mural.

Lisa Spillman, treasurer of the group, said "He reached out to me last summer/fall about the Cy Young/Woody Hayes mural when the Barn Artist was working on the latest project at the high school. The Barn Artist, Scott Hagan, specializes in hand painting larger than life designs on various types of structures. He is best known for painting barns − hence the name the Barn Artist. Hagan is also well-known for painting projects at schools, such as gymnasium wall murals." Last year he painted the gymnasium at Newcomerstown High School, including a 100-foot wide mural with the word “Trojans” in letters that are 14-feet tall.

Newcomerstown Now met with Elliott and Hagan and it was decided the mural would be painted on the Elks building on Main Street. Hagan will begin the $14,000 project in May.

A fundraising two-day, single elimination softball tournament will be held July 27-28, at Cy Young Park. Sixteen teams − each made up of six males and four females − are needed. Team entry fee is $200, which includes a jersey and water for each player. Team sponsorships are $1,000 and includes the business name on the team’s jersey, their logo on a sleeve and promotions throughout the games. Tournament sponsorships are $500.

For more information contact James Conner at 330-260-1647 or via email at James.A.Conner@ColonialLifeSales.com.

A goal marker will be placed on the corner of Bridge and Main streets by the Huntington Bank Parking lot. Donations can be made on the Newcomerstown Now website or during business hours at the village administration building.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Scott Hagan to paint Newcomerstown mural of Cy Young and Wood Hayes