Buckeye Dreams-The Tyler "Tank" Whaley Story

A Book By Ken Gorden

This past Friday and Saturday, Ken and Tyler both appeared at Bob Linn's Sporting Goods in Ironton for a meet and greet and to autograph copies of Ken's new book, Buckeye Dreams - The Tyler Whaley Story. The book is described as one that chronicles the remarkable rise of a high school player who was told he was too short and too slow to play at a major college, but whose determination and perseverance led him to eventually play a key role on Ohio State's 2007 Big Ten championship team, a team that played for a national title.

The book profiles Whaley's resilient family and his hometown of Ironton, Ohio, an economically depressed but prideful community hungry for one of their own to succeed. Despite being an all-state player for Ironton High School, Whaley was forced to start at the bottom rung at Ohio State, walking onto the team and paying his own way. He labored for years with little reward, before his hard work paid off first with a scholarship and then with playing time. The book details the highs and lows Whaley experienced, from the humiliation of being left out of the team photo in 2003 to his triumphant moment on the field at Michigan Stadium last November.

Ken And Tyler Book Signing

By Joe Holtzapfel  8 - 24- 2008

I went to Bob Linn's in downtown Ironton this past Friday to get my copy of this long awaited book. As I went inside to get my copy and meet with the subject and it's author, I tried to recall some of the things I remember most about Tyler.

 It was about 3 or 4 years ago that Tyler's mom Tammy ask me if I could remember a night about 20 years ago at Greenbo Lodge in Kentucky. I told her I have a hard time remembering what happened yesterday. She then showed me some pictures of yours truly playing with Tyler and holding him when he was about 2 or 3 years old. She jokingly said now we need to get a picture of him holding you. My how fast time goes by!

Five years ago my wife and I went to Columbus to see the game between my beloved Ohio State Buckeyes and the Bowling Green Falcons. I remember it was very chilly that day and we immediately went to St Johns Arena to get out of the cold and to watch TBDBITL. What made this day so special was that this was the day Tyler was to make his
debut with the Scarlet and Gray. We watched as the band raced into St John's and we sat and listened to them play the Buckeye Battle Cry!

Tyler Autographs While Former Ironton Quarterback Andrew Harvey Look On

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