09/11/96
CONTACT: Doug McCabe, Ohio University Archives and Special Collections, 614/593-0138
ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio University Bobcats and the Army Cadets have never met on the gridiron prior to this Saturday's (Sept. 14) game, but their relationship dates to the 18th century, when Maj. Gen . Rufus Putnam proposed the two schools be built. Buildings on the U.S. Military Academy and Ohio University campuses are named in Putnam's honor.
In 1778, Gen. George Washington ordered Putnam to a site along the Hudson River where Putnam oversaw a regiment in the construction of a fort to keep the British from cutting the American colonies in two.
In 1783, Putnam suggested to Washington that "here should the art of gunnery and fortification be taught." The U.S. Military Academy w as later constructed on the site. Fort Putnam on the West Point campus was named after Rufus Putnam and still stands today.
Putnam's link to Ohio University came later when he successfully lobbied Congress to award land to Revolutionary War veterans in the Northwest Territory and led the pioneers who came to Athens in 1797. He surveyed the land on the site of Ohio University, the first university in the Northwest Territory. Putnam and Manasseh Cutler are co-founders of Ohio University.
Another connection between the universities will interest scholars and veterans of World War II. The Ohio University Libraries house the Cornelius Ryan Collection. Ryan, author of The Longest Day, The Last Battle and A Bridge Too Far, interviewed numerous West Point graduates before writing his books.
The Bobcats arrive in West Point 2-0 for the 1996 season after defeating Akron University and Hawaii, Ohio's best start in 20 years.