Ohio’s Game Changers
A weekend of history honoring the Portsmouth Spartans and the 1932 Iron Man Game that changed football.
December 4–5, 2026
This December, Shawnee State University will continue its celebration of Ohio’s sports legacy with Ohio’s Game Changers, a two-day weekend of events funded in part by the America 250-Ohio Commission, honoring the Portsmouth Spartans, the southern Ohio franchise that helped build the National Football League and later became the Detroit Lions.
These events bring together historians, authors, and the community to explore the Spartans’ legacy and Portsmouth’s place in professional football history. In addition, December 4th marks the 94th anniversary of the legendary 1932 Iron Man Game, the Spartans’ victory over the Green Bay Packers that helped set the stage for the first postseason championship game in NFL history.
These events are free, and the community is invited to join Shawnee State University in celebrating this milestone weekend, honoring a team that helped shape the modern game.
These events are free and open to the public.
The Legacy of the NFL Spartans: Panel Discussion
Friday, December 4 | 6:30 pm
Flohr Lecture Hall, Clark Memorial Library
Historians and authors discuss the personalities, rivalries, and innovations that made Portsmouth a pioneering NFL city, from stars Dutch Clark, Father Lumpkin, Ace Gutowsky, and Glenn Presnell to head coach Potsy Clark, Wednesday night football under the lights, and the fierce rivalry with the Green Bay Packers.
The Panel features:
Chris Willis, Head Archivist at NFL Films; Emmy Award-winning researcher and author of “Dutch Clark: The Life of an NFL Legend and the Birth of the Detroit Lions,” “Old Leather: An Oral History of Early Pro Football in Ohio, 1920–1935,” and “The Man Who Built the National Football League: Joe F. Carr”; recipient of the PFRA’s Ralph E. Hay Award for lifetime achievement
Dave Birkett, Detroit Lions beat writer, Detroit Free Press; four-time Michigan Sportswriter of the Year; voting member, Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee; author of “Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline”
George Bozeka, President, Professional Football Researchers Association; lead editor of the PFRA’s Great Teams in Pro Football History book series; co-host of The Official PFRA Podcast
Drew Feight, Ph.D., Professor of History, Director, Center for Public History at Shawnee State University, and director of the Scioto Historical Project (moderator)
Sports Memorabilia Expo
Saturday, December 5 | 10 am–2 pm
West Ballroom, Morris University Center
The day begins with the Portsmouth Sports Memorabilia Expo, featuring photographs, programs, uniforms, equipment, and other artifacts from local collectors and organizations. Highlights include the Portsmouth Spartans, the city’s minor league baseball teams, and the football traditions of Portsmouth High School and Notre Dame High School.
Labold Park Historical Walking Tour
Saturday, December 5 | Tours on the hour, 2 pm and 3 pm
Labold Park
Walk Where American History Was Made
The day continues with the new Scioto Historical Project walking tour of Labold Park,
with exclusive access to locations within Spartan-Municipal Stadium and Branch Rickey
Ballpark. A limited run of 50 tickets, each including exclusive commemorative swag.
Tours are free but require registration.
Limited to 50 tickets, exclusive swag included.
Ohio’s Game Changers is funded in part by the America 250-Ohio Commission.
Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this event do not
necessarily represent those of the America 250-Ohio Commission.