Paul Brown Birthplace Committee raises $170,000 for statue and park
Mar. 23—NORWALK — A local group raising money to pay for a statue of legendary football coach Paul Brown has collected $170,945 for the bronze sculpture and to create a West Main Street space for its installation.
Fundraising efforts by the Paul Brown Birthplace Committee concluded on Feb. 28.
Donations rolled in from 168 individuals, families and businesses for corporate sponsorships, granite squares, brick pavers and coffee mugs to support the new uptown space that will honor both Brown and Norwalk as his birthplace.
"I'm pleasantly surprised by how quickly it all happened," Mayor Dave Light said. "I really didn't think it would go this fast, and a big thank-you to everyone who participated. It's just great."
The committee began its efforts in earnest last September with a goal of $100,000 to commission the statue and pay for other elements, including a granite wall that will resemble a football stadium and park benches.
The site for these and an Ohio Historical Marker is set for the front of Suhr Park across from the library.
Major sponsors who donated $1,000, $2,500 or $5,000 will have their business or name engraved on the front of the stadium wall. Of those 23 benefactors, three wish to remain anonymous for their combined total of $105,000.
Dozens of donors bought a brick paver in either of two sizes, a granite square, or a commemorative mug — with some purchasing all three. Several contributors from well beyond the Norwalk area said they participated after hearing or reading about the Paul Brown statue project in the news.
"That 145 people — in addition to the 23 major benefactors — chose to support our vision to commemorate Paul Brown as a citizen of Norwalk is really heart-warming," said Kathy Root, committee chairman. "We're so grateful to every single donor for their generosity."
In December, the committee sent a $25,000 payment to the Pennsylvania company crafting Brown's statue. Photos of the clay model show how the life-size sculpture is shaping up, Root noted.
The design has been approved by Mike Brown, owner and general manager of the Cincinnati Bengals. He is the only surviving son of Eugene and Ida Belle Brown, who lived on West Elm Street when Paul was born on September 7, 1908.
"Those photos of the work in progress are exciting to see," she added. "We think everyone will be impressed by the final result."
The likeness of Brown is based on an artist's rendering created by city business owners Kevin Hipp of Franklin Monument and Trevor Rood of Foghorn Designs.
The granite wall behind Brown's statue will list the coach's notable accomplishments and innovations to the game of football in America.
The back side of the wall, facing Suhr Park itself, will be etched to look like the façade of a football stadium.
The Ohio Historical Marker, titled "Paul E. Brown, Football Trailblazer and Innovator," will display text on both sides of the standard bronze marker.
First coach of the namesake Cleveland NFL team and a co-founder and first coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, Brown began his Ohio coaching career at Massillon before moving on to Ohio State, where, in 1942, he led the Buckeyes to the first of their eight national championships.
He retired from coaching in 1975 but remained as president of the Bengals organization until his death in 1991.
Brown was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967. His all-time coaching record in the NFL stands at 167-53-8 over 17 seasons, with eight league championships.
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MAJOR BENEFACTORS
Norweco, Inc.
Fisher-Titus Medical Center
Norwalk Concrete Industries
John & Jennifer Evans
Insurance Services of Norwalk
Norwalk Lions Club
Mike & Skip Wilde Families
Frank Van Dresser Family
Civista Bank
Bill's Irrigation
Norwalk NAPA Auto Care Group
Jack & Ruth Weisenberger
Dave & Amy Weisenberger
Norwalk Eagles
Wisteria Enterprise LLC
Mersereau Family
August Corso Sons, Inc.
First National Bank
Firelands Federal Credit Union
Tom & Kathy Root
Jim & Pat Westerhold
SPONSORS
Battles Insurance
Steve & Sharon Linder
Marc & Heidi Hovestaedt
Ken & Debra Moyer
Eagle Lake LLC
Norma Schaechterle
American Legion Post 41
Barry & Kim Zadeh
Lake Erie Construction Co.
Jerry & Annei Smith
Deborah Lucal
James & Sandra Blum
Jay & Paulette Ewell
Wes & Kristin Miller
Antonio Jason Zendejas
Dave & Kim Light
Paul Schlotterer
Norwalk Kiwanis
Eric & Cheryl Lieber
Kari Breitbach
Frank & Joyce Nedveski
Tucker Escrow & Title Services
Nancy Cloak
Firelands VFW Post 2743
Michael & Kim Moore
Flickinger Insurance
Joseph & Diana Weisenburger
JDB Home Improvements
Pat Stofira
Jean Beaulieu
Dan & Debbie Bowers Family
Marty Sowers
Skip & Patti Wilde
Tom & Renee Kluding
Steve Gfell Family
Kathleen Martucci
Paul Bajcer
Karen & Bud Brumby
Kathleen Schaffer
Thomas Schaffer
Marty & Holly Schaffer
Neil Casper
Steve & Ann Schumm
Dennis & Robyn Brady
Jan Tkach
Chris Higgins
Gene Hartman
Allyn & Roberta Schnellinger
Lonz Law Firm
Extol of Ohio
Dave's Food Mart
Nobil's Sports and Trophies
Kathy Molek
Cliff Cannon
Patti Jackson
Truck Sales & Service LLC
Brandon & Jen Meagrow
Paul & Linda Monnes
Chris Luce Family
Stark's Sanitation Service
Joe & Jodi Centers
Darryl & Kim More
Brenda Careless
Brian & Betsy Kniffin
Jami Brooker
Morgan Tucker
Hill's Interiors
Amanda Quinlan
Chris Spangler
Nancy Skinner
Kelly Moine
Miller Landscape & Gardens
Tom & Karen Sharpnack
Jeffrey Bengel
Judy Emmons
Dave & Marian Schild
Philip Garwood Family
New Horizons Baking Company
PNC Bank
Vacationland Federal Credit Union
Jim Englert
Tim Corrigan
Don & Marjean Hohler
Sam & Rachel Heydinger
Joe & Barb Widman
Norwalk Rotary Club
Green Circle Growers
Bill & Sue Schnellinger
Russell & Kathi Flew
Gary Wolf
Bob & Maribeth Simon
Schild's IGA
Gregory Silcox
Mike & Caroline Bick
John E. Schumm
Matt & Lisa Herner
Janet Herner
Ken Brown
Dave Bute
Alice Pleasnick
James Wise
Bo Lacey Construction
Julie Roberts, DDS
Daniel Stewart, DDS
Don & Laurie Weltlin
Don & Susie Nardecchia
Maple City Ice Company
Howard & Wendy Wilde
Tom & Cathy Blechschmidt
Chandos Gose
Jeff Colvin
Matt Wadsworth
Carol Sheldon
Croghan Colonial Bank
Todd Lillo
Michele & Homer Burger
Jeff Bertram
Firelands Historical Society
Lydy Family
Adam & Sara Bodell
Chris & Terri Barman
Mick Chaffee
Eagle Point Express LLC
Melissa Jackson Kuhlman
Norwalk City Schools
John & Cynthia Kromer
Sheila Knallay
St. Paul Football
Norwalk Athletic Boosters
Norwalk Truckers Football
Western Reserve Football
Steve Chappelear Family
Andy Ouriel
Dave & Debi Fries
Norman Ott
Leon & Janice Camp
Dominick Holden
Russ & Darlene Deeble
Tusing Builders
Roger & Margaret Dixon
Mary Ann Bauer
Patty Arlin-Smith
Michael Rehark
Tricia Selka
Mark & Megan Hazelwood
Kevin King & Lisa Hivnor
