The Matta Armada Autographed by Coach Matta

Ohio State men's basketball coach, Thad Matta, stopped by the department on Tuesday afternoon, April 12th, to autograph this year's concrete canoe, aptly named the Matta Armada. The concrete canoe was entered into the Ohio Valley Regional Student Conference that was held on April 14-16 in Akron, Ohio, which was hosted by the student chapter of ASCE at the University of Akron.

Coach Matta asked the student team several questions about how could a concrete canoe float and was amazed at all the work and effort that goes into making a top quality concrete canoe. A cutaway section displayed the five layers that make up the construction of the canoe. When asked about the reinforcement layer for the canoe, one student quipped that chewing gum was used to hold the canoe together. The Coach got a big laugh about this comment and relayed a personal story of receiving a huge box of Wrigley's gum after the incident involving him picking up his chewed gum from the basketball floor during a hectic moment in a basketball game.

Coach Matta signed the canoe "Go Fast, Go Bucks, Thad Matta." Matta wished the team well and was humbled and proud that a concrete canoe was named in his honor.

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