Newcomerstown, Ohio - Buckeyes fans from around the country gathered recently at Lee Stadium in Newcomerstown to witness the dedication of a life-size statue of former longtime Ohio State head football coach and hometown legend Woody Hayes.

The $40,000 bronze statue comes as a result of an online fundraising campaign spearheaded by the Eleven Warriors blogging community.

During the ceremony, BJ McFadden of the Newcomerstown Historical Society shared the story of how a visit by Eleven Warriors founders Chris Lauderbach and Jason Priestas to the Temperance Tavern Museum led to a nationwide campaign to bring Woody home to Newcomerstown.

Both men were on hand for the dedication ceremony along with the statue's sculptor, Allan Cottrill of Zanesville, Woody's son Steven Hayes and two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin.

Following the ceremony, the statue was transported to its permanent home at the Temperance Tavern Museum.

Stacey Carmany, Tusco TV