Before they donned robes, some Supreme Court of Ohio justices first suited up as college athletes.

As part of September’s America 250 Ohio theme, “Ohio Plays: Sports & Wellness,” the Supreme Court is spotlighting four justices whose journeys to the state’s highest court began on football fields, running tracks, and baseball diamonds.

Visitors can learn about the four justices in a display this month located near the Grand Concourse of the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center.

Carl Weygandt
94th Justice
Former Chief Justice Carl Weygandt holds the title of longest-serving chief justice on the Supreme Court. He spent 30 years as chief justice and served for 38 years on Ohio courts. Leading up to his career on the bench, he attended the College of Wooster, where he enrolled in 1908 and was a fullback on the varsity football team. He also played baseball and ran track. His passion for sports extended beyond college. From 1915 to 1932, he traveled throughout the Midwest and Northeast, officiating football games from Massachusetts to Nebraska.

Ralph Locher 
133rd Justice
Former Justice Ralph Locher was elected to the Court in 1976. He served two terms and authored 97 opinions during that time. Before the bench, he enrolled at Bluffton College in 1934, where he achieved academic honors while playing on the football team. His 1935 yearbook listed him as a “big, rugged forward.” His coach was quoted as saying, “[H]e meant business all the time he played. He was a dandy fellow and a good, solid player.”

Francis Sweeney Sr. 
144th Justice
Of the Court athletes, former Justice Francis Sweeney Sr. had one of the most outstanding athletic careers. After graduating from Xavier University in 1956, where he played on the football team, he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He instead opted to follow his college coach to Canada where he played professional football for the Ottawa Rough Riders. In 1992, he was elected to the Court and served as a justice until 2004.

R. Patrick DeWine 
158th Justice
Sitting on the current bench, Justice R. Patrick DeWine was a Division I college athlete at Miami University, where he ran varsity track and cross country. After graduating, he was a competitive marathon runner, finishing second at the Toledo Marathon with a time of 2:30:53 and finishing in the top 1/10th of 1% at the 100th Boston Marathon. 

America commemorated its 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, marking a historic milestone in the nation's journey. To honor the semiquincentennial, the Court hosted a year-long celebration titled “The Story of America,” highlighting significant historical events that shaped both the nation and Ohio. In addition to digital content, the initiative has featured special events and exhibits at the Court. The celebration aims to spark curiosity, strengthen civic literacy, and recognize pivotal moments in American and Ohio history.