What do Jim Tressel, Thad Matta and John Bluem have in common?

All three led their respective Ohio State University athletic teams to NCAA championship games in 2007.

However, unfortunately, all three lost.

But, I was always told that there is no disgrace in losing in the championship game.

While all Scarlet-and-Gray backers know the names Tressel and Matta, not many are probably familiar with Bluem.

Bluem led the Buckeyes’ men’s soccer team to the title tilt last December, a game OSU dropped 2-1 to Wake Forest in Cary, N.C.

Prior to the game, a reporter asked Bluem about the Buckeyes losses in the football and basketball finales, to which he replied, “We’re not playing Florida.”

Bluem was the guest speaker at Tuesday night’s Spring Banquet gathering of The Ohio State University Alumni Club of Belmont County, which was held at Belmont Hills Country Club.

“It’s a great honor and privilege to coach at The Ohio State University,” he told the group of about 40. “It’s also a great honor to come here tonight.”

The Buckeyes entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 5 seed and, after a first-round bye, defeated Louisville in the second round, 1-0. A win over defending national titlist University of California at Santa Barbara in the Sweet 16 advanced them further than any OSU men’s soccer team had ventured before.

In the Elite 8, the hosts made quick work of Bradley, 4-0, at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus to move on to the College Cup — soccer’s version of basketball’s Final Four and hockey’s Frozen Four.

There, they outlasted the University of Massachusetts, 1-0, on Eric Edwards’ game-winning goal. “That was one (the goal) that I’ll remember because it ended up being the No. 4 Play of the Day on ESPN (Top 10 list),” Bluem recalled.

“Not the goal, but the celebration,” he quickly added. “Soccer players plan their goal celebrations because there isn’t much scoring in soccer. So, after he scored, he remembered what his celebration was and he ran over to where Ohio State was painted on the field, and he dotted the ‘I’.”

On their way to the championship finale, the Buckeyes were unbeaten in 15 straight (13 wins, 2 ties) before losing to the Deacon Demons. Eleven team marks were established while 17 individual marks went by the wayside.

“We had the best season in school history,” Bluem added. “We had a phenomenal year.”

In addition to Bluem, Andy Gurd, Director of Membership and Marketing for The Ohio State University Alumni Association spoke briefly.

He told the Belmont County group that it is one of 225 around the world, along with over 60 societies. He also said the OSU living alumni recently surpassed the 500,000 mark and that the school ranks No. 2 in alumni groups behind Penn State.

“You guys do an outstanding job for us,” Gurd said. “We appreciate it.”

The club also awarded a scholarship to Union Local senior Megan Infante.

“Thank you for providing this scholarship,” she allowed.

KORNER STONES:

? Bluem opened his talk by telling how his was lost in western Ohio on a recruiting trip. He said he was in Engagement, Ohio, and when someone asked where that was, he answered, “halfway between Dayton (Datin’) and Marion (Marryin’).”

? It was reported that Belmont County has 70 students at The Ohio State University. A Back-to-School picnic for those students has been planned for Aug. 9 at a site to be determined.

? It was also reported that OSU raised nearly $70,000 during the BCS week to be given to school districts that were affected by Hurricane Katrina.

? While talking with Bluem prior to the event, he noted that he has Ohio Valley roots as he was born in Wheeling while his father was employed at Bethany College.

North can be reached at knorth@timesleaderonline.com