ADA, Ohio (WLIO) - Jim Tressel knows football, and he knows Ada. The former Ohio State coach, now Ohio's Lieutenant Governor, returned to his parents' hometown Tuesday to visit the Wilson Football Factory.
"You can't be in Ada, Ohio and not go to the Wilson factory," said Tressel. "This is one of our proudest spots in the entire state of Ohio. It just so happens my mom and dad both grew up in Ada. My mom and dad are both buried right here, I have a brother buried right here, my grandparents, so this is home."
Tressel toured Wilson's upgraded facility, which opened last summer - a major step forward from the company's previous space. He says the investment shows the value of a small-town workforce.
"Just to see the transition from the old factory to this, it's great for the workers, great for the community to have the museum here," said Tressel. "So often when we talk to someone and tell them where we're from, they say, 'oh, that's where they make the footballs', and we're proud of that. Workforce is so important, and that's how we build communities. That's how we have vibrant generation after generation. We're so proud of the workforce that's here."
Plant manager Kasey Patton says having someone like Jim Tressel walk through the doors carries weight.
"Lieutenant Governor Tressel being here, he's Ada royalty," said Patton. "His background in football and coming into the football factory is great. It means a lot to the people on the floor, and we love having him in here."
With the NFL preseason starting this week, Wilson is ramping up production as they get ready to go into full swing.
"The balls shift from high school and college to focus on the NFL; we're working through our NFL allotment right now, looking to get that finished up before some of the preseason games, and get on to their practice balls," said Patton.
As this NFL season kicks off, Wilson is standing ready and proud to deliver every ball.
