John Updike wrote about his visit to the football factory
ONU Professor Emeritus of English Claude “Bud” Smith had an article, “Touching Genius: John Updike's Odd Obsession,” published in the anthology John Updike Remembered, edited by Jack A. DeBellis (McFarland, 2017).
The piece details Updike’s visit to ONU and the short story he later wrote called “The Football Factory,” inspired by a tour of the Wilson Sporting Goods football factory.
Prof. Smith makes a cameo appearance in that story, which was included in Updike’s book "Love Factories."
John Updike died in 2009. He was one of several noted authors that Prof. Smith knew and invited to ONU/Ada.
Stories Posted This Week
Monday, July 7, 2025
- Special Board of Education executive session, July 8
- Funeral arrangements for Vera Marie Sprague
- Hardin County specialty crop walk on July 9
- Private family services will be held for Mary Lou Reffitt
- Varsity Singers Community performance July 10
- Ada Board of Education approves waiver of school fees for 2025-2026
- July 12 Ice Cream Open House at Grace Gospel Church