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By Paula Pyzik Scott

A tour of Ada’s Wilson Football (and basketball) factory, 517 E. Highland, with Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel hits just a little differently than other tours. On a day filled with stops around the state including meetings with OSU-Lima, UNOH, Rhodes State College and Ohio Northern University, he also toured the new manufacturing facility that was opened in June 2024.

To begin with, Tressel has strong family ties to Ada. His parents grew up in Ada and are buried in Ada. Last summer, Tressel served as parade grand marshal for the 105th NOVFA (firefighters) convention in Ada. The Lieutenant Governor also brought his football expertise to the tour. He coached at Youngstown State and The Ohio State University football team, amassing an 229-79-2 record.

Wilson plant manager Kasey Patton led Tressel through the spacious, busy facility with Amy Conway, Greg McCann and Mike Springer. The group followed the established route followed by public tours including the signing of a cow hide. But what followed had a broader than usual focus. For example, Tressel took the opportunity to ask about employee wages, the logistics of material supplies, and contracts with colleges, the NFL and NBA. 

Tressel learned that while Wilson footballs are entirely constructed in Ada, the company currently processes leather for NBA basketballs in Chicago, which is sent to China for manufacturing, and then the balls are branded, embellished, finished, broken in and tested in Ada.

The tour showcased the extent of customization and specialization provided by Wilson. Staff pointed out that special kicking balls are provided to the NFL. Employees who were inspecting leather hides were preparing them for NFL Mexico. Glass display cases showed a dazzling selection of specialty footballs and basketballs. A $2,500 Wilson Airless basketball (sold out) which is 3D printed was also on display.

In the quiet of the Wilson factory lobby, surrounded by its football museum and shop, Tressel asked, “What happened to the Ada Herald?” which had recently announced its last issue, having operated under that name since 1917. Tressel’s aunt once wrote for the newspaper.

He explained that you “can’t be in Ada and not go to the Wilson Football Factory. This is one of our proudest spots in Ohio.” He noted that the new factory was “great for the workers, great for the community…. So often when we tell people where we’re from, they say, ‘Oh, that’s where they make footballs. We’re proud of that.”

After watching the plant in operation, he noted, “Workforce is so important, that’s how we build communities. That’s how it’s vibrant, generation after generation.” Regarding his football background, he said he was “proud to see the Wilson Duke football out there (in the NFL) and to think it’s made right here, in our state, in my parents’ hometown.”