Let's raise a glass to "Fat Glenn"

If you went to Cleveland State in the '70s or '80s, you undoubtedly remember Fat Glenn's, the iconic campus hangout. But the story behind its namesake is even better than the place itself.

Glenn Esch (BA '66) was the kind of character you'd write a movie about - part prankster, part guardian angel, and 100% Cleveland original.

Here's what made him legendary:

1. That Name Wasn't Random
   It's the '70s, Glenn's chaperoning some students in Philly, and they're having such a blast that they suggest the school name a campus hangout after him. When the time came, Fat Glenn's was born. His niece Karin Ostroke, a CSU alumna herself, laughs about it now: "He wasn't even really fat - just proud of that beer belly of his."
   
   
2. History Buff Through and Through
   Glenn didn't just get a history degree from CSU in '66 - he lived and breathed stories. Whether he was diving into politics, tracing family roots, or spinning tales at family gatherings, the man knew how to keep people hooked.
   
   
3. The Ultimate Cool Uncle
   Pizza for dinner? TV trays? Halloween trick-or-treating with a beer in hand? Glenn was that uncle. As Karin puts it, "He filled in all the gaps. Everyone needs an Uncle Glenn."
   
   
4. Budweiser or Nothing
   The man was loyal to his brew. "Never saw him drink anything else," Karin remembers. He even dubbed it CSU's unofficial beer of choice.
   
   
5. Campus Legend
   Glenn wasn't just hanging around campus - he was assistant to the dean of student life, keeping Student Council in check, all while being a beloved campus fixture.
   
   
6. Public Servant
   Glenn spent many years working in the Cuyahoga County Clerk’s office under Gerald Fuerst.
   
   
7. The Car Whisperer
   Kids loved his favorite driving trick. He'd yell "Stop machine!" and like magic (so it seemed), the car would halt. Pure Uncle Glenn showmanship.
   
   
8. Family Detective
   Before ancestry websites were a thing, Glenn was out there tracking down Esch family history back to the 1600s. Old newspapers, road trips to meet relatives - the works.
   
   
9. The Party Trick Champion
   Picture this: cross-legged on the floor, beer in one hand, cigarette in the other, standing up smooth as silk without using his hands or spilling a drop. Classic Glenn.
   
   
10. The Bachelor Who Left a Legacy
    No wife, no kids, but Glenn left his mark. From CSU's golden age to family stories that'll live forever, he was one of those rare people who just made life better.

Have a story about Glenn or Fat Glenn’s? We want to hear it.
📩 alumni@csuohio.edu