Visit Westerville

Albert Exendine Mural

Taskmaster

By Artist Zach Cardoza with digital production support from Brooke Cardoza

Mural Location: Cowan Hall at Otterbein University | 30 S. Grove Street                                                                                                                           Located on the South wall of Cowan Hall off W. Park St.

Hall of Famer Albert Exendine was known for "sheer brilliance" and letting his actions speak for themselves as a coach. Hired by Otterbein University in 1909, he transformed the Cardinals into a state powerhouse, proving that success relied on finesse and innovation rather than brute strength. To honor his "brains over brawn" philosophy, I chose to depict Exendine in formal attire, set against a backdrop of the sport he revolutionized.

This composition reaches back to an era before the saturation of modern media, when football served as the primary source of community excitement and raw entertainment. By presenting him with such dignity, the image celebrates Exendine’s legacy not merely as a coach, but as a visionary strategist. It stands as a tribute to his accomplishments at Otterbein and his enduring influence on the evolution of football as a whole.

My work is rooted in a personal philosophy of "saying more with less," culminating in a style I classify as Abstract Realism. Influenced by the geometric foundations of Cubism and the refined minimalism of Tatsumi Shimura, I utilize basic shapes, hard edges, and limited color palettes to define dimension and form.

While my subjects center on portraiture and the human form, my creative process remains the primary driving force. I believe the process should inform the subject, highlighting the journey of a piece as much as the final image. I am fascinated by the subtleties in the expression or posture of a subject; capturing these nuances is what breathes life into an art piece. For me, the ultimate goal is to translate the essence of a subject through a stylized lens. Achieving that balance, capturing a subject’s presence while maintaining my own artistic voice, is the most fulfilling aspect of my practice.

Zach Cardoza is a professionally trained artist with over a decade of experience, grounded in classical fine art traditions and driven by curiosity around material and process. After studying Fine Art at Northwest College in Wyoming, he built a strong foundation in drawing, painting, sculpture, and pastels; skills that continue to shape his work today.

Now based in Columbus, Zach’s practice has evolved to incorporate both traditional and nontraditional materials, ranging from graphite and pastel to thread, yarn, and wool, allowing the medium itself to guide each piece. His work bridges classical technique with contemporary experimentation and has been featured in the Ohio Arts Council Spring Juried Selection and other publications, reflecting a thoughtful balance of structure and innovation.

Learn more about Zach at zachcardozaart.com

Albert A. Exendine was an enrolled citizen of the Delaware tribe from Oklahoma. He attended the Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania, running track and playing tight end on the football team. He coached football at Otterbein from 1909 through 1911, giving them a 17-7-3 record. He was 25.

In 1912, Exendine was called back to Pennsylvania to train Jim Thorpe, a younger classmate from Carlisle, in preparation for Thorpe’s gold-medal pentathlon and decathlon at the 1912 Olympics. Exendine continued coaching; he gave Georgetown University eight seasons without a losing record. He earned his law degree in from Dickinson College, practicing law on behalf of tribal rights in Oklahoma and eventually going to work for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Exendine earned the “Indian of the Year” award from the Council of American Indians in 1968 and was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1970.