The Ohio State University: Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State or OSU, is a large, primarily residential, public university in Columbus, Ohio.The school was founded in 1870 as a land-grant university with the Morrill Act of 1862. The university originally was known as the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College (Mech). The college began with a focus on training students in various agricultural and mechanical disciplines but it developed into a comprehensive university under the direction of then Governor (later, President) Rutherford B. Hayes.
The university opened its doors to 24 students on September 17, 1873. In 1878, the first class of six men graduated. The first woman graduated the following year. Also in 1878, in light of its expanded focus, the Ohio legislature changed the name to "The Ohio State University", with "The" as part of its official name.
Ohio State began accepting graduate students in the 1880s, and in 1891, the school saw the founding of its law school, Moritz College of Law. It would later acquire colleges of medicine, dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine, commerce, and journalism in subsequent years.
The university has grown into the third-largest university campus in the United States. The school annually has nearly 60,000 students on its campus in Columbus. As of August 2017, the university had awarded nearly 750,000 degrees.
Michael V. Drak, former chancellor of the University of California, Irvine, became the 15th president of the university on June 30, 2014.
Ohio State's 1,764-acre main campus is about 2.5 miles north of the city's downtown. The historical center of campus is the Oval, a quad of about 11 acres. Four buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Hale Hall (originally Enarson Hall), Hayes Hall, Ohio Stadium, and Orton Hall. Unlike earlier public universities such as Ohio University and Miami University, whose campuses have a consistent architectural style, the Ohio State campus is a mix of traditional, modern and post-modern styles.
Ohio State operates the North America's 18th-largest university research library, with a combined collection of over 5.8 million volumes. Anchoring the traditional campus gateway at the eastern end of the Oval is the 1989 Wexner Center for the Arts. The center was founded to encompass all aspects of visual and performing arts with a focus on new commissions and artist residencies. The centerpiece of The Wexner Center's permanent collection is Picasso's Nude on a Black armchair.
The Ohio State College of Medicine is on the southern edge of the central campus. It is home to the James Cancer Hospital, a cancer research institute and one of the National Cancer Institute's 41 comprehensive cancer centers, along with the Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital, a research institute for cardiovascular disease.
Ohio State athletic teams compete in Division 1 (Football Bowl Subdivision for football) and are known as The Ohio State University Buckeyes. The university is a member of the Big Ten Conference for the majority of sports. The Ohio State men's ice hockey program competes in the Big 10 Conference, while its women's hockey program competes in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Ohio State is one of only 14 universities that plays Division I FBS football and Division I ice hockey. The men's volleyball team is a member of the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA).
The university opened its doors to 24 students on September 17, 1873. In 1878, the first class of six men graduated. The first woman graduated the following year. Also in 1878, in light of its expanded focus, the Ohio legislature changed the name to "The Ohio State University", with "The" as part of its official name.
Ohio State began accepting graduate students in the 1880s, and in 1891, the school saw the founding of its law school, Moritz College of Law. It would later acquire colleges of medicine, dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine, commerce, and journalism in subsequent years.
The university has grown into the third-largest university campus in the United States. The school annually has nearly 60,000 students on its campus in Columbus. As of August 2017, the university had awarded nearly 750,000 degrees.
Michael V. Drak, former chancellor of the University of California, Irvine, became the 15th president of the university on June 30, 2014.
Ohio State's 1,764-acre main campus is about 2.5 miles north of the city's downtown. The historical center of campus is the Oval, a quad of about 11 acres. Four buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Hale Hall (originally Enarson Hall), Hayes Hall, Ohio Stadium, and Orton Hall. Unlike earlier public universities such as Ohio University and Miami University, whose campuses have a consistent architectural style, the Ohio State campus is a mix of traditional, modern and post-modern styles.
Ohio State operates the North America's 18th-largest university research library, with a combined collection of over 5.8 million volumes. Anchoring the traditional campus gateway at the eastern end of the Oval is the 1989 Wexner Center for the Arts. The center was founded to encompass all aspects of visual and performing arts with a focus on new commissions and artist residencies. The centerpiece of The Wexner Center's permanent collection is Picasso's Nude on a Black armchair.
The Ohio State College of Medicine is on the southern edge of the central campus. It is home to the James Cancer Hospital, a cancer research institute and one of the National Cancer Institute's 41 comprehensive cancer centers, along with the Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital, a research institute for cardiovascular disease.
Ohio State athletic teams compete in Division 1 (Football Bowl Subdivision for football) and are known as The Ohio State University Buckeyes. The university is a member of the Big Ten Conference for the majority of sports. The Ohio State men's ice hockey program competes in the Big 10 Conference, while its women's hockey program competes in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Ohio State is one of only 14 universities that plays Division I FBS football and Division I ice hockey. The men's volleyball team is a member of the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA).
 |
| Jesse Owens |
Notable Ohio State Alumni: Ohio State has over 475,000 living alumni around the world. Ohio State alumni include Nobel Prize recipients, Pulitzer Prize recipients, Olympic Games gold medalists, and Medal of Honor recipients, ambassadors, as well as Fortune 500 CEOs and members of the Forbes 400 list of the world's wealthiest individuals. OSU graduates have gone on to become U.S. governors, senators and members of Congress. Ohio State alumni have appeared on the cover of Time 12 times, with the artwork of alumnus Roy Lichtenstein featured on an additional two Time covers. George Steinbrenner, deceased former owner of the New York Yankees, earned his master's degree from Ohio State. Larry Sanger, one of the founders of Wikipedia, and Steve May, chief technology officer at Pixar, graduated from Ohio State. Roboticist James S. Albus was named a "Hero of US Manufacturing" by Fortune in 1977. Ohio State alumni are enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, the NFL Hall of Game and the Basketball Hall of Fame. Its athletes have won a combined 83 Olympic medals and three times received the Sullivan Award as the nation's top amateur athlete. Jack Nicklaus has been called "the greatest golfer in history," while Jesse Owens has been called "the greatest Olympian in history." Twice, Ohio State alumni have appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated as its Sportsman of the Year.
Ohio State Traditions: Here are some traditions observed by Ohio State athletes, band members, students and alumni:
Athletic Colors: Scarlet and gray
Ohio State Traditions: Here are some traditions observed by Ohio State athletes, band members, students and alumni:
Athletic Colors: Scarlet and gray
Nickname: The Ohio State athletic nickname is Buckeyes. What is a Buckeye? The Buckeye is a tree that is native to Ohio. The toxic nut from the tree looks like the eye of a deer (“buck eye”). The five-fingered leaf of the tree is another OSU symbol and is featured on performance stickers that grace the helmets of Ohio State football players.
Mascot: The Ohio State mascot is Brutus Buckeye. Beginning in 1965, Brutus Buckeye has appeared at all Ohio State football games as the live mascot of the Buckeyes. In 2007, he was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame as one of the most recognized mascots in the United States.
The Ohio State Alma Mater: Carmen Ohio
Listen: here
Oh! Come let's sing Ohio's praise,
And songs to Alma Mater raise;
While our hearts rebounding thrill,
With joy which death alone can still.
Summer's heat or Winter's cold.
The seasons pass, the years will roll;
Time and change will surely show
How firm thy friendship O-hi-o.
Ohio State Fight Songs
Across the Field:
Listen: here
Fight the team across the field
Show them Ohio's here
(We've got the team why don't we)
Set the Earth reverberating
With a mighty cheer
RAH! RAH! RAH!
Hit them hard and see how they fall
Never let that team get the ball
Hail! Hail! The gang's all here
So let's win that old conference now!
(So let's beat that Michigan now!)
(Oh, Ohio! Oh, Ohio! Wahoo! Wahoo for Ohio!)
[Repeat all lines, except the last line]
Buckeye Battle Cry:
Listen: here
In old Ohio there's a team
that's known thru-out the land;
Eleven warriors, brave and bold,
whose fame will ever stand.
And when the ball goes over,
our cheers will reach the sky,
Ohio field will hear again
The Buckeye Battle Cry.
Drive! Drive on down the field,
Men of the scarlet and gray;
Don't let them thru that line,
We have to win this game today,
Come on, Ohio!
Smash through to victory.
We cheer you as you go:
Our honor defend
We will fight to the end for O-hi-o.
And songs to Alma Mater raise;
While our hearts rebounding thrill,
With joy which death alone can still.
Summer's heat or Winter's cold.
The seasons pass, the years will roll;
Time and change will surely show
How firm thy friendship O-hi-o.
Ohio State Fight Songs
Across the Field:
Listen: here
Fight the team across the field
Show them Ohio's here
(We've got the team why don't we)
Set the Earth reverberating
With a mighty cheer
RAH! RAH! RAH!
Hit them hard and see how they fall
Never let that team get the ball
Hail! Hail! The gang's all here
So let's win that old conference now!
(So let's beat that Michigan now!)
(Oh, Ohio! Oh, Ohio! Wahoo! Wahoo for Ohio!)
[Repeat all lines, except the last line]
Buckeye Battle Cry:
Listen: here
In old Ohio there's a team
that's known thru-out the land;
Eleven warriors, brave and bold,
whose fame will ever stand.
And when the ball goes over,
our cheers will reach the sky,
Ohio field will hear again
The Buckeye Battle Cry.
Drive! Drive on down the field,
Men of the scarlet and gray;
Don't let them thru that line,
We have to win this game today,
Come on, Ohio!
Smash through to victory.
We cheer you as you go:
Our honor defend
We will fight to the end for O-hi-o.
The Ohio State Marching Band: Founded in 1878, The Ohio State University marching band is a longstanding tradition at Ohio State. It is the largest and one of the few collegiate all-brass and percussion band in the world. It has 228 members (192 pregame marchers, 195 marches and 36 alternate members).
The band is famous for "Script Ohio", during which the band marches single-file through the curves of the word "Ohio", much like a pen writes the word, all while playing the French march "Le Regiment de Sambre et Meuse." At the end of the performance, a high-stepping senior sousaphone player "dots" the "i" in Ohio.
"Across the Field", Ohio State's fight song, and "Buckeye Battle Cry" are commonly played and sung at athletic events, as well as commencement and convocation exercises.
Military training was an important part of the early curriculum at Ohio State, and a band was formed to provide music to the cadets for drills. Organized in 1878, the Marching Band was first organized as a fife and drum corps and was sponsored by the Military Department. In 1881, a stolen mouthpiece incident, which prevented the Marching Band from performing, led the Military Department to end support.
The band was a student-led organization until 1896. During World War II, Ohio State was one of the few colleges able to field a marching band for every home game. The band was able to field 100 to 120 musicians throughout the war. Because the band was still under ROTC control, women were not allowed to perform. The band was open to alumni members of the band, woodwind players, vocalists, high school students, even strangers on the street who expressed interest. The morale with which this highly volunteer band helped to cheer on Ohio State football was during a time when spirits on the home front were at a low. By the early 1950s, the Department of Defense issued much more stringent rules about what courses and activities constitute eligible curriculum for the ROTC program. The Marching Band was no longer an eligible activity, and in 1952, the Marching Band officially ended ties with the ROTC department. Cadets in the band could continue to try out and participate in band, but they would no longer receive ROTC credit. Women were admitted into the band starting in 1973, after the passage of the 1972 Title IX legislation.
First played at the Illinois game of October 9, 1965, the rock song Hang on Sloopy is played by the marching band before the start of the fourth quarter, with fans performing an O-H-I-O chant in the intervals between the refrains. The song is also played to encourage the team's defensive players when opponents are moving the ball on offense late in a game. The 116th Ohio General Assembly designated "Hang On Sloopy" as the State rock song by House Concurrent Resolution 16 on November 20, 1985. It is also played before the fourth quarter at Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals games, and during Cleveland Indians, Cincinati Reds, Cleveland Cavaliers and Columbus Blue Jackets games.
Listen to Hang on Sloopy: here
Many marching band innovations were first tried and developed at Ohio State. Among them are: floating and animated formations, measured step marching, script writing, and the fast cadence with a high knee lift. Brass instruments especially designed for marching bands were also first used at Ohio State. In 1934, the band became one of the first collegiate bands to adopt an all brass-and-percussion instrumentation.
The band is famous for "Script Ohio", during which the band marches single-file through the curves of the word "Ohio", much like a pen writes the word, all while playing the French march "Le Regiment de Sambre et Meuse." At the end of the performance, a high-stepping senior sousaphone player "dots" the "i" in Ohio.
"Across the Field", Ohio State's fight song, and "Buckeye Battle Cry" are commonly played and sung at athletic events, as well as commencement and convocation exercises.
Military training was an important part of the early curriculum at Ohio State, and a band was formed to provide music to the cadets for drills. Organized in 1878, the Marching Band was first organized as a fife and drum corps and was sponsored by the Military Department. In 1881, a stolen mouthpiece incident, which prevented the Marching Band from performing, led the Military Department to end support.
The band was a student-led organization until 1896. During World War II, Ohio State was one of the few colleges able to field a marching band for every home game. The band was able to field 100 to 120 musicians throughout the war. Because the band was still under ROTC control, women were not allowed to perform. The band was open to alumni members of the band, woodwind players, vocalists, high school students, even strangers on the street who expressed interest. The morale with which this highly volunteer band helped to cheer on Ohio State football was during a time when spirits on the home front were at a low. By the early 1950s, the Department of Defense issued much more stringent rules about what courses and activities constitute eligible curriculum for the ROTC program. The Marching Band was no longer an eligible activity, and in 1952, the Marching Band officially ended ties with the ROTC department. Cadets in the band could continue to try out and participate in band, but they would no longer receive ROTC credit. Women were admitted into the band starting in 1973, after the passage of the 1972 Title IX legislation.
First played at the Illinois game of October 9, 1965, the rock song Hang on Sloopy is played by the marching band before the start of the fourth quarter, with fans performing an O-H-I-O chant in the intervals between the refrains. The song is also played to encourage the team's defensive players when opponents are moving the ball on offense late in a game. The 116th Ohio General Assembly designated "Hang On Sloopy" as the State rock song by House Concurrent Resolution 16 on November 20, 1985. It is also played before the fourth quarter at Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals games, and during Cleveland Indians, Cincinati Reds, Cleveland Cavaliers and Columbus Blue Jackets games.
Listen to Hang on Sloopy: here
Many marching band innovations were first tried and developed at Ohio State. Among them are: floating and animated formations, measured step marching, script writing, and the fast cadence with a high knee lift. Brass instruments especially designed for marching bands were also first used at Ohio State. In 1934, the band became one of the first collegiate bands to adopt an all brass-and-percussion instrumentation.
Script Ohio: The signature formation of The Ohio State University Marching Band, Script Ohio is performed before home games. Script Ohio was first performed by The Ohio State Marching Band on October 24, 1936, at the Ohio State versus Indiana football game. Unlike a typical follow-the-leader drill, the Script Ohio is a very specifically measured and charted maneuver. Each band member is required to memorize the counts for each portion of the formation. Squad Leaders, as part of their tryout drills, are required to march a Script Ohio, individually, from their spot in the block to their final charted position to ensure they are counting and not just following the person in front of them. This is also required in the event that the drum major is incapacitated for some reason (injury, sudden illness).
Today, toward the end of the formation, drum major and the "i"-dotter high-five each other. Then with 16 measures to go in the song, they strut to the top of the "i". When they arrive, the drum major points to the spot, and the "i"-dotter turns and bows deeply to both sides of the stadium.
Each time the formation drill is performed, a different fourth- or fifth-year sousaphone player is chosen to stand as the dot in the "i" of "Ohio." The first recorded instance of a sousaphone player dotting the i was the final game of the 1936 season on November 21 at home versus Michigan. In the fall of 1937, Glen Johnson became the second sousaphone player to dot the "i". Since then, a sousaphone player has dotted the "i" over 800 times.
Today, toward the end of the formation, drum major and the "i"-dotter high-five each other. Then with 16 measures to go in the song, they strut to the top of the "i". When they arrive, the drum major points to the spot, and the "i"-dotter turns and bows deeply to both sides of the stadium.
Each time the formation drill is performed, a different fourth- or fifth-year sousaphone player is chosen to stand as the dot in the "i" of "Ohio." The first recorded instance of a sousaphone player dotting the i was the final game of the 1936 season on November 21 at home versus Michigan. In the fall of 1937, Glen Johnson became the second sousaphone player to dot the "i". Since then, a sousaphone player has dotted the "i" over 800 times.
 |
| Jack Nicklaus |
Woody Hayes, Bob Hope, Jack Nicklaus, James "Buster" Douglas, OSU Presidents Novice Fawcett, Gordon Gee and their wives, John Glenn and his wife, Annie Glenn, and former football coach Earle Bruce are the select few non-band members who have had the honor of dotting the "i". This is considered the greatest honor the band can bestow to any non-band member and is a very special (and rare) event. The fourth- or fifth-year sousaphone player selected to dot the "i" for that specific game must give up their spot in order for an honorary member to dot the "i".
Skull Session: The first Skull Session held by the marching band at St. John Arena was in 1957. Prior to this, Skull Session was nothing more than a final run through of the music on the morning of the game. Originally, these were closed rehearsals that the band eventually opened up to friends and family members. Each week, more and more people showed up to hear the band rehearse that the director, Jack Evans, decided to move the rehearsal to St. John Arena across the street. Today, upwards of 14,000 people pack St. John Arena every home game to see the band and football team. Many of these people do not even have tickets to the game, but yet travel hours just for a chance to see and hear the band.
Ramp entrance: The ramp entrance is known as one of the most highly regarded traditions among band members, as well as extremely physically demanding. The ramp entrance starts typically around 19:45 on the countdown clock. There is a trailer video shown on the scoreboard prior to the band emerging from the ramp tunnel. At the end of this video, a Diamond Ohio appears on the screen. This is the cue for the percussion section to start down the ramp.
The percussion section is the first to march down the ramp, and onto the field; not to cadences, rather cheers at a precise tempo of 180 beats per minute (bpm). The snare drums perform a unique arm swing as everyone clearly chants O-H-I-O, OHIO over and over. A series of elaborately timed flanking maneuvers called the power "V" leads JI Row into their file in the block.
The "Ramp" cadence is then played exactly 17 times in a row, also at 180 bpm, as the other rows in the band file down the ramp, onto the field, and into their positions. Once a row is placed, the members mark time until all rows are into position.
As the final two rows, T and X file in, their squad leaders nod to the two Sousaphone row's (KL Row) squad leaders, who then sound a loud blast on their whistles. The entire band responds to this call with a deafening yell of "Whistle!". After the last Ramp cadence is played, a roll-off is played, while the entire band (except JI Row) performs a conversion step maneuver, and a horns-up.
The band proceeds to play the intro of "Buckeye Battle Cry" while marking time. This is followed by the verse, while the band goes into what is referred to as a "half-time step" (mark time); one step per every two beats. During the verse, a member's leg lift (completion of a full chair step) is crucial to a clean and precision view from the crowd. Also, during the verse, KL Row performs a special horn flash in which they tilt their bells slightly back, and swing their entire upper body, including their horn, to the tempo of their step. The KL row horn flash is based on the horn swing that OSUMB Sousaphones did while marching until the 1970s.
After the completion of the verse, the band proceeds to march southward down the field to two choruses of Buckeye Battle Cry. The band then executes a "halt, kick, down", followed by a "step-forward about-face". At this point, the Drum Major runs back through the band, blowing a short whistle to the lead snare drummer, who initiates a roll off to begin the rest of the pregame show, which includes playing the visiting team's fight song, Script Ohio, OSU's alma mater, Carmen Ohio, and the National Anthem, which is typically conducted by the visiting band's director, or a staff member of the OSU School of Music.
Back bend: During the introduction and verse of "Buckeye Battle Cry", the drum major enters the stadium running down the ramp, then struts through the band and comes to the front of the ranks where they execute a back bend, forming their body into the shape of an O. After a dramatic pause, the drum major’s plume touches the turf while the band starts to play two choruses of the Buckeye Battle Cry while marching toward the South Stands. The drum major reaches the end zone and tosses the baton through the goal post as the band finishes the downfield march. The opposing team's fight song is played as a salute to their university returning the band to midfield before completing the pregame performance which typically includes the highly acclaimed Script Ohio.
Senior tackle: Begun in 1913, seniors on the football team are recognized at the last practice of the season, either before the Michigan game or before departing Columbus to play in a bowl game, and hit the block sled a final time.
Illibuck Trophy: The winner of the Ohio State-Illinois game has been awarded the Illibuck Trophy since 1925. Until 1927 the teams played for a live turtle, however, since the 1928 season the trophy is a carved wooden likeness of a turtle.
Gold Pants: A gold miniature charm depicting a pair of football pants is given to all players and coaches following a victory over the Michigan Wolverines. The tradition began as the result of a comment to reporters by newly hired head coach Francis Schmidt on March 2, 1934: "How about Michigan? They put their pants on one leg at a time, the same as we do!" The first gold pants, which were a creation of Simon Lazarus (president of the Lazarus chain of department stores) and Herbert Levy, were awarded that year for a 34–0 defeat of the Wolverines. Schmidt went to Ohio State from TCU, where he was coach of the football team and where he also coached the men's basketball team.
Captain's Breakfast: 1934 saw the first gathering of former team captains for breakfast on the Sunday following the Homecoming game. The event began when local businessman Walter Jeffrey invited twenty former captains to the Scioto Country Club to honor them, and continues to welcome new captains and award them mugs bearing their names and season.
Skull Session: The first Skull Session held by the marching band at St. John Arena was in 1957. Prior to this, Skull Session was nothing more than a final run through of the music on the morning of the game. Originally, these were closed rehearsals that the band eventually opened up to friends and family members. Each week, more and more people showed up to hear the band rehearse that the director, Jack Evans, decided to move the rehearsal to St. John Arena across the street. Today, upwards of 14,000 people pack St. John Arena every home game to see the band and football team. Many of these people do not even have tickets to the game, but yet travel hours just for a chance to see and hear the band.
Ramp entrance: The ramp entrance is known as one of the most highly regarded traditions among band members, as well as extremely physically demanding. The ramp entrance starts typically around 19:45 on the countdown clock. There is a trailer video shown on the scoreboard prior to the band emerging from the ramp tunnel. At the end of this video, a Diamond Ohio appears on the screen. This is the cue for the percussion section to start down the ramp.
The percussion section is the first to march down the ramp, and onto the field; not to cadences, rather cheers at a precise tempo of 180 beats per minute (bpm). The snare drums perform a unique arm swing as everyone clearly chants O-H-I-O, OHIO over and over. A series of elaborately timed flanking maneuvers called the power "V" leads JI Row into their file in the block.
The "Ramp" cadence is then played exactly 17 times in a row, also at 180 bpm, as the other rows in the band file down the ramp, onto the field, and into their positions. Once a row is placed, the members mark time until all rows are into position.
As the final two rows, T and X file in, their squad leaders nod to the two Sousaphone row's (KL Row) squad leaders, who then sound a loud blast on their whistles. The entire band responds to this call with a deafening yell of "Whistle!". After the last Ramp cadence is played, a roll-off is played, while the entire band (except JI Row) performs a conversion step maneuver, and a horns-up.
The band proceeds to play the intro of "Buckeye Battle Cry" while marking time. This is followed by the verse, while the band goes into what is referred to as a "half-time step" (mark time); one step per every two beats. During the verse, a member's leg lift (completion of a full chair step) is crucial to a clean and precision view from the crowd. Also, during the verse, KL Row performs a special horn flash in which they tilt their bells slightly back, and swing their entire upper body, including their horn, to the tempo of their step. The KL row horn flash is based on the horn swing that OSUMB Sousaphones did while marching until the 1970s.
After the completion of the verse, the band proceeds to march southward down the field to two choruses of Buckeye Battle Cry. The band then executes a "halt, kick, down", followed by a "step-forward about-face". At this point, the Drum Major runs back through the band, blowing a short whistle to the lead snare drummer, who initiates a roll off to begin the rest of the pregame show, which includes playing the visiting team's fight song, Script Ohio, OSU's alma mater, Carmen Ohio, and the National Anthem, which is typically conducted by the visiting band's director, or a staff member of the OSU School of Music.
Back bend: During the introduction and verse of "Buckeye Battle Cry", the drum major enters the stadium running down the ramp, then struts through the band and comes to the front of the ranks where they execute a back bend, forming their body into the shape of an O. After a dramatic pause, the drum major’s plume touches the turf while the band starts to play two choruses of the Buckeye Battle Cry while marching toward the South Stands. The drum major reaches the end zone and tosses the baton through the goal post as the band finishes the downfield march. The opposing team's fight song is played as a salute to their university returning the band to midfield before completing the pregame performance which typically includes the highly acclaimed Script Ohio.
Senior tackle: Begun in 1913, seniors on the football team are recognized at the last practice of the season, either before the Michigan game or before departing Columbus to play in a bowl game, and hit the block sled a final time.
Illibuck Trophy: The winner of the Ohio State-Illinois game has been awarded the Illibuck Trophy since 1925. Until 1927 the teams played for a live turtle, however, since the 1928 season the trophy is a carved wooden likeness of a turtle.
Gold Pants: A gold miniature charm depicting a pair of football pants is given to all players and coaches following a victory over the Michigan Wolverines. The tradition began as the result of a comment to reporters by newly hired head coach Francis Schmidt on March 2, 1934: "How about Michigan? They put their pants on one leg at a time, the same as we do!" The first gold pants, which were a creation of Simon Lazarus (president of the Lazarus chain of department stores) and Herbert Levy, were awarded that year for a 34–0 defeat of the Wolverines. Schmidt went to Ohio State from TCU, where he was coach of the football team and where he also coached the men's basketball team.
Captain's Breakfast: 1934 saw the first gathering of former team captains for breakfast on the Sunday following the Homecoming game. The event began when local businessman Walter Jeffrey invited twenty former captains to the Scioto Country Club to honor them, and continues to welcome new captains and award them mugs bearing their names and season.
Buckeye Grove: Begun in 1934, each player who wins "first-team All-America" honors is recognized by the planting of a Buckeye tree and installation of a plaque in Buckeye Grove, now located near the southwestern corner of Ohio Stadium next to Morrill Tower. Trees are planted in ceremonies held prior to the Spring Game. All 126 Buckeye All-Americans dating back to 1914 have been so honored.
Michigan Week: Since 1935, the annual game against Michigan (known as "that team up north" for Ohio State fans) has been the final meeting of the regular season for both teams. The week prior to "The Game", known as Michigan Week, is characterized by scheduled school spirit and public service events, such as rallies, touch football games, blood drives and blood drives, and by massive displays of school colors and banners in much of Ohio. In an unofficial culmination to Michigan Week, since 1990 on the Thursday night before "The Game" students have participated in the "Mirror Lake jump", an unofficial gathering at Mirror Lake, a pond between Pomerene Hall and The Oval, in which masses of students jump into the water.
Block O: Since 1938, the registered student organization Block O has been the "Official Cheering Section" of the Buckeyes. They occupy Section 39A in the South grandstand f Ohio Stadium, next to the band.
Victory Bell: The Victory Bell is rung after every Ohio State victory by members of Alpha Phi Omega, a tradition that began after the Bucks beat California on October 2, 1954. Located 150 feet high in the southeast tower of Ohio Stadium, the bell was a gift of the classes of 1943, 1944 and 1945, and weighs 2,420 pounds. The bell is rung for 15 minutes following a victory and for 30 minutes following a victory over Michigan.
Michigan Week: Since 1935, the annual game against Michigan (known as "that team up north" for Ohio State fans) has been the final meeting of the regular season for both teams. The week prior to "The Game", known as Michigan Week, is characterized by scheduled school spirit and public service events, such as rallies, touch football games, blood drives and blood drives, and by massive displays of school colors and banners in much of Ohio. In an unofficial culmination to Michigan Week, since 1990 on the Thursday night before "The Game" students have participated in the "Mirror Lake jump", an unofficial gathering at Mirror Lake, a pond between Pomerene Hall and The Oval, in which masses of students jump into the water.
Block O: Since 1938, the registered student organization Block O has been the "Official Cheering Section" of the Buckeyes. They occupy Section 39A in the South grandstand f Ohio Stadium, next to the band.
Victory Bell: The Victory Bell is rung after every Ohio State victory by members of Alpha Phi Omega, a tradition that began after the Bucks beat California on October 2, 1954. Located 150 feet high in the southeast tower of Ohio Stadium, the bell was a gift of the classes of 1943, 1944 and 1945, and weighs 2,420 pounds. The bell is rung for 15 minutes following a victory and for 30 minutes following a victory over Michigan.
Buckeye Leaves: Since 1967, the helmets of Ohio State players have been adorned with white decals approximately the size of a quarter depicting a Buckeye leaf, awarded for making significant plays and for consistency of performance. In the 1970s, the decals were approximately the size of a Silver Dollar until the 1979 Season. Most believe that this practice began in 1968 when the Buckeyes switched to their present Silver Helmet design since the decals have become identified with that helmet.
Mirror Lake: Since 1990, as part of Michigan Week, OSU students typically jump into Mirror Lake – located on campus – the Thursday night before the game. The tradition is thought to bring good luck to the football team for the game. Since the 2010 season, the Thursday before "The Game" has been Thanksgiving. With most of the student body leaving campus for the holiday, the jump has since occurred on the Tuesday of Michigan Week.
Mirror Lake Tug of War: Historically, Ohio State’s freshman and sophomore classes had a tug of war competition stretching over Mirror Lake every year. Today however, students no longer partake in this tradition.
Light up the Lake: Before the holiday season starts in the fall, Ohio Staters Inc. decorates the trees of Mirror Lake with beautiful holiday lights.
Oval Beach: The Oval (known by many as “Oval beach”), the grassy field on central campus, is a place to socialize and relax when the weather is favorable.
Tunnel of Pride: The Tunnel of Pride began with the 1994 Michigan game when all former players who were in attendance formed a tunnel through which the team ran to take the field, and Ohio State beat its rival that day, 22–6. The Tunnel of Pride was next formed for the 1995 Notre Dame game, which the Buckeyes also won. In each home game against Michigan since, the tradition has been repeated.
Carmen Ohio: Instituted in 2001, at the conclusion of all home games the coaches, players and cheerleaders gather in the south end zone next to the marching band to sing the university's alma mater, Carmen Ohio, t the student section.
The Hive and Pre-Game Circle: Prior to its warmup routine before every football game, the team exits the locker room as a unit in a controlled manner, linked arm-in-arm in a group known as "The Hive". After warmups the team returns to the locker room, and when it next appears, runs onto the field and forms a circle of players around the strength coach, then they go through their warmup routine.
Mirror Lake: Since 1990, as part of Michigan Week, OSU students typically jump into Mirror Lake – located on campus – the Thursday night before the game. The tradition is thought to bring good luck to the football team for the game. Since the 2010 season, the Thursday before "The Game" has been Thanksgiving. With most of the student body leaving campus for the holiday, the jump has since occurred on the Tuesday of Michigan Week.
Mirror Lake Tug of War: Historically, Ohio State’s freshman and sophomore classes had a tug of war competition stretching over Mirror Lake every year. Today however, students no longer partake in this tradition.
Light up the Lake: Before the holiday season starts in the fall, Ohio Staters Inc. decorates the trees of Mirror Lake with beautiful holiday lights.
Oval Beach: The Oval (known by many as “Oval beach”), the grassy field on central campus, is a place to socialize and relax when the weather is favorable.
Tunnel of Pride: The Tunnel of Pride began with the 1994 Michigan game when all former players who were in attendance formed a tunnel through which the team ran to take the field, and Ohio State beat its rival that day, 22–6. The Tunnel of Pride was next formed for the 1995 Notre Dame game, which the Buckeyes also won. In each home game against Michigan since, the tradition has been repeated.
Carmen Ohio: Instituted in 2001, at the conclusion of all home games the coaches, players and cheerleaders gather in the south end zone next to the marching band to sing the university's alma mater, Carmen Ohio, t the student section.
The Hive and Pre-Game Circle: Prior to its warmup routine before every football game, the team exits the locker room as a unit in a controlled manner, linked arm-in-arm in a group known as "The Hive". After warmups the team returns to the locker room, and when it next appears, runs onto the field and forms a circle of players around the strength coach, then they go through their warmup routine.
No comments:
Post a Comment