Introduction to Ohio State Pigskin at Camp Randall!

I distinctly remember the Buckeyes team that year that finished 6-3. This was a really good TEAM that didn’t quite have the muscle to get through the Big 10–for many years the arguably preeminent college sports conference. Seven players from the 1962 Ohio State TEAM were drafted into pro football (Vogel, Sanders, Moeller, Francis, Foster, Kattenrich and Middleton). Other than the 1963 Rose Bowl, many of these games were three yards and clouds of dust. Today it’s high octane air shows in all of football.

Many years passed and the Badger football tickets became cheaper because of the 22 game college losing streak (an unheralded NCAA record at the time) in the mid 1960s. I was even there watching countless missed field goals as Wisconsin had Indiana’s 1968 national championship TEAM on the ropes all day only to lose again.

It wasn’t until a guy called “The Roadrunner” appeared in a Badger uniform that Camp Randall finally woke up. This small framed halfback was a truly feared guy–even Ohio Staters talked about him. As I sat in the stands on yet another football Saturday hoping to witness history, it was not meant to be. With Archie Griffin (2 time Heismann winner) on the other side, Wisconsin fell to Ohio State again.

Now I was a bit older but still couldn’t afford a great seat. I was still going because you just never know. It was a great close game back in the early 70s after the campus finally quieted down and the world was again right (at least for a paper boy). I was probably less inhibited back then and talked to many of the seated Buckeye fans. These Ohio State fans all had an air of invincibility, football knowledge and confidence until the final whistle. They came to Madison to cheer their Buckeye TEAM on, weather the cold, drink decent beer and hopefully have Archie march his way ito the Heisman. I distinctly remember these fans never smiling–EVER! The facial muscles relaxed as they left their seats after the game ended. But no smiles. My God–these Ohio State folks are damn serious. We’ve just never had this level of seriousness and commitment to a game at the UW. Don’t think I could pay enough for the right to be in the stadium with such a level of sports seriousness.

Ohio State pigskin is a regimented culture represented by a deep need to win and play fair. There will be no change in attitude or facial expressions if the team wins 14-13, or lays an egg on Iowa 66-0. Winning is expected, repeated and requires an increase of Zoloft dose if the Buckeye TEAM actually (God forbid) loses. Surprisingly Camp Randall has proven to be an Ohio State stumbling block for years. The UW is a party/academic school that slowly became concerned about football wins. Winning and enjoying it gives every UW professor and student a chance to be uninhibited for a few hours. At Ohio State however, winning is a gold standard like no other. Maybe it’s just the fans that traveled to Madison, or its Ohio genetics or overcast weather that makes these Buckeye fans become morbidly serious over a game. Who knows? Maybe there is nothing else to do in Ohio than cheer these Buckeyes on. By comparison, life goes on in Madison with a loss (I’ve handled many). But not in Columbus where winning every week continues to be like a brand new Olympics for these gladiators at Ohio Stadium. This is precisely why Ohio Stadium on a fall home game day is Ground Zero for College Pigskin.

Rutherford B. Hayes Got It Going!

A “no name” Reconstruction president of the United States really mainstreamed Ohio State into a full college. Previously it was Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College established in 1862 with the Morrill Act. As governor of the state in 1878 Rutherford B. Hayes established the school as The Ohio State University where it became a complete University, consistent with Hayes’s three term gubernatorial social and educational directives. The University began with 24 students in 1873 and had its first graduation of six in 1878. Today Ohio State is the third largest campus in the United States with regional campuses in Marion, Wooster, Lima, Mansfield, and Newark. Ohio State is an elite public Ivy University with high entrance requirements and academic standards. The university has hundreds of student academic and social organizations along with conventional fraternities and sororities. The athletic department is second to none with a budget in the hundreds of millions. Virtually every sport is played at every level including intramural, club and varsity. The Ohio State University has ranked quite high academically in multiple disciplines by varying rating organizations. Its alumni have done well as individuals and have benefitted society in many endeavors including science, politics, art, sports, entertainment, medicine, dentistry and business. Endowments, research and internet technology also rank highly among competing private and public universities.

Pigskin draws undergraduate and graduate students both directly and indirectly. Ohio natives and non-natives from all across the globe come to Columbus for academics. You cannot be a lackadaisical student and graduate from Ohio State. Underlying the academics is football. The Buckeye pigskin experience is a high tier of understanding, knowledge and prowess. Chatter, conventional and social media, game day hype and an opportunity to escape reality and exhaust your lungs all come together uniquely at Ohio State. Governor Hayes had no idea what he began when he renamed Ohio A&M to The Ohio State University.

Rutherford B. Hayes retired a great president who oversaw Reconstruction. His election was the closest in history, winning 185 to 184 electoral votes. The race was not decided for months after election day due to many recounts. In 1881 Hayes retired to Spiegel Grove, his home in Fremont, Ohio. He served a vibrant one term presidency and witnessed the beginning of collegiate sports at The Ohio State University prior to his death in 1893.

Traditions Second to No Other School!

The Ohio State University has two school fight songs:

• Buckeye Battle Cry
• Across the Field

At the end of every home game alumni, fans, students and players sing Carmen Ohio (Latin for Song of Ohio). Many fans still enjoy listening or singing "Hang on Sloopy" during games. Ohio Stadium provides a great escape for a day and memories that can last forever. As you read this article listen in and truly get the feel of Ohio Stadium. The songs and cheers at Ohio Stadium and throughout Ohio include:

Songs

• Across the Field (1915)
• Beautiful Ohio (1918)
• Buckeye Battle Cry (1919)
• Campus Echoes (1952)
• Carmen Ohio (1903)
• Down by the Ohio (1902)
• Fanfare for a New Era (2001)
• Hang on Sloopy (1965)
• I Wanna go Back to Ohio State (1930)
• Le Regiment de Sambre et Meuse (1871)
• Round on the End and HIgh in the Middle (1922)
• We Don’t Give a Damn for the Whole State of Michigan (1940)

Cheers

• Let’s Go Bucks (1983)
• Ohio–Let’s Go Bucks Cheer (2009)
• The Hey Cheer (1972)
• The Neutron Dance (1984)
• Seven Nation Army (2003)
• Short Cheers (2008)

The songs and cheers are engrained into every Ohioan who cares about the University and its football program. Though Ohio State’s tentacles are wide, most of the real roots of The Ohio State University program come from within Ohio itself. Unlike Notre Dame with its million “subway fans,” the Buckeye fan base consists of relatives living within the state–hating the Wolverines–attending Ohio State and their like of the players, coaches and TEAMS of The University. Ohio State realizes immense exposure throughout the world for its excellent sports programs, especially pigskin.

The Buckeye and other aligned web sites summarize the historical nature of Ohio State’s football traditions from helmets to homecoming. Few schools can match this tremendous pigskin tradition.

Football Traditions

Buckeye Leaves	The tradition of placing Buckeye Leaves on the Ohio State helmets started in 1968 when Woody Hayes and longtime trainer Ernie Biggs changed the look of the Ohio State uniforms. The new look included names on the back of the jerseys and a wide "Buckeye stripe" on the sleeves of the jersey believed to be the first of its kind in the sport of football.
Victory Bell	Located in the southeast tower of Ohio Stadium, the Victory Bell is rung after every Ohio State victory. It was a gift of the classes of 1943, 1944 and 1945. Resting 150-feet up in the southeast tower, members of Alpha Phi Omega ring the bell after victories, a tradition that began after Ohio State beat California Oct. 2, 1954. On a calm day, it is said the bell can be heard five miles away. The bell weighs 2,420 pounds and cost $2,535 to install.
Scarlet & Gray	Ohio State's official school colors since 1878, Scarlet and Gray were chosen by a group of three students in a lecture room in University Hall because "it was a pleasing combination...and had not been adopted by any other college," noted selection committee member Alice Townshend Wing.
Brutus Buckeye	One of the more visible symbols of Ohio State athletics is Brutus Buckeye, the school's mascot. In 1965, an art student designed and introduced the first Brutus, while the name was chosen in a contest. The mascot began as a hardened paper mache affair that looked like a bowling ball with legs. In 1975, a radical new Brutus was designed with a prune-like head and a man's body. That attempt was booed off the field and was re-worked, giving way to a mascot comparable to the beloved present-day Brutus. The original choices for Ohio State's mascot included a ram, an elk, a moose and the leading candidate, a male deer. Due to the skittish nature of deer, the idea of a mascot was tabled until January 1941 when "Chris," a German police dog owned by an assistant cheerleader, made an appearance at a basketball game. The dog's career was short-lived and Ohio State remained without an official mascot until the 1960s.
Cheerleaders	Buckeye cheerleaders are a constant source of support at all athletics events. The squad took second at the 2001 College Cheerleading National Championship, its highest finish since winning the 1993 title, and has placed first in the east region in 13 of the last 16 years. The cheerleaders make appearances all over the state throughout the year.
Gold Pants	A gold charm replica of a pair of football pants is given to players and coaches following wins over Michigan. The tradition started in 1934 when first-year coach Francis Schmidt told those wondering how Ohio State would fare with its nemesis from Ann Arbor: "They put their pants on one leg at a time just like everybody else." Schmidt's Buckeyes then went and defeated Michigan four-consecutive times, all by shutout.
Buckeye Grove	Since 1934, a Buckeye tree has been planted in honor of each of Ohio State's All-American. Trees are usually planted in a pregame ceremony at the spring game. With the renovation of Ohio Stadium in 2001, the Buckeye Grove is now located at the southwest corner of the stadium.
Senior Tackle	A last practice of the year tradition since 1913 where the seniors hit the blocking sled one final time. For many years it was held following the last practice prior to the season finale with Michigan. But depending upon the Buckeyes' bowl obligation, it has sometimes been moved to the last home practice before the team departs for its bowl obligation.
Tunnel of Pride	The brainchild of ex-Ohio State quarterback Rex Kern and former Director of Athletics Andy Geiger, the Tunnel of Pride actually started in 1995, when Notre Dame visited Ohio Stadium for the first meeting between the two teams in nearly 50 years. In an effort to generate even more emotion, excitement and enthusiasm than already existed, Kern and Geiger reached out to former Buckeye football players who were attending the game and asked them to form a tunnel for the team to run through as it came onto the field. Thus a tradition was born, which is now continued every other year when Michigan visits Ohio Stadium.
Captain's Breakfast	Started in 1934, this annual event is held on homecoming weekend. All past captains are invited back for a breakfast and to welcome in the new captains.
The IlliBuck Trophy	The winner of the Ohio State - Illinois game has received the Illibuck trophy since the tradition began in 1925. Illibuck was a live turtle, but has been a wooden replica since 1927. Also representative of the rivalry is the peace pipe. Members of two junior honorary societies, Bucket and Dipper of Ohio State and Sachem of Illinois, annually meet at halftime of the Fighting Illini-Buckeye game to smoke the peace pipe and present the "Illibuck" trophy to the winning school from the previous year.
The Michigan Game	The annual Ohio State-Michigan football game was No. 1 on a list of the 10 Greatest Rivalries In Sports compiled by the editorial staff at ESPN.com in 1999. There simply is no greater rivalry in college athletics.
Homecoming	First recognized in 1912, Homecoming began as "Ohio State Day." It was initiated by Professor (and later Ohio State President) George W. Rightmire. Homecoming was designed to bring the alumni back to the university and celebrate. The celebration has been noted, among other things, for the decorating of Greek chapter facilities and university dormitories. The parade is another tradition Buckeyes' hold high. The parade did not become a time-honored tradition until it joined the schedule permanently in 1965. In 1926, student supporters wishing to pull a practical joke on the university, convinced the community that Maudine Ormsby was to be honored as queen. She was so popular on campus, she won the vote. Maudine, pictured at the right, actually turned out to be a cow, the only cow ever elected as homecoming queen.
Block O	An Ohio State University and Ohio Stadium tradition, Block "O" is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year. Known for spreading spirit, starting cheers and performing card stunts, Block "O" was founded in 1938 by Clancy Isaac. After seeing a cheering section at the University of Southern California, Isaac decided that it was something Ohio State needed. Sixty-five years later, Block "O" is Ohio State's largest student organization on campus and has gained local and national recognition.

Retired Jerseys

You won't see any Buckeyes wearing the numbers 22, 27, 31, 40, 45, 47 or 99 on the field, but those digits can be easily spotted inside Ohio Stadium. Seven Ohio State players have had the ultimate honor of having their numbers retired. To have a number retired, a player must have graduated from Ohio State, or have been in good academic standing upon departure from Ohio State, in the case of leaving early for a professional career. He also must have won the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Award, the Associated Press Player of the Year Award, the Football Writers Player of the Year Award or the American Football Coaches Player of the Year Award.

Start Date: October 30, 1999
Jerseys Retired:

• #45 Archie Griffin (1999)
• #31 Vic Janowicz (2000)
• #40 "Hop" Cassady (2000)
• #22 Les Horvath (2001)
• #27 Eddie George (2001)
• #47 "Chic" Harley (2004)
• WH Woody Hayes (2005)
• #99 Bill Willis (2007)

Wall of Fame

In the Buckeye football team meeting room within the Woody Hayes Facility is the "Wall of Fame" which contains letters from former Buckeye players who have summed up their feelings of what it means to be a Buckeye. Current players can take the opportunity to digest those words at any time by simply reading the letters.

Carmen Ohio

October 25, 1902 is a dubious day in Ohio State football history. The Buckeyes lost their fourth ever meeting to Michigan by an 86-0 count, to this day still the worst loss in school history. From great despair though, dogged determination arose that continues to define Ohio State football 103 years later. On the train back from Ann Arbor, team member Fred Cornell put pen to paper. The result: We know it now as Carmen Ohio, which was published in 1906 and later adopted as the school's official alma mater. The first part of the title is derived from the Latin word "Carmen," meaning "song" or "poem." A new tradition with Carmen Ohio was established in 2001. Upon completion of home games–win or lose–Buckeye players and coaches congregate with the cheerleaders to sing Carmen Ohio with accompaniment from the marching band. This tradition created unforgettable scenes following the victories over Michigan in 2002 and 2004.

Ohio Stadium

Brutus Buckeye

One of the more visible symbols of Ohio State athletics is Brutus Buckeye, the school’s mascot. In 1965 an art student designed and introduced the first Brutus, while the name was chosen in a contest. The mascot began as a hardened paper mache affair that looked like a bowling ball with legs. In 1975, a radical new Brutus was designed with a prune-like head and a man’s body. That attempt was booed off the field and was re-worked, giving way to a mascot comparable to the beloved present day Brutus.

The original choices for Ohio State’s mascot included a ram, an elk, a moose and the leading candidate, a male deer. Due to the skittish nature of deer, the idea of a mascot was tabled until January 1941 when “Chris,” a German police dog owned by an assistant cheerleader, made an appearance at a basketball game. The dog’s career was short lived and Ohio State remained without an official mascot until the 1960s.

TBDBITL

To some, they are referred to simply as "The pride of the Buckeyes." Others prefer the more vigorous title of T.B.D.B.I.T.L. (The Best Damn Band in the Land). By far Ohio State's longest running tradition, the band's roots date back to 1879.

Stadium fans know that kickoff is just moments away when the band makes it entrance down the ramp at the north end of the field, paced by the drum major. The entrance, the brainchild of band members Bill Knepper and Elvin Donaldson, started in 1928.Seventy-eight years later, virtually the same entrance is still used. Eugene Weigel, Ohio State band director from 1929-1938 changed the instrumentation to all-brass in 1934.

The current band lists 225 members, still sans woodwinds. The incomparable Script Ohio is a band formation that takes three and a half minutes to execute. It begins with a triple "Block O" formation which unwinds at the direction of the drum major into the word Ohio, literally written by marching band members. It's capped off with the dotting of the "i" in which a sousaphone player high steps from the second "o" to properly complete the "i," much to the delight of the crowd. To be eligible for the honor, a sousaphone player must be in his or her fourth year. Fifth-year members of the band may do so, but only after all four-year students have been chosen. Only eight non-band members have ever dotted the "i."

Walk to the Horseshoe

Each home game, the football team walks as a single group to the Skull Session to address the fans. After the Skull Session, the team proceeds through a tunnel of fans to Ohio Stadium to begin their final preparation for the game at hand./p>

Skull Session

The warm-up routine of the Ohio State University Marching Band takes place in St. John Arena, right across the street from Ohio Stadium, two hours before kickoff of home games. In 1932, band director Eugene Weigel began having his marching band memorize the music they would be playing that week. Before game-time, the band would go through its routine as a final rehearsal. For 24 years it went on in the band's rehearsal hall, before moving inside St. John Arena in 1957. Along the way, the format was tweaked to make it more of a pep-rally atmosphere, and crowds have responded, often to the tune of over 10,000 people. In 2001, Coach Tressel began bringing the football team by the skull session on their way into the stadium for the game. Now, beginning with Coach Tressel, a senior addresses the crowd as well, adding to the frenzied environment.

Senior Tackle

A last practice of the year tradition since 1913 where the seniors hit the blocking sled one final time. For many years it was held following the last practice prior to the season finale with Michigan. But depending upon the Buckeyes’ bowl obligation, it has sometimes been moved to the last home practice before the team departs for its bowl obligation.

Captain’s Breakfast

Homecoming is always a special event for those returning to Columbus in the fall. However, for one select group it's an annual opportunity to continue to provide leadership to the Ohio State program. The weekend of Homecoming, every former Buckeye captain is invited back to take part in the captain's breakfast. The current captains are welcomed into the club, and given mugs with their names and season engraved on it. Columbus businessmen Walter Jeffery, who believed past captains should be honored, started this tradition at Scioto Country Club back in 1934.

Pay Forward

Woody Hayes used to have a saying. He would drop it into conversations all the time. “You can never pay back,” he would say. “So you should always try to pay forward.” Paying Forward Today: Athletes from all of the varsity sports at The Ohio State University take time to give back to the community and "pay forward" in a number of different ways with a number of organizations. Each Friday before Ohio State home football games, members of the team take some time to visit with patients at both Children’s Hospital in Columbus and the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital. These hospital visits date back to the days when Woody Hayes roamed the sidelines.

Block O

Mirror Lake

Before the Ohio State/Michigan game at the end of the season, Ohio State 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 the following game day.

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. Rex Kern, quarterback of the 1968 National Championship team, and then Director of Athletics Andy Geiger, together used the concept as a means of connecting current Buckeyes with those who played before them. 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.

The Hive and Pre-game Circle

Tressel brought to the Buckeye football program two pre-game traditions he developed at Youngstown State. Prior to its warm-up 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 other school has the tradition, spirit and collegiate football spectacle quite like Ohio State. The great tradition of fundamental football combined with fan and alumni who subscribe to the university and its traditions associated with pigskin easily makes Columbus, Ohio a premier place to be on a Saturday game day.

Recruiting Roads: US 23, US 33, I – 70, and I – 71 are well traveled by elite Ohio coaches and players.

Ohio State’s competitors seemingly are at a great coaching disadvantage. If you have coaching ability and the thirst it takes to be successful, then Ohio football at any level is first rate. As a state, Ohio has a perfected system of Pop Warner, high school, D-I, II and III collegiate players and coaches that allows the elite to march into Ohio Stadium when its time. This is an informal de facto Communist-like regimented sports production system in effect which leads to Big 10 and national championships. Excellent players and coaches stay within the state and perform and coach in Ohio itself. Few really good players or coaches slip out of the state. There are clearly many hurdles and real road blocks for the elite to leave the state because frankly, Ohio youth football and coaching is as good as it gets anywhere in the United States. Recruiting avenues to high schools and colleges flow freely within the state. If you are worthy of playing college football then signing an early letter of intent during your year of high school graduation typically occurs. Ohio State obtains and publishes verbal commitments even prior to the senior year in high school.

Transfer players from Division-II levels such as Ashland, Findlay, Central State, Lake Erie, Ohio Dominican, Truman State and Urbana occurs with exceptional players. Ohio State has a great walk on program with many walk-ons becoming starters or role players. The walk-ons are pursuing a dream and earn their scholarship by playing with great incentive. Each high school historically has a knack for being a linebacker or QB factory. The fine filter of all these schools leads to the interstate road system funneling the elite into Ohio Stadium and freshman Western Civilization at Columbus. Barbershop talk, coaching, family pressure and the very football culture itself leads the elite Ohio player and coach to remain on home turf. Rutherford B. Hayes traveled these very roads on horseback and returned home to Ohio the day after his presidency ended. Rutherford knew Ohio was a great place to live. Let’s review the top Ohio high school football programs.

JJ Huddle’s Top 10 Football Programs of the Last Five Years

1. Hilliard Davidson (MaxPreps Ranking: Not Ranked): The Wildcats own two Div-I state titles, three regional titles, four regional final appearances and five OCC titles the last five years. (59 wins since start of 2006)
2. Youngstown Ursuline (6): Irish have won three-straight D-V state titles and played in four straight state finals. (58 wins)
3. Alter (7): The Knights are only a point shy of winning three state titles in the last five years. They still have two state titles, three state finals and four regional titles. (64 wins)
4. Delphos St. John’s (NR): The Blue Jays have played in three straight D-VI state championships and were five seconds away from three straight titles. As is, DSJ won two titles and now owns six total. The Blue Jays won 42 games the last three years. (52 wins)
5. Youngstown Mooney (8): The Cardinals own two state titles and have played in three state finals and four regional finals since 2006. (59 wins)
6. Coldwater (10): The Cavaliers own one state title, three regional titles and four MAC titles and have played in three state finals (and four regional finals) the last five years. (61 wins)
7. Marion Local (NR): Since 2006, the Flyers have won two state and four regional titles. (56 wins)
8. Steubenville (NR): Big Red has run away with one state championship and three regional titles in the last five years. It’s also played in two state finals and four regional finals. (61 wins)
9. Glenville (5): The Tarblooders depth and talent has produced a state final and two regional finals since 2006. (55 wins)
10. St. Xavier (1): The Bombers have been Southwest Ohio’s top big school with one state title and three regional finals the last five years. (45 wins)

Honorable Mention
:

• Colerain (2)
• St. Ignatius (4)
• Maple Heights
• Chagrin Falls

• Mentor

Cradle of Coaches

It always seems that great football coaches come from the "Cradle of Coaches": Miami of Ohio or other great high school and college football schools within Ohio. The cradle has produced many elite head and assistant coaches that traveled to Columbus for work after being successful within the state. Names such as Les Miles, Urban Meyer, Lou Saban, Bo Pelini, Gary Finkel, Dom Capers and Pete Carroll all have Ohio roots. Fifteen of the past 20 contenders for the collegiate national championship had Ohio connections by origin, playing or coaching. Fifteen percent of D-I schools have Ohio rooted head coaches, despite Ohio having only 4% of the US population. Woody Hayes, Paul Brown, Jim Tressel, Sid Gillman, Bill Mallory, Bill Arnsbarger, George Little, and Gary Moeller coached at both Miami of Ohio and Ohio State. Bo Schembechler played under Woody Hayes in Oxford (Miami of Ohio), coached under him at Ohio State and began the famous “Ten Year War” while coaching at Michigan.



There are 36 NCAA football schools in Ohio which all produce major talent in football players and coaches. Endless streams of excellent coaches and former players within Ohio have dreams of coaching at Ohio State. Fundamental football coaching is at the very heart of all Ohio football. Youngstown State has produced incredible collegiate coaches. This is a true salt of the earth football program with roots in an Ohio steel manufacturing city. Jim Bollman, Jim Tressel, and Mark Dantonio (MSU’s present coach) came to Ohio State from Youngstown State University (YSU). Youngstown State won four national championships in Division-II in the 1990s under Tressel before he traveled to Ohio State.

Ohio University has contributed immensely to NFL drafts and coaching talent at all levels. Cincinnati has been a top program for many years nationally. Brian Kelly (present Notre Dame Coach) had tremendous success at the University of Cincinnati. Dayton produced Jon Gruden, a very successful collegiate and NFL coach as well as TV football analyst. Dennis Green, NFL coach, was also a product of the Dayton program. Toledo has had years of excellent football program wins. Its early years produced an impressive 35 game win streak. Divison III football in Mount Union of Alliance, Ohio has produced 55 and 54 game win streaks, winning 109 of 110 games. Its recent ten Div III national football titles has garnered great attention for Mount Union and its football program. With its excellence a cultural norm and the sport deeply rooted in its citizenry, Ohio football sets a standard for the whole country. All these factors contribute strongly to the Ohio State collegiate program because competition and excitement for the sport within the state leads to all the football programs becoming more successful. The development and maintenance of Ohio football traditions is strengthened and has contributions from hundreds of sources from Pop Warner to rival competing Ohio pigskin programs.

Kick Ass Band and Spirit Squads Second to None

The world’s largest percussion and brass band plays at Ohio Stadium. This is a true spectacle and many fans attend in large part to hear and see these great young musicians perform. Fully twenty percent of the Ohio State band are music majors. The band began in 1878 with a 12 piece fife and drum corps. Multiple marching band techniques and innovations were started at Ohio State including: floating or animated formations, measured step marching, script writing and fast cadence with high knee lift. All the Ohio State songs are played throughout the game. Intense pre and post game and halftime shows are tremendous with a brass tonal quality second to none. Ohio State requires tryouts (400 total routinely) and if selected, an immense commitment to musical, performing and marching excellence. The Ohio State band is held to a mental and physical requirement to maintain the years of excellence. Women joined the band in 1973 and the numbers now are fairly equal to men. The marching band has kept its numbers near 225. The pattern of the band is military British style. Multiple awards have been earned by the Ohio State marching band including college band of the year. Some members additionally play in the concert band. The Ohio State marching band plays throughout Ohio and the US for parades, festivals, charity events, hospitals and groups physically unable to attend concerts or football games.

Entering Ohio stadium early allows a fan to witness a big time college football drum major performing a “back bend” to the extreme (forming the O). Initially the traditional entrance by the Buckeye band occurs from the famed tunnel leading with "Buckeye Battle Cry." A march to the opposition side of the field traditionally has the Ohio State marching band playing the visitor’s fight song. Ohio State’s fans, spirit squads, administration, coaches, players and the band itself treats the opposition TEAM and its entourage with high respect. The Ohio State marching band uniform is a complex outfit with many parts. The entire uniform consists of: Plume, Hat, Eagle Ohio, red beret with Diamond Ohio patch, short sleeve white dress shirt, black wool military tie, dark Navy blue jacket, cross belts, breast plate for belts, waist plates for belts, dark Navy blue trousers with appropriate attaching belt or suspenders, spats, gloves, and military dress shoes. No one walks out of Ohio stadium not getting their money’s worth from the biggest spectacle in collegiate sports.

The Ohio State percussion and brass band plays mostly at the Schottenstein Center as well as Ohio Stadium along the banks of the Olentangy River. The band has received national and International acclaim because of its musical and marching excellence which adds to the atmosphere amidst the Buckeyes playing fall tackle football. Season tickets are met with a strong waiting list. Many feel what with the band, cheerleaders, dance team and mascot along with its consistently winning pigskin program, The Ohio State University is truly the very best spectacle in collegiate football.

Cheerleading, the Dance TEAM, and Brutus (Buckeye Mascot) are all part of the Ohio State Spirit TEAM. Unquestionably these students and their performances bring fans and money into the program. The cheerleading squad is extremely competitive. The hours required for any of the Spirit squads are endless. The numbers of people watching performances at Ohio Stadium, other Columbus and Ohio venues, as well as through television is in the millions. Frequently television cameras spotlight cheer squads. Ohio State cheerleaders obtain substantial exposure at Ohio Stadium during pre and post game venues and being featured with multiple routines throughout the games on cable TV. The high requirements of Ohio State cheerleaders lead to consistently high rankings among the elite in college sports. The intense time commitment, athleticism and intensity learning cheers and routines (hardly anything is routine) is extreme. Cheerleaders, dance squads and team mascots spend an equal amount of practice and preparation time as D-I athletes. The real crux of cheerleading is that through great individual effort and TEAM commitment, a superb art and athletic product is produced. At Ohio State it is quite difficult to be recruited or walk onto a D-I sports TEAM–yet making a spirit TEAM of cheer or dance is even more difficult.

Cheerleaders rank at the top of the heap in many studies regarding life skills post college, including happiness, health, marriage, job satisfaction, and offspring issues. Ohio State has a superb alumni cheerleading tradition with fees, reunions and social gatherings. The Ohio State spirit squads contribute unquestionably directly to the University football tradition and indirectly, in attracting great people and maintaining Ohio State as an elite “Complete” University as defined by Rutherford B. Hayes.

Very Famous Buckeye Fans in the Stands!

1. Kenneth Wilson was the 1982 Nobel Laureate in physics.
2. Julia Keller was a feature writer and winner of a Pulitzer Prize in 1995.
3. W. Ann Reynolds was the chancellor of two of the three largest collegiate academic institutions in the US (CSU and CUNY).
4. R.L. Stine was a prolific Ohio State grad who authored many children’s books.
5. George Steinbrenner, long time Yankee owner and shipbuilder, was a grad assistant under Woody Hayes.
6. Patrick Markey produced "A River Runs Through It."
7. Fred Silverman was a top ABC executive.
8. Erin Moriarity turned into a CBS analyst and nine time Emmy award winner.
9. Evelyn Lundberg Stratton is a current Ohio Supreme Court Justice.
10. Paul Russon served multiple ambassadorial positions.
11. General Curtis Lemay was a Buckeye and World War II Army Air Corps commander who went on to became commander of the USAF Strategic Air Command and later, Chief of Staff of the US Air Force.
12. Esther S. Tekeuchi was a bioengineer who made cardiac defibrillators possible.
13. Buckeye Paul Ebert served mankind by promoting advancements in pediatric heart surgery.
14. Blaine Wilson garnered a silver medal in gymnastics in the Athens Olympics.
15. Robert Knight and John Havilicek were leaders on some very famous Ohio State hoop TEAMS.
16. Nick Swisher and Frank Howard were noted MLB players.
17. Troy Smith outplayed the entire county in 2006 on his way to a Heisman Trophy.
18. Meg Mallon, Tom Weiskopf and Jack Nicklaus were All Americans on the Ohio State golf squads.
19. Zac Dalpe has played in the NHL and Kyle Veris played soccer for the MLS’s LA Galaxy.

The Ohio State University has maintained itself as a “Complete University” by Rutherford B. Hayes’ standards. In fact Ohio State as an elite public university brings out the very best in many of its students, many of whom now attend Ohio State football games on a routine basis. Undoubtedly due to the many accomplishments of Ohio State alumni, the bleachers on any given fall Saturday are chocked full of superstar alums.

Let’s Review the Football Record a Bit!



For many years the Big 10 was essentially the Big 2 plus 8. Obviously the Big 2 were Ohio State and Michigan. In the last ten years it has not been a given that these two TEAMS will be on top for their final rivalry game in late November. Specifically Wisconsin became a dominant TEAM of the 90s with three Rose Bowl victories. Other TEAMS within the conference have fared well in the Big 10 and nationally including Penn State, Iowa, Northwestern, Michigan State and now the Cornhuskers. Today the Big Ten is as balanced with conference football as any other NCAA conference. The academic standards maintained within the conference have kept a brake on potential national pigskin dominance by Big Ten member schools. Playing winning football at Ohio State and obtaining a meaningful degree is an accomplishment. Ohio State is a difficult place to obtain a degree, however the education is as good as it gets. Above average academic work beyond the football field is required.

As with many student athletes competing in NCAA sports, an extremely high motivation for academic success and love of the sport must coincide. It is substantially difficult to achieve in both endeavors, but most of these Ohio State pigskin players “step up” and get their degree. The rewards of athletic commitments go well beyond the Ohio State winning records. Nationally the rate of maturation from NCAA Division I football to the NFL is 3%. Ohio State goes well beyond this mark. Hundreds of Ohio State pigskin grads have made their mark in the NFL. Thousands of young adults maturing from this collegiate juggernaut have been strong contributors to the entire Ohio pigskin culture of fundamentals and winning football. If not in the NFL, these great young adults become involved with football in some ancillary role as teachers, administrators, coaches, trainers, recruiters, writers and media experts.

Pigskin success didn’t come easy at Ohio State. In fact this TEAM which began in 1890 lost its first 16 games to Michigan. In 1922 Ohio Stadium was built. Ohio stadium is still a great sporting venue with multiple facility improvements through the years. Most Ohio State historians define the timetable of Ohio State football in terms of coaches tenures beginning with Liley coercing Cole to coach an Ohio State football TEAM in 1890. In the ensuing years it took a succession of coaches before a winning season arrived with John Wilce in 1913. Over the next 15 years he compiled a record of 77-38-9 while winning three Big Ten conference titles.

Two more conference titles occurred with Coach Francis Schmidt while Coach Paul Brown led the Buckeyes to a national championship in 1942. Following World War II the Ohio State program struggled until Woody Hayes was hired as the dead coach in 1951. Woody was known for rigorous practices, his “in your face” preaching of fundamentals and winning at all costs. Hayes won 13 conference titles, 5 national championships and 4 of 8 Rose Bowls before being Hayes dismissed in 1978. Earl Bruce succeeded Hayes and won the conference title his first year as head coach, ultimately losing in the Rose Bowl. He was the AP coach of the year his first year as head Ohio State coach.



John Cooper picked up the head coaching reins in 1987 and won multiple Big 10 titles. He was ultimately dismissed for not defeating Michigan consistently (2-10-1). Cooper didn’t win a national title (now expected by the Ohio State fans). At this juncture Ohio State fans regarded winning as cure for all evils within any program. Handing any Rose Bowl berths to another school in the Big 10 (especially Michigan) became grounds for dismissal as head coach at Ohio State.Unfortunately John Cooper was forced to find employment elsewhere in 2001 despite four Big 10 titles. The following year noted Div II national championship coach JIm Tressell from Youngstown State arrived. Tressel coached from 2001-2010 and won 7 conference titles and 5 of 8 Bowl Championship Series games. However, pressure from the NCAA due to rules infractions caused Tressel to resign in 2011. Following his resignation Ohio State’s 2012 team was declared ineligible for bowl participation by the NCAA. Assistant coach Luke Fickell coached the Ohio State TEAM in 2011. Following the 2011 season the former Florida coaching legend and Ohio State alum Urban Meyer succeeded to the reins.

Ohio State’s pigskin record as of 2012 is 835–316–53 with a post season bowl record of 19-23. The record also includes 7 national and 34 conference titles, 7 Heisman Trophy winners, 9 undefeated seasons, participation in 44 bowl games, 18 National Football Foundation scholar athlete awards, 30 players and coaches inductees to the College Football Hall of Fame and 78 All American players.

Heisman Trophy winners

most awards for any school. Archie Griffin remains the only two-time recipient in the history of the award.

Michigan Week Supersedes Life Itself!

• Ohio State didn’t win until the 16th game in the series (1919).
• From 1968 through 1980 (that’s a 13 year period) the Big Ten Rose Bowl representative was either Ohio State or Michigan.
• Jim Tressel was only the fourth coach in Ohio State football history to win his first game against Michigan and only the second Ohio State coach to start 2-0 against the Wolverines. The other was Francis Schmidt, who started 4-0 from 1934 to 1937.
• Schmidt also introduced the tradition of the "gold pants." After accepting the coaching position, he was asked how he expected to cope with the Ohio State nemesis from Ann
• Arbor. His matter-of-fact answer developed into a cliché: "They put their pants on one leg at a time same as everybody else." Schmidt’s comment led to the formation of the
• “Golden Pants Club,” which awarded miniature gold football pants to all players who had a hand in a victory over the Wolverines.
• Biggest margin of victory in the series for the Buckeyes was in Schmidt’s second season, 38-0 in Ann Arbor.
• Under Tressel, the Buckeyes posted an 8-1 record against arch-rival Michigan.
• This year (2012) will mark the 109th game between the two universities.