Alumni answer: What’s the best Ohio State tradition?
From TBDBITL, football and mass movements across campus to private rituals, 17 Buckeyes share their personal favorites.
For Wayne Kaser ’60, ’68 MBA, the answer is obvious: football games. And yes, he has counted.
“I am now 86 years old, with two degrees from Ohio State, and have attended in person—between home and away, bowl games and play-off games—424 games, including the three home games so far this year.”
Keep in mind, he sent that to us mid-season this year, so his count has surely increased.
“My favorite tradition at Ohio State was the prep up to THE GAME.”
Brett Bevan ’02 has also carried his favorite Ohio State tradition long past his college days. He used to have pancakes at Larkins Hall the morning of the game against TTUN, so now he makes breakfast for his family and blasts TBDBITL music on these special days. “I hope this carries on with my kids and their kids,” he says.
Here are some more of our favorite answers.
“I was in the marching band from 1973 to 1976 ...
As part of JI row (drums), I marched the large bass drum. My favorite tradition was the Ramp Entrance where the drums would come out of the tunnel and start the cadence for the rest of the band to form our marching block for ‘Across the Field.’ The roar of the crowd when we hit the sunlight was amazing. And when it was the Michigan game, the roar was deafening. I still get chills thinking about it.” — Mark Hornak ’76
“Of course at the top of my list is Script Ohio. There isn‘t another college that has The Best Damn Band in the Land. The feeling that a person gets from watching the band performing brings tears to my eyes. And walking across the Oval in any weather is a magnificent experience.” — Lizette Perone Bacon ’76
The Ohio State Marching Band performs Script Ohio in the 2022 season. (Photo by Corey Wilson)
“If I am being completely honest, the memory that sticks out in my mind most was Phantom Band. When the big week came, we were ready and had enough toilet paper to hand out to so many others. That night, in the hype and excitement, the band started marching campus, and that’s when the dorms joined in. Yes, we threw TP into the trees. Yes, we jumped into Mirror Lake. But those are some of The Best Damn Memories In The Land!” — Jason Keller ’95
“May Day Bed Races around the Oval!!
Such fun! The fraternities decorated beds and pushed them around the Oval, frequently with their Fraternity Queen on it. Students lined the Oval cheering on their favorites! Sometimes beds broke down or their wheels fell off and cheers, screams and laughs were heard all over. The winners got bragging rights for a year!” — Maria De Maggio Cioffi ’66
“There are many! A standout is Greek Week. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet other sorority and fraternity members, participate in some competitions and do service for the community. I remember being part of our chorus and practicing for weeks before Greek Week’s performance. It was a great time!” — Mary Beth Cowardin ’91, ’01 MBA
“Ushering at Mershon to see great performers for free” — Mary Wachowiak Ortiz ’73
“Coach Woody Hayes’ plea to ‘pay forward’ stands tall even today. He believed in working hard for great rewards, whether it was in the classroom, on the fields of play or in our personal relationships. Giving back to those who helped us along the way is what is natural, but giving before it is expected or asked for shows exceptional character—just what Woody was referring to. Paying forward is no longer a slogan but a Buckeye Tradition.” — Frank Tangeman ’72 OD
“Orton hall chimes. In the late autumn of 1958, as a first-quarter freshman leaving Derby Hall, I heard the chimes strike 5 p.m. Ever since, when I hear TBDBITL’s intro to ‘Carmen Ohio,’ my mind flashes back to that long ago afternoon.” — Thomas Gillette ’62
“High Five Friday with the Boo Radley Society or Carmen Ohio” — Cassandra Smith ’18
“Always was and always will be the singing of the alma mater before and after a game. All these years later, I don’t get through the line ‘the seasons pass, the years will roll’ without being emotional.” — Tom Rounds ’81
“My freshman year I loved all the traditions of Homecoming. Building floats on Greek and dorm lawns, taking my date to the Homecoming Dance at the Union, buying her a yellow mum for the game, voting to select a queen and king. And all of this when the campus wore its beautiful fall coat. BTW, I married her three years later. Sixty years ago and still with my Buckeye!” — Clifford Eldredge ’65, ’71 MS
“When I was attending OSU in the late ’70s, my wife and I lived just north of campus on Riverview Drive. I would ride my bicycle to classes because it was the quickest and easiest way to get to campus. There was a bicycle path just south of Buckeye Village that ran through agricultural land Ohio State owned, now we find athletic complexes on that land. It was a beautiful ride with cows grazing, an occasional bull showing what he was there for.” — Dr. Robert Dornauer ’79 DDS
“The spring assembly of the ROTC cadets on the Oval” — Patrick Taylor ’66
“Camping overnight at St. John Arena to get season basketball tickets. Pizzas were being delivered and there was a lot of camaraderie.” — Michael O’Connell ’81, ’85 MD
“Playing euchre with roommates before studying” — Elizabeth Donaldson Doane ’66
Photo credits from top: football team entering Ohio Stadium, Jodi Miller; crossed-out M’s, Corey Wilson; drum major hats, Ohio State; Script Ohio, Corey Wilson; May Day Bed Races, Ohio State; flashlight, Getty Images; Boo Radley Society, Ohio State; spring cadets, Ohio State
