Tag Archives: ohio state buckeyes

Buckeye Snapshots (Issue #16)

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Jerry Lucas statue displaying his famous hook shot in front of the Schottenstein Center on the campus of The Ohio State University.

One of the true legends of The Ohio State University’s athletics is Jerry Lucas.  Born on March 30, 1940, the native of Middletown has achieved greatness in high school, college, and professional basketball.

Middletown is located between Dayton and Cincinnati in southwestern Ohio.  With a population of about 50,000, the community is bigger than many in the Buckeye state. 

While playing for the Middletown High School Middies, Lucas leads his team to victory in 76 consecutive games.  Two state championships are also added to the school’s trophy case.

Following high school, there is no doubt in Lucas’ mind that he will play for the Ohio State Buckeyes.  He arrives on campus with an academic scholarship.  This is his desire in case the basketball journey does not pan out. 

Photos of Lucas at Ohio State as well as 1960 U.S. Olympic team.

At 6 feet 8 inches, Lucas becomes a prolific scorer and rebounder.  He develops a nearly perfect hook shot, and his basketball IQ far exceeds that of most players.  He becomes the consummate team player as well. 

During Lucas’ tenure with the Buckeyes, the team records a record of 78 wins and only six loses.  They play in three consecutive national championship games, while winning in 1960. 

While still in college, Lucas plays for the U.S. national team in the 1960 Olympics in Rome, Italy.  The American squad successfully defends its reputation as the best in the world on its way to winning another gold medal.

Lucas showing off his famous hook shot, Sports Illustrated cover.

Following his college career, Lucas goes on to play in the NBA.  His career begins with the Cincinnati Royals, continues with the San Francisco Warriors (now Golden State), and ends with the New York Knicks.  In his first season of professional basketball, he is honored as the league’s Rookie of the Year.

Playing with his heart as well as his mind, Lucas achieves recognition beyond even his childhood dreams.  He becomes the first American basketball player to win championships at the high school, college, and professional levels.  His NBA championship ring arrives in 1973. 

After retiring from basketball in 1974, Lucas is inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980. 

Late in his NBA career, Lucas Playing with the New York Knicks

Beyond basketball, Lucas is gifted with a phenomenal memory.  He develops memory games at the age of nine.  His increasing active mind opens pathways to amazing memory powers. 

His fourth grade teacher asks students to imagine the Great Lakes and see homes floating there.  H – O – M – E – S represents lakes Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior.  Lucas takes this example and others as he develops a nearly endless cache of memory techniques.

He always impresses other students, teammates, and the media.  Following his basketball career, he develops a system of memory education and authors several books.  These include The Memory Book (1974) and Learning How to Learn (2001). 

The memory book (1974), lucas standing with ohio state football’s two-time heisman trophy winner, archie griffin.  (all photos courtesy of pinterest)

Buckeye Snapshots (Issue #13)

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From a night game, the proud tradition of “Script Ohio” continues. (Photo courtesy of Pinterest)

The proud Buckeyes’ football program at The Ohio State University plays its first game in 1890.  Beginning in 1899, another significant tradition begins with the introduction of a marching band at home games. 

During the 1922 season, home games begin to be played in Ohio Stadium (nicknamed the “Horseshoe”).  The marching band remains a key component of football’s lasting legacy at the university.

Left:  aerial view of ohio stadium.  right:  statue near ohio stadium celebrates the birth of “script ohio.”  (photos courtesy of pinterest)

The band’s foremost tradition remains the “Script Ohio” formation, which has been in continuous use since 1936.  Designed by Director Eugene Weigel, the band marches in formation for the first time as the Buckeyes host the Indiana Hoosiers on October 24.

Back in those early days, the marching band consists of 120 members.  Today’s band features 192 members.

During the pre-game ceremony, the marching band is given center state on the turf of Ohio Stadium.  The “Script Ohio” formation begins along the sideline, centered at the 50-yard line.  A triple block “O” becomes the starting point from which a constantly flowing script slowly unwinds across the field. 

As the drum major leads the way, the band plays “Le Regiment de Sambre et Meuce.”  O-H-I-O unfolds and loops with each letter until the “I” is dotted.

“Le Regiment de Sambre et Meuse” is a military march, which is written by French composer, Robert Planquette, in 1870.  The cadence of the music blends perfectly with the graceful loops of “Script Ohio.”

According to tradition, a senior sousaphone player is selected to dot the “I” as he is led by the drum major to his assigned place.  He removes his hat and salutes the cheering crowd in the “Shoe.”

The video below showcases the “Script Ohio” of The Ohio State University marching band.  The formation begins at the 3:30 mark.

On rare occasions, notable people have been invited to dot the “I” at home games.  Here are some of the people who have been honored with this privilege:

  • Comedian Bob Hope (1978)
  • Buckeyes’ Head Coach Woody Hayes (1983)
  • Ohio State alum and professional golfer Jack Nicklaus (2006)
  • Astronaut John Glenn and his wife, Annie (2009)
  • Two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin (2024)

featured “i” dotters:  john and annie glenn, archie griffin.  (photos courtesy of pinterest)

Buckeye Snapshots (Issue #5)

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A recent scene from a Buckeyes’ game at the “Shoe.”

Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, Ohio Stadium is hallowed ground for The Ohio State University football team.  The Buckeyes have played here since 1922.

Nicknamed the “Horseshoe,” the venerable stadium graces the west side of campus near the Olentangy River.  The journey to build this magnificent home goes back to the World War I era.

The Buckeyes playing field back in the 1910s is Ohio Field.  The unassuming name cannot hide the fact that this football home is less than adequate.  Seating is limited to 14,000, but some games find more fans viewing from the perimeter of the field as a standing-room only (sometimes in excess of 20,000).

Left: From 1916, the Buckeyes in action at Ohio Field. Right: Three-time All-American Charles “Chic” Harley. (courtesy of Pinterest)

The catalyst behind the need for a much larger stadium for the Buckeyes is traced to the success of the team in 1916, 1917, and 1919.  Ohio State’s first three-time All-American, Charles “Chic” Harley leads the team to numerous victories and conference championships.  Playing in the period before college football’s Heisman Trophy, Harley would have been a cinch to win this prestigious award as college football’s most outstanding player.  One might say that Ohio Stadium is the field Chic built.

Left: The original Ohio Stadium. Right: Recent aerial view. (courtesy of Pinterest)

Needing a much bigger stadium, Ohio Stadium is constructed with its unique horseshoe design.  Ohio Wesleyen becomes the first opponent to play here on October 7, 1922.  The original stadium’s seating capacity is 66,000, but it is far exceeded later in the 1922 season when the Buckeyes host the Michigan Wolverines before 71,138 spectators.

Field-level view during a youth flag football event. My grandson was participating.

Here are some quick facts about the “Horseshoe.”

  • Current seating capacity:  102,780
  • Fourth largest on-campus facility in the United States
  • Largest crowd:  110,045 for the 2016 Michigan game
  • Over 36 million fans have entered the stadium since 1922
Ohio State has captured many national football championships as evidenced by these banners. An additional one has been added for 2014.

Monday Memories: Buckeye Football Fans

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Here is another installment of Monday Memories.  This poem was first published back in October during the middle of the college football season.   He enjoys following and cheering for his two favorite college football teams

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Filling the huge Horseshoe in their scarlet and gray

Cheering on their beloved Buckeyes each Saturday

 

Watching mascot Brutus fire up the thousands of fans

Experiencing tailgate parties from the back of a van

 

Sitting elbow to elbow in the bleacher seats

Seeing that the Buckeyes are hard to beat

 

Experiencing another remarkable Michigan victory

Wondering what Coach Woody would want to see

 

Go Buckeyes Go!

Conquer another foe!

Special Note:  The reference to Coach Woody honors the greatest of all Buckeyes’ football coaches, Woody Hayes.  He coached the Buckeyes from 1950-1978.  His teams won five national championships and 13 Big Ten conference titles.

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Another college football season is upon us.  Now you know where my football allegiance stands:  Montana State Bobcats and Ohio State Buckeyes.  I need to hurry along now to stay ahead of rivals Montana Grizzlies and Michigan Wolverines.

The Big Game

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Ohio State football fans come dressed in Scarlet and Gray

Hoping their beloved Buckeyes will be victorious this day

Michigan fans arrive ready to go in their Maize and Blue

Following their Wolverines with an intense spirit so true

The Big Game has arrived on a cloudy, damp afternoon

Realizing that the winning team will play again very soon

The Big Ten Championship (oh yes!) is once again on the line

Cheering fans from both sides will watch for another time

The game is televised across the nation for all to see

Playing in historic Ohio Stadium—no calmness will be

Both teams are ranked in the top ten across the land

Packing the Horseshoe with Scarlet and Gray is the plan

Coach Meyer and Coach Harbaugh have their teams ready

Remembering legends Woody and Bo will keep them steady

Ohio State scores first with an impeccable scoring drive

Keeping the Buckeyes fans fired up and very much alive

Michigan settles for a pair of field goals as its offense stalls

Bending, but not breaking—the Buckeyes defense stands tall

Early mistakes and penalties plague each team

Trying hard, but not yet settled down it seems

The Scarlet and Gray rally to score twice again through the air

Feeling momentum building, these touchdowns make a great pair

The Maize and Blue respond with a touchdown of their own

Quieting the Buckeyes fans, but no one feels ready to go home

The kick-off is recovered by Michigan—“Shocking, it can’t be!”

Sputtering Buckeyes fans watch in horror, not wanting to see

The game score stands close at 24-19 at halftime

Calling all fans to witness this amazing battle so fine

The Buckeyes offensive line performs its job flawlessly

Allowing quarterback Haskins the time to pass endlessly

The ancient Horseshoe gathers up its ghosts from the past

Finding for the Buckeyes, big plays that will create a blast

The Scarlet and Gray erupts with a climatic, thunderous roar

Watching a blocked punt lead to another Buckeyes score

The overflowing stadium rocks with all of the stops pulled out

Intercepting a Wolverines pass brings another gigantic shout

The Buckeyes have taken over the game for sure

Maintaining their advantage for a victory so pure

Ohio State’s high-octane offense has answered the call

Making Michigan’s top-ranked defense stumble and fall

As the Scarlet and Gray celebrates another awesome game

Flashing from the scoreboard, a score of 62-39 will be framed!

The Big Game finally ends in Ohio State’s favor

Counting seven wins in a row is something to savor

Go Bucks!  You handled that team up North once again!

Check out more about Ohio State Football by going to Buckeye Football Fans.

September 2, 2012 017

Perhaps some of these Buckeyes legends inspired Ohio State to victory.