40 2018 Ohio State Football

There’s the TEAM WALK from the Blackwell Hotel to Ohio Stadium, amidst a sea of scarlet and gray clad fans. Along the way, the Buckeyes stop at St. John Arena, receiving a rousing welcome from the Ohio State Marching Band and a standing room-only crowd of more than 10,000 at Skull Session.

Once the team takes the field and the opening kickoff sails through the air, the excitement only intensifies as the fans cheer the Buckeyes on to yet another thrilling victory. When the game ends, the coaches and players gather in front of the south stands where the band plays CARMEN OHIO, the school’s alma mater, and the players, coaches and fans sing along.

As the game nears, the Buckeye faithful pour through the Ohio Stadium portals in anticipation of the Band’s traditional ramp entrance and the ever-popular SCRIPT OHIO.

Gameday at Ohio State is a UNIQUE EXPERIENCE, both for the players and the many fans that converge on Columbus to see their Buckeyes play.

OHIOSTATEGAMEDAY

41

BEST TRADITIONSSports Illustrated Vault, Aug. 22, 2011

#1 SCRIPT OHIO

“To the untrained eye high above the field, it might appear at first that the members of the Ohio State University Marching Band are imitating a snake. In fact, they are executing a highly-choreographed, 75-year-old tradition that brings chills to the fans—and the fans to a roar—at every Buckeyes home game.”

CARMEN OHIOOh! 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 showHow firm thy friendship O-hi-o.

ACROSS THE FIELDFight the team across the field,show them Ohio’s hereSet the earth reverberatingwith 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.

BUCKEYE BATTLE CRYIn old Ohio there’s a teamthat’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 againThe 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 defendWe will fight to the end for O-hi-o.

Ohio State proudly boasts an alma mater (Carmen Ohio), two fight songs (Across the Field and Buckeye Battle Cry) and a state rock song (Hang on Sloopy). Across the Field was ranked in the Top 10 for most inspiring fight songs in the country in a list compiled in 1990 by Bill Studwell, a librarian at Northern Illinois University (and fight song expert). The pieces were graded on music quality, lyrics and overall tune.

OHIO STATE GAMEDAY