DEBuckeye
It ain't easy, bein' cheesy.
I've got a friend who always gives me shit about Ohio State football and my undying love of the Buckeyes. He makes fun of my emotional investment in OSU, how I wear my Buckeye gear to support the team, and my pride in The Ohio State University. This morning, after reminding him of his prediction that ND was going to "whip the Buckeyes", 
he started in again, asking what the big deal is. Although he'll obviously never get it, I responded to him with this:
-I spent four and a half years of my life at Ohio State- probably some of my best.
-I walked the beautiful campus every day.
-I forged friendships, some of which will last a lifetime.
-I learned and studied in the classrooms of historical University halls.
-I learned about the rich tradition and history of Ohio State, both on and off the football field.
-I went to every home football game (and some road games) while I was there- in the sun, the rain, the snow, and the cold.
-I still go to Buckeye games whenever I can- in the sun, the rain, the snow, and the cold.
-I’ve bargained with scalpers, searching for tickets to get in and see my Buckeyes. I’ve paid over $100 to do it on several occasions.
-I sat in Ohio Stadium, “The Horseshoe”, where millions of Buckeye fans have cheered for over 80 years. Where Woody Hayes walked the sidelines, where greats like Griffin, Cassady, Harley, George, Kern, Spielman, Tatum, and many others gave 100% for Ohio State.
-I wore the same Ohio State sweatshirt and block “O” hat to every game. Superstitious? Yes. Does it help? Of course- ask any Buckeye fan.
-I nurtured a streak of attending 15 OSU/Michigan games in a row.
-When the Buckeyes went to Arizona and won their first National Championship in 34 years, I followed them and cheered them on. I cried tears of joy.
-I’ve cheered for The Best Damn Band in the Land- with a yell when they played “Across the Field”, and tears in my eyes when they played “Carmen Ohio”.
-I listened to the stadium bell ring after victories as I walked across campus to celebrate.
-I also listened to the silence when it didn’t ring after a loss. And I went back to The ‘Shoe with renewed hope and solid support the following week.
-I walked through Buckeye Grove.
-I picked buckeyes up off the ground and used them to make necklaces, or just to keep in my pocket- as I still do now.
-I see a flash of Scarlet and Gray clothing and turn to see if it’s a fellow Buckeye fan.
-I say “Go Bucks” when I see fellow Buckeyes out in public (and respond if they see me first)- in airports, malls, or walking on the street.
-I’ve lived, laughed, ate, slept, loved, cheered, and cried Ohio State.
-Ohio State is a part of who I am.
-I bleed Scarlet and Gray.
-I am a Buckeye.
he started in again, asking what the big deal is. Although he'll obviously never get it, I responded to him with this:-I spent four and a half years of my life at Ohio State- probably some of my best.
-I walked the beautiful campus every day.
-I forged friendships, some of which will last a lifetime.
-I learned and studied in the classrooms of historical University halls.
-I learned about the rich tradition and history of Ohio State, both on and off the football field.
-I went to every home football game (and some road games) while I was there- in the sun, the rain, the snow, and the cold.
-I still go to Buckeye games whenever I can- in the sun, the rain, the snow, and the cold.
-I’ve bargained with scalpers, searching for tickets to get in and see my Buckeyes. I’ve paid over $100 to do it on several occasions.
-I sat in Ohio Stadium, “The Horseshoe”, where millions of Buckeye fans have cheered for over 80 years. Where Woody Hayes walked the sidelines, where greats like Griffin, Cassady, Harley, George, Kern, Spielman, Tatum, and many others gave 100% for Ohio State.
-I wore the same Ohio State sweatshirt and block “O” hat to every game. Superstitious? Yes. Does it help? Of course- ask any Buckeye fan.
-I nurtured a streak of attending 15 OSU/Michigan games in a row.
-When the Buckeyes went to Arizona and won their first National Championship in 34 years, I followed them and cheered them on. I cried tears of joy.
-I’ve cheered for The Best Damn Band in the Land- with a yell when they played “Across the Field”, and tears in my eyes when they played “Carmen Ohio”.
-I listened to the stadium bell ring after victories as I walked across campus to celebrate.
-I also listened to the silence when it didn’t ring after a loss. And I went back to The ‘Shoe with renewed hope and solid support the following week.
-I walked through Buckeye Grove.
-I picked buckeyes up off the ground and used them to make necklaces, or just to keep in my pocket- as I still do now.
-I see a flash of Scarlet and Gray clothing and turn to see if it’s a fellow Buckeye fan.
-I say “Go Bucks” when I see fellow Buckeyes out in public (and respond if they see me first)- in airports, malls, or walking on the street.
-I’ve lived, laughed, ate, slept, loved, cheered, and cried Ohio State.
-Ohio State is a part of who I am.
-I bleed Scarlet and Gray.
-I am a Buckeye.
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