OSU v. San Diego State

This past Saturday, 9/17, I was able to go with our friend Pat to the Ohio State football game. Pat's an alum and there was this shindig goin' on for the Arts and Sciences folk. I'll talk more about that later.

The game itself wasn't all that exciting. OSU won 27-6 although it would have been worse had the offense shown any signs of life at all. What was interesting though was the show that OSU put on. From the entrance of the band to the forming of the famous "script Ohio" to the singing of the alma mater, Ohio State is expert in the liturgy of football.

The only sour note in the atmosphere surrounding the game was the presence of armed troopers with binoculars relentlessly scanning the audience. It's a sad sign of the times when 105,000 people can't get together without the threat of some looney doing something stupid.

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Before the game, I was introduced to tailgating culture, Ohio State style. As an alum of the Arts & Sciences, Pat got us into the A&S Tailgate. We walked from our parked car past hundreds of smaller gatherings. Folks erected small canopies, had grills going to cook their ribs, generators puttered producing electricity for the stereos and TV's broadcasting pre-game reports and playing college band music. We walked on and on until we came to the famed Oval. There, the A&S faculty had raised three giant tents under which stood a humungus spread of brats, hamburgers, potato salad, and all the trimmings; tables for eating; and a series of 8 or 9 tables laden with items available in a silent auction. Faculty members circulated with drinks and accepted tips for their individual colleges. Half-way through the festivities, 2-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin made an appearance, stumping for the university and encouraging folks to stay connected to their alma mater.

In addition to the food and auction, various entertainments made their way through the site. Alumni band members regaled us with renditions of the alma mater, fight song, and "Hang on Sloopy." Soon, a chorus of men came through singing the same songs. Then, of course, the cheerleaders and Brutus the Buckeye made an appearance. The groups stopped for pictures and songs and cheers, and then made their way on to other groups throughout the campus.