The biggest competition for the Buckeyes on fall game days: the spotlight-stealing tradition of the Best Damn Band in the Land, a tradition that predates any Ohio State gridiron glory by 12 years. The all-brass and percussion band of 225 more than lives up to their moniker with performances that consistently make headlines beyond “The ‘Shoe,” like their Michael Jackson tribute and Wizard of Oz spectacle. But nothing compares to their iconic “Script Ohio.”
Debuting under band director Eugene Wiegel in 1936, “Script Ohio” has been the cornerstone of Saturday Buckeye tradition, with the dotting of the “i” an all-time honor for sousaphone players. That is, when celebrities with rich Buckeye roots haven’t filled the honor, namely the Golden Bear Jack Nicklaus, Heavyweight Champion of the World Buster Douglas, astronaut extraordinaire John Glenn and legendary coach Woody Hayes. Pay homage to Ohio State’s in-sync tradition of high knees.