Once a fan, always a fan!

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 is a big day in Columbus, Ohio. This my friends marks the day of the beginning of Ohio State Football Season. If you're with the majority of the Ohioans out there, you're probably as expected as me to get this football season off and running full speed ahead. There are so many reason as to why I love this time of year! We'll get to why I love this great city, school and team in a second.

For a minute though, I need to get something off my chest about this time of year.

I would say that probably 75% of the state of Ohio looks forward to the football season beginning. There is a small percentage of folks who were born and raised who do not believe the hype. That is certainly their choice and I absolutely respect their decision to go against the norm and not spend their Fall Saturday's in front of the tv or sitting in a crowd of fans, cheering on the Scarlet and Gray. However, it is those people who lack respect for those fans who enjoy the next few months. While on Facebook today, I encountered various individuals who were annoyed with the excitement of Buckeye Fans and were very vocal about it. I am always a person to believe that everyone is entitled to their opinion. Whether we agree or disagree, that's life. Life wouldn't be what it is today if everyone just agreed with each other all the time.

One of the questions asked and the one that truly bothered me: If you didn't go to Ohio State or graduate from there, how can you be a true fan?

*When a person is brought up to cheer on the Buckeyes whether a graduate or not, it is the Ohio society who forms these fans. I don't necessarily think that this is a bad thing. It's about the excitement. The traditions. The community coming together to enjoy something that they all love.

*I didn't graduate from Washington State University like majority of my relatives, however I still cheer on the WSU Cougars (when their record isn't embarrassing!) when they play. Because I attended college in Ohio, does that mean it is not acceptable for me to like to the Cougars because I didn't go there? It's family tradition. It's what I grew up with. It's what I know. Same goes for those who may not have attended Ohio State. Optimum word here is: tradition.

*Professional sporting teams: how does one become a fan with the thinking of "if you didn't go there..."? I live in Columbus which does not have ANY major league football, baseball or basketball teams. Therefore, us Central Ohioans have to cling to either Cincinnati or Cleveland. Or, myself being a transplant from the Pacific Northwest, I typically cling to the Seattle teams. Does it not make me a true fan because I do not actually live IN Seattle right now at this very minute?

If you don't like Ohio State Football, and the things that go with it and the statuses that are posted, I ask that you please remember all of the fans who do get excited for this time of year. Where I may not care about the concert you countdown in your status for 25 days until you see your favorite band and I likely find it annoying, I would never bash you for your excitement. It's what you love. It's what you look forward to. It's life. Let's have a little respect, shall we? Additionally, I'm just going on a limb here but if you're living in Ohio you know probably that the game was approaching. It's to be expected that the flooding of statuses was going to happen.......

I'm proud to say that I am a graduate from Ohio State, and as much as I hated school and all the work that went along with it, I loved my time at the Columbus based campus every day of my life! Whether it was running from University Hall in the pouring down hot rain to my car all the way at Ohio Stadium, or skipping class and sitting on the top floor of the library watching the snow fall outside the windows, I wouldn't have traded it for the world.

As I sit here and watching the game come to an end, and my Buckeyes take a proud victory over Marshall (45-7) - I want to take a moment to tell you my favorite things about my favorite College Football Team.

*Campus is absolutely filled with people on home game days! From the Oval to the Hospital parking lots, every inch of the school can be filled with fans wearing their Scarlet and Gray.
*Every year during "Beat Michigan Week" campus is oozing with parties and festivities. One of my favorite, yet most ridiculous, things students do are the midnight jump in Mirror Lake. Swimming with the duck poop and bugs in the freezing November evening weather is something to be desired for everyone who attends the school or atleast a party during Michigan Week!


*The excitement of Coach Tressel and the players following his lead running out into the field gives me chills every time I see it! Everytime I watch it is like the first time I've seen it over and over again. I cannot even imagine how pumped the team is! I am pumped just being a spectator, I cannot imagine actually being a part of it! (Besides, who doesn't love Jim Tressel in a sweatervest?! Come on!)

*The singing of Carmen Ohio, and everyone in the stands and the players on the field doing the hand motions of O-H-I-O! I don't know if it makes me crazy, but it kind of makes me tear up everytime I see it. (Told you, I am a fan... I can't help it!)


*Just go to a game at Ohio Stadium once, and I am certain that you'll want to go back! This bad boy is so filled with scarlet and gray (possibly with a few visitors amongst the crowd), and it amazes me every single time I go or watch it from my living room or bar. I remember the days of parking in the parking lot right next to the Stadium and walking by the main entrance everyday.


*Lastly, Script Ohio. There is a reason it was voted the #1 College Football Tradition. It's because it is amazing and wonderful! As a former member of my high school marching band, it gives me goosebumps and chills! I love watching it, as well as all of the other Buckeye Fans out there. We're all proud not only our football team, but The Best Damn Band in the Land as well!

Now, you'll have to excuse me as I go do some online shopping for some new Ohio State apparel and a new part of red and silver Nikes to live up to my shoe shopping addiction to sport around for this years Football Season.

I leave you with:

O-H