thoughts on Ohio State

[It's the Journey...]

I to am an OSU fan, when they are not playing BG. I am first and foremost at BG fan. I grew up due east of Columbus on I-70, and only being about 70 miles away got a lot of central Ohio news. My first college football game was OSU/Michigan one of the few years John Cooper managed to coach OSU to a victory. My Boy Scout troop helped usher the game and I had the time of my life. I have always hated "that team to the north." I don't care if it is Cambridge, Toledo, or Michigan; they can all fall off the face of the earth and I would not care at all. I applied to OSU, aduitioned for the school of music, and was seriously considering going with about 4 of my high school friends. I applied and auditioned at BG as well. While I was accepted into the University the same cannot be said for the college of musical arts. While here I sat in on a Men's Chorus rehersal and I was hooked on BG. I continue to root for OSU, but BG is always first in my mind and heart. My first year I marched in the FMB and met people like NWLB who showed me the tradition BG has. All of those things helped hook me on BGSU. It's passing down those traditions that I think we do a terrible job of. If we can emerse the freshmen in the tradition as soon as they get here in the fall we will begin to break this cycle of fans who root for other schools over BG. That means teaching them the words to the fight song and alma mater, not just ay-ziggy-zoomba. That means letting them know how successful our teams have been and will continue to be. That means getting them more involved even if coaches have to go to every floor meeting on campus. The little things like that will begin to pay off in a big way, but they have to be done first. That is why I believe BG continues to struggle in attendance. And we will keep struggeling until we do something about it. Why do so many people who are not associated with OSU support them? Because the don't know any better. We need to show them there are other options. Maybe their children will decide BG is their favorite team.

[pottereed]

When an Ohio State player breaks wind, it's the top story on the news and sports everywhere in Ohio. Living in southeastern Ohio (I'm a hillbilly, as someone pointed out), I'm lucky if I hear ANY coverage of Bowling Green. And it's not just Bowling Green that gets ignored. It's Ohio University, Kent, Akron, Toledo, Miami and Cincinnati (to some degree). All of these schools are ignored 30 miles away from the respective school. Ohio State is covered from corner to corner in the state. A lame OSU story will always get coverage before a legitimate MAC story. Every time. I'd be willing to bet that a large percentage of OSU fans think the MAC is Division 1-AA. And these MAC schools are in their own backyards! It's a travesty!

[Tricky_Falcon]

Every time. I'd be willing to bet that a large percentage of OSU fans think the MAC is Division 1-AA. And these MAC schools are in their own backyards! It's a travesty!

They also believe it's an honor and a privilege to be playing at their stadium.

[It's the Journey...]

I complained to the sports department at the Daily Jeffersonian in Cambridge and now there are stories on OU especially and sometimes Kent as well. The newspaper media is giving its readers what it thinks they want to read. Get with the local alumni chapter, write some letters, and let them know otherwise. This has to be a process of "pulling ourselves up by our own boot straps" kind of thing. No one is going to do it for us and thats the way it should be.

[BGFalconfromCincy]

I do hope OSU wins the national championship- it is good for the state of Ohio,

How so?

it would be good for the couch makers in the state

[Rightupinthere]

I'm not sure I "hate" TOAMU. I experience a certain level of discomfort from their fans simply because I "don't care."

Oh, I used to be a fan. I pulled for them in their game against Miami a couple of years back. Why? Because there were some Ohio boys playing on that squad. Simple.

Here is a typical conversation I have with a person about college football:

Other: So, what did you think of the OState game Saturday?

Me: Don't know. Didn't watch it.

Other: They won.

Me: Oh. Good for them.

Other: You're not a fan?

Me: Nope. I don't follow them.

Other: Oh, did you grow up in Ohio?

Me: [annoyed] Of course I did. I went to BGSU. I follow BGSU. I have no need for another.

Other: Oh. Who [sic] do you pull for in 1A?.

Me: [annoyed] I would root for no other.


There is an assumption in the exchange cited above that all citizens of Ohio MUST be an OState fan to some degree or you are not a good citizen. I abhor that premise. I have had this conversation more times than I can count. I was speaking with a UT fan and an A&M fan in Dallas a couple of years ago. They automatically assumed I was a Big Can't Count Conference fan simply because of my mailing address. I proudly told them I was a MAC and CCHA fan only.*

I will go further. Ohio has some of the finest hospitals, orchestras, museums, and institutes of higher learning in the world. However, in most people's minds in this state, the only thing which matters - in order to "make our state better" - is if the Conkers** win on Saturday. That, my friends, is lunacy.


*Funny story is that one of those individuals started betting on the Falcons in 2003. He did pretty well.

**Thanks Zom!

[bgsuman]

I do hope OSU wins the national championship- it is good for the state of Ohio,

How so?

vaulted Merchandise sales? just a thought..

[h2oville rocket]

Attended the Pitt debacle last week and noticed one couple from the Alumni bus trip with their UT alumni stickers plastered on their matching osu gear. Not a bad idea that-once they ripped off the sticker they could slink out unnoticed, but it still sucked. I grew up in Allen County and never paid any attention to anyone but UT-took lots of grief (cue sarcastic responses) for not being an osu fan. Like RIUT I just don't care that much-like to see them beat Michigan, like to see MSU and Penn beat them since my dad and brother attended those schools. They're just another school in the mix.

[BGFalconfromCincy]

Other: Oh, did you grow up in Ohio?


There is an assumption in the exchange cited above that all citizens of Ohio MUST be an OState fan to some degree or you are not a good citizen.!

I agree, thats the one I hate the most

[Falconfliccbone]

Other: Oh, did you grow up in Ohio?


There is an assumption in the exchange sited above that all citizens of Ohio MUST be an OState fan to some degree or you are not a good citizen.!

I agree, thats the one I hate the most

Yep. I was born in Texas, but raised in Ohio since I was 3 1/2. People were appalled to find out that I was not an OSU fan. Why should I be? I wasn't born here (which does not mean that all babies born in Ohio are Ohio fans, but most people assume that). My parents did not go to school there...no one in my family has for that fact. OSU was shoved in my face, so to resist those people, I cheered for Michigan (it helped that our school colors were blue and white, which I like, so I liked the blue from Michigan). I really do not like Michigan....I LOVE Bowling Green, so that is all I need.

When I was applying for schools, OSU never even crossed my mind. The main reason was their marching band. I play flute, and OSU feels the need to discriminate against woodwinds, which leads to the terrible sound (in my opinion...I know no one else agrees) of their band. In addition, I hate that they call themselves the best d*@# band in the land because a) I don't agree with it, and b) I think it sounds terrible when second-graders are refering to their band with that name (I'm not against cussing, I just don't think it's appropriate). And who said they were the best in the land?

Another issue with OSU...how they always refer to themselves as THE Ohio State Univeristy. Guess what? Bowling Green is AN Ohio State university (meaning that it is a state univeristy of Ohio...not that we want to be OSU...I would die first) so la-di-freakin'-da to that.

GO FALCONS!! BEAT THE BUCKEYES!!

[Strouse]

Living in southeastern Ohio (I'm a hillbilly, as someone pointed out)

Don't worry, according to some students from a certain school up north, BGSU is in a hick town out in the boondocks, even though we are only 20 miles south of them.