Script Ohio - Dave's Midwestern Ohio Memories

Series of Guest Blogs by an out-of-state Fish Report reader originally from this area about fond memories of growing up in Midwestern Ohio during the 50’s & 60’s

Script Ohio

Remarkably, the very first "Script Ohio" was performed by its biggest rival, when in 1932, the visiting University of Michigan band formed a crude version by today’s standards of the famous halftime show, according to Ohio State University library archives. The upside down photo shown below is the only known documentation of the performance. Michigan went on to win the game, highlighting an undefeated season and a national championship.

Four years later in 1936, the Script Ohio tradition began when OSU hosted Michigan on October 24. Since then, the formation has been a favorite half-time moment for game fans. Script Ohio has been an Ohio State University tradition for 85 years and has evolved to include a revolving block “O” at the beginning, the curved formation of the word “Ohio,” and the “dotting of the i ” by the sousaphone player (not Brutus Buckeye).

According to the OSU Marching Band’s history, the band director in 1936, Eugene Weigel said “Searching for ideas, I remembered the rotating sign around the Times Square Building in New York City, during my student days at Columbus, and also the sky-writing advertisements at state fair time…” BS, as Weigel was present in 1932 when the University of Michigan Marching Band took the field at Ohio Stadium. According to the student newspaper, The Michigan Daily: “Probably the most effective single formation was the word ‘OHIO’ spelled out in script diagonally across the field in the double-deck Ohio stadium to the accompaniment of the O.S.U. marching song, ‘Fight the Team.’ Other Michigan band formations were ‘MICH,’ a block ‘O,’ and a block ‘M.’”

Ted Boehm, OSU Marching Band member in 1935 and 1936, and considered an “authority” on Script Ohio, wrote that indeed, Michigan had performed the first Ohio in script. The University of Illinois’ marching band also performed a script Ohio at the OSU game in 1936, after the OSU band had already done one, with a number of musicians dotting the “i.” But are the scripts equivalent to the OSU Script Ohio? Boehm wrote:

“We submit that the script aspect is only one part of the overall event that is signified by the name. Of course, the script is the one essential element, but there is more; all of the parts have merged, starting with the triple revolving block O as the lead off formation, the peel-off into the script movement, the interlaced shoestring movement, the pervasive driving beat of the venerable Le Regiment de Sambre et Meuse, the dotted “i” and the concluding vocal chorus. But most powerful of all are the emotional overtones from thousands of proud participants and an ocean of caught-up observers, sharing a common nostalgic experience which has lasted more than forty years.”

So which marching band performed a script Ohio first? Michigan. Which marching band created “Script Ohio”? Ohio State.

Now I’ve got a hunch there might be some shenanigans going on between the bands on Saturday, as each band have been trolling the other the last several weeks at their respective half time show. Click this link for OSU and here for Michigan! Also, check out this video of an OSU fan who spells out Script Ohio in his neighbors yard, a Michigan grad!

The formation has also been replicated on the hockey arena and basketball floor; however the Script Ohio will likely have to be dramatically changed, since current students were not taught cursive in grade school.! The band will have to perform an “unscripted” version!

Regardless, Saturday’s game will be another big one for both teams, Just hoping for no repeat of the infamous 1950 snow bowl:

1950 Snow Bowl photos:

Happy Thanksgiving, Fish Report readers.

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