the ohio state university |

The Ohio State Marching Band is called TBDBITL for a reason. Because they are the best damn band in the land. Yesterday I went to the opening of the Buckeye football season. The band is all-brass and percussion, unique among all larger universities.

The band was originally formed to provide music for the cadets to march to. Ohio State had a large military school component.

Competition is Strong
Today, the band consists of 225 instrumentalists. 192 of these create the block band that is seen at every home game. The other 33 members are called alternates. These are members of the band who challenge the regular members every week for a spot in the 192-piece block. So every home game is a chance for the alternates to on the field. This ensures that only the best in the land get to play.

One more reason why, The Ohio State Marching Band the Best Damn Band in the Land.

Ohio State 012, originally uploaded by John Beagle.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a stadium in college football that is as well-recognized simply by its shape. The OSU stadium is laid out in the shape of a horseshoe and has a capacity to seat 89,841 screaming fans. Source: OhioStateTix.com

I sit in row 9 (not bad) near the bottom of the “U” is a good place to watch the Ohio State Buckeyes. This game, against Ohio University, was an “All Ohio College Football Game” one that hadn’t been played since 1999.

A new cheer that involves fan interaction was started this year with Youngstown State. Every time Ohio State gets a first, the scoreboard announcer says, “Gain of (blank) on the play and that’s another Buckeeeeeeeeeye … (crowd response) first down.”

Now its the second game, and I agree with Buckeye Commentary blog poster who says, … for the love of all things Ohio State, stop the call and response first down announcement from the scoreboard. Stop it. Right. Now.

Still, Buckeye games are fun. Tailgating is even funner.

John Beagle

Opening Up for the Buckeyes: The TBDBITL

My Seat at OSU Stadium