For years through the 50s and 60s the team was known simply as Ohio State. Many folks in those days used to pronounce it, sloppily, as Uh-Hi-Uh State. Some Buckeye football players were among the 'offenders'.
I believe that as media-consciousness emerged in the late 70s, early 80s, the Administration requested that the players refer to their alma mater as 'The Ohio State University' during media interviews. It was a
PR move suggested by the school. From a
PR perspective, this terminology sounds a little more erudite and counteracts the 'Football Factory' image that has plagued tOSU in some quarters.
Several important players like Keith Byars and Chris Carter adopted it because it differentiated their school from others on national TV introductions. It became a badge of honor and distinction for former Buckeyes and has stuck ever since.
As someone who lives outside the central Ohio media market, I think it's been a smart decision. It shows that the ex-players respect and revere their alma mater without coming across as obnoxiously cocky (as when the scUM South players refer to 'The U' or the dyslexic University of Oklahoma players call their school 'OU').
Linear Mode
