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Going To My First Game At The SHOE

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scarletngray

scarletngray

Gold Pants
I've had the opportunity to see tOSU play a couple times out here on the West Coast but I've never had the privilege of watching a game at the 'Shoe. Well, a buddy of mine who is a big Buckeye fan, and also a graduate from the Naval Academy had an extra ticket and offered it to me. Long story short, I'm flying in late Wednesday night of Game week.

What is special about this is that I grew up a Navy brat as my Dad was a Commander in the Navy. So though I'll be rooting for my Bucks to win, it will still be cool to be able to see this historic game and teams in person.

I'm hoping to go on a tour of the stadium Thursday before the game and will be checking out the campus on Friday, as well as the Buckeye Hall of Fame Cafe on Friday afternoon.

My friend is going to be with family and so I don't know that they'll be interested in tailgaiting on Game Day so I'm wondering what's happening on the tailgaiting front. When does it usually start? I wouldn't mind having a couple brews before the game but not really into getting slobbered.

Any help/info would be appreciated....

GO BUCKS!!

:osu:
 
Things to see;
The Buckeye Grove where a tree is planted for every All American
The Oval.
Have a brew at the Varsity club
TBDBITL warm up at St Johns an hour before the game. Be there early to get a seat.
Just wander the lots and enjoy the people, Lots of freebees.
Watch the band enter the Shoe, very thrilling, be right at the rotunda or inside watching them come out.
 
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No tours but on most days the gates are open on the west side under the press box, you can get in that way normally. I like to run the steps so I know the gates are open more often than not, and you can go just about anywhere you want once you're in.
 
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Try to take in all the facilities north of the stadium as well - the WHAC, the Schott, baseball and soccer/track stadiums. Lots of trophies on display in St John as well.


I like to run the steps so I know the gates are open more often than not, and you can go just about anywhere you want once you're in.
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I am in training for a hiking trip in the Pacific NW myself. Not up to all those steps just yet, but I have been riding up and down in the elevator while I jog.
 
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The band will be rehearsing at the practice field south of he stadium Thursday and Friday from 9-12 2-5, so you could likely get into the stadium by using the band center doors near gate 10 and give yourself a private tour, including taking a peak around the band center (if you're curious as to what a $25 million dollar band facility looks like :biggrin:). And if you're truly interested, the band is announced Wednesday night, so you could be one of the first people to see this year's band.
 
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AuburnBuckeye;1519506; said:
Lived in central Ohio my entire life and have never even seen the 'Shoe in person. :sad: (Not by choice, of course.)
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I hope you will get the opportunity to do that soon. It'll be really a great experience for you.

I had the opportunity to go on a road trip with my fiancee who bought me 2 tickets to Ohio State vs Minnesota last year. It was the first game with Terrelle Pryor and Beanie Wells starting together. It was an amazing experience and I'd never forget that day since I've been wanting to do that for a long time.

We drove up on Friday morning (skipping morning classes at Winthrop University) from South Carolina to Columbus. We signed in at Holiday Inn in Columbus and went out to The Varsity Club to eat some good food. Also, we walked around the campus to see everything. It felt so great to see The Shoe in person for the first time.

After the game, we drove back home to South Carolina, getting back around past midnight and got to rest up on Sunday before classes started up again on Monday.

Funny thing is that we didn't even plan for it until 2 days before the game. We were like...why the hell not?! (in a joking way). Now, I'm damn glad that we actually did it.
 
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Silent Nature;1519602; said:
I hope you will get the opportunity to do that soon. It'll be really a great experience for you.

I had the opportunity to go on a road trip with my fiancee who bought me 2 tickets to Ohio State vs Minnesota last year. It was the first game with Terrelle Pryor and Beanie Wells starting together. It was an amazing experience and I'd never forget that day since I've been wanting to do that for a long time.

We drove up on Friday morning (skipping morning classes at Winthrop University) from South Carolina to Columbus. We signed in at Holiday Inn in Columbus and went out to The Varsity Club to eat some good food. Also, we walked around the campus to see everything. It felt so great to see The Shoe in person for the first time.

After the game, we drove back home to South Carolina, getting back around past midnight and got to rest up on Sunday before classes started up again on Monday.

Funny thing is that we didn't even plan for it until 2 days before the game. We were like...why the hell not?! (in a joking way). Now, I'm damn glad that we actually did it.
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Yeah, if I was making the decisions I would show up early so we could see the skull session and ramp entrance. I've always been really intrigued by all the tradition at the 'Shoe.
 
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AuburnBuckeye;1519625; said:
Yeah, if I was making the decisions I would show up early so we could see the skull session and ramp entrance. I've always been really intrigued by all the tradition at the 'Shoe.
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You can always take in the skull session and band entrance and book it to catch the game at someone's place...well worth the trouble if you know know someone near campus
 
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cincibuck;1519631; said:
Welcome to the Big Show. It's got to be as grand a spectacle as you will witness short of the Olympics.
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After being a Buck's fan for 40+ yrs. it's definitely time to see the Big Show. I appreciate all the suggestions...I'm sure I'll have a few more questions as the game approaches.

Go BUCKS!!
:osu:
 
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Someone on another thread asked for a report on my visit to Cbus and so here goes.

Arrived late Wednesday night.

Thursday I had lunch at Eddie Georges Grille 27. The cup of chili was delicious. Then I took a self guided tour of the campus. Went to Mirror Lake and sat on a bench in the shade next to the bubbling fountain and read "War As They Knew It: Woody Hayes, Bo Schembechler, And America In A Time Of Unrest" What a great time! Then I headed to The Oval and on to The Shoe where I was able to walk in and take in the sites. Just hung out for about 30 minutes then on to Buckeye Grove. TBDBITL was practicing next to the grove and so that was a nice surprise. Then home to hang out with my friend and drove by the WHAC, etc. On the way home stopped at "Across The Field" Buckeye store and bought a cushion for the game.

Friday - Brunch with a friend, then The Buckeye Corner store in Polaris. Afterwards off the Columbus Airport to pick up my buddy who got me my ticket. He's a big Buckeye fan and also a graduate of the Naval Academy.
We had lunch at the Buckeye Hall of Fame Cafe.

Saturday - Tailgaiting in the parking lot next to Conrads. Then onto the Game. I was able to see the band and the alumni band march into the stadium as I was lined up outside the stadium as they marched by. Then up to C Deck section 6 seat 17 for the game. Loved how both teams ran onto the field together. Great game. Thought we had it well in hand and then Navy is down by only two points with about 2:30 minutes left in the game. Rolle incepted the pass right in front of us and so that was sweet!!

Overall, a great experience and really enjoyed reconnecting with the guy I stayed with. It had been 20 yrs since we had last seen each other.

GO BUCKS!!

Beat USC!

:osu:
 
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