crzykillernut
What is a Buckeye?
Thought I'd share this information with you all. I know its pretty far after the fact (happened last November) but it will happen annually, so you can look out for it next season, plus it’s something to fill these long days in-between-seasons with. It was the start of a new OSU/UM Rivalry tradition and hopefully raises many beneficial dollars for Cancer Research in the years to come. First a little bit of history and then I'll get to the pertinent part concerning the new Football Tradition!
The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) has a rich history at The Ohio State University. Being founded as the first fraternity and student organization on campus in 1878, six of the first eight graduates were Fiji's. The men of Fiji were instrumental in the creation of the school year book the Makio, in changing the school colors from orange and black to scarlet and gray, and many other contributions along the way.
Throughout Phi Gamma Delta's time at Ohio State is has produced two Army generals (Clovis E. Byers and Robert L. Eichelberger), two Rhoades Scholars (Shirley T. Wing in 1906 and Ferdinand F. Stone in 1930), an Ohio State Dean of Men (Mylin H. Ross), a university president (William S. Livingston), the University's first famous drum major (Tubby Essington), OSU's first football All-American (Thomas Matte), The Man responsible for Ohio Stadium and one of OSU's Greatest Ever (Chick Harley) and the greatest professional golfer of all time (Jack Nicklaus). Seven buildings on campus are also named after members of Phi Gamma Delta, including Arps Hall, Baker Hall, the French Field House, Nosker House, and the Michael E. Moritz College of Law.
Now Phi Gamma Delta is responsible for bringing a new tradition to Ohio State Football. Teaming up with the Michigan Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta, November 2004 saw the realization of the "OSU/UM Rivalry Run Against Cancer." The men of both chapters raised money from sponsors for this run. On Friday night, before the game, the men of the Michigan Chapter ran an actual OSU Game Ball from the Big House in Ann Arbor, into the state of Ohio. The Ohio Fijis met them around Bowling Green and the ball was handed off, with the OSU men running the ball back to Columbus. Each member ran the ball around two miles, doing his share to carry the ball on this 186 mile trek.
The ball made its way - on foot - all the way from the Big House to the Horse Shoe in time for the game. Over 20,000 dollars was raised and donated to the American Cancer Society. The video-screen at the game played a short blurb about the run before kickoff. Unfortunately, due to the event being planned in the beginning of Autumn, we were not able to actually run the ball onto the field this year, but will be able to this season at Ann Arbor, and next season at the Horse Shoe.
Both Universities have given their support to this new tradition, and all groups are dedicated to making sure that this Football Run continues far into the future of this great rivalry. Next year, as we run the game ball from the Horse Shoe to the Big House, we hope to have extensive television and media coverage, so hopefully everyone will have a chance to read up on what's happening. Unfortunately, this being the inaugural year and with our short-planning period those were luxuries we didn't have time to set up for this past run.
We ran in teams of four, with one man running and the other three following close behind in a car. The next team in progression would be waiting eight miles away to take their turn at running the ball. For this upcoming season, I believe we are going to charter a bus and have it go all the way between the two stadiums, this will be especially helpful for those of us from OSU who will be purchasing a student ticket to the scUM game.
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[font="]I’ve included some pictures from the ‘handoff’ periods. Anyways, hopefully everyone will get a chance to hear about this great event next year. I will make sure to post something next November as to what channels we will be covered on, etc. GO BUCKS!
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The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) has a rich history at The Ohio State University. Being founded as the first fraternity and student organization on campus in 1878, six of the first eight graduates were Fiji's. The men of Fiji were instrumental in the creation of the school year book the Makio, in changing the school colors from orange and black to scarlet and gray, and many other contributions along the way.
Throughout Phi Gamma Delta's time at Ohio State is has produced two Army generals (Clovis E. Byers and Robert L. Eichelberger), two Rhoades Scholars (Shirley T. Wing in 1906 and Ferdinand F. Stone in 1930), an Ohio State Dean of Men (Mylin H. Ross), a university president (William S. Livingston), the University's first famous drum major (Tubby Essington), OSU's first football All-American (Thomas Matte), The Man responsible for Ohio Stadium and one of OSU's Greatest Ever (Chick Harley) and the greatest professional golfer of all time (Jack Nicklaus). Seven buildings on campus are also named after members of Phi Gamma Delta, including Arps Hall, Baker Hall, the French Field House, Nosker House, and the Michael E. Moritz College of Law.
Now Phi Gamma Delta is responsible for bringing a new tradition to Ohio State Football. Teaming up with the Michigan Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta, November 2004 saw the realization of the "OSU/UM Rivalry Run Against Cancer." The men of both chapters raised money from sponsors for this run. On Friday night, before the game, the men of the Michigan Chapter ran an actual OSU Game Ball from the Big House in Ann Arbor, into the state of Ohio. The Ohio Fijis met them around Bowling Green and the ball was handed off, with the OSU men running the ball back to Columbus. Each member ran the ball around two miles, doing his share to carry the ball on this 186 mile trek.
The ball made its way - on foot - all the way from the Big House to the Horse Shoe in time for the game. Over 20,000 dollars was raised and donated to the American Cancer Society. The video-screen at the game played a short blurb about the run before kickoff. Unfortunately, due to the event being planned in the beginning of Autumn, we were not able to actually run the ball onto the field this year, but will be able to this season at Ann Arbor, and next season at the Horse Shoe.
Both Universities have given their support to this new tradition, and all groups are dedicated to making sure that this Football Run continues far into the future of this great rivalry. Next year, as we run the game ball from the Horse Shoe to the Big House, we hope to have extensive television and media coverage, so hopefully everyone will have a chance to read up on what's happening. Unfortunately, this being the inaugural year and with our short-planning period those were luxuries we didn't have time to set up for this past run.
We ran in teams of four, with one man running and the other three following close behind in a car. The next team in progression would be waiting eight miles away to take their turn at running the ball. For this upcoming season, I believe we are going to charter a bus and have it go all the way between the two stadiums, this will be especially helpful for those of us from OSU who will be purchasing a student ticket to the scUM game.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->
[font="]I’ve included some pictures from the ‘handoff’ periods. Anyways, hopefully everyone will get a chance to hear about this great event next year. I will make sure to post something next November as to what channels we will be covered on, etc. GO BUCKS!
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