By Scottie Bricker
Arizona Daily Wildcat
September 22, 1997

On the Road

Robert Henry Becker Arizona Daily Wildcat Wilbur chats with the Ohio State fans sitting on the field, eliciting a friendly banter between the Buckeyes and the few Wildcat fans.

College football fans all over the country sit on the edge of their seats each Saturday from September through November, constantly screaming at their television sets and encouraging their team as if it would sway the outcome of the game. We all have been guilty of scolding our starting quarterback for a fourth quarter interception, or doing our own touchdown dance after a spectacular score to win an important conference game.

Imagine gathering over 90,000 of the these fans in one place to watch their team and setting them loose for four hours. We who coach from the Lazy-Boy get the chills just thinking about it.

And for whatever reason, the Midwest folk, with their old-fashioned values and love of tradition, seem to have gotten the hang of this gathering ritual better than any other group of people I have ever seen.

As we flew into Columbus Saturday afternoon, I really did not know what to expect from this game, other than I hoped I would have something interesting to write about for Monday's paper.

The fans came in great numbers. By car and by van. By truck and by shuttle. Some brought great big motorhomes with the barbecue and beverages all tossed inside. Some even rented a whole bus all for themselves.

All came sporting their brilliant scarlet sweatshirts and T-shirts. That's right, I said sweatshirts. Cold weather is a wonderful addition to a college football game.

Robert Henry Becker Arizona Daily Wildcat Tight end Mike Lucky (88) hugs wide receiver Brad Brennan (13) after a touchdown run, which brought UA to a score of 28-13 in the forth quarter.

They came early, and have been doing so for years, tailgating out front of beautiful Ohio Stadium hours before the game with their grills and kegs and Ohio State footballs.

"These things have been going on for as long as I can remember," said Charles Hall, a resident of Columbus and a die-hard Buckeye fan. "They were here when I came here, and they'll be here when I am gone."

And even if Hall calls it an early night, they will stay long past his departure.

"People will stay as late as 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning," Hall said.

So what is it that keeps them coming back week after week and year after year?

"It is a real community out here," Jerry Pittus said. "No matter what the age, everyone comes out to party for the Buckeyes."

The people in Columbus go for the experience of it all, for the excitement of sharing their love of a team for four hours every Saturday, with tens of thousands of their closest friends.

"When we lose," Pittus said, "everybody parties harder and longer than ever."

By the way, Pittus is in his 70's.

The college football fan club knows no age limit.

Robert Henry Becker Arizona Daily Wildcat Duane Akina, defensive secondary coach, meets with the defensive team after a fumble recovery during the second quarter.

Students have their share of good times as well, joining right in with the alumni and Columbus community in the celebration of Buckeye football.

When the game ends for them, the fun has yet to really begin.

Walking down Lane Ave. Saturday night, I took time to observe the parties. I found one on every block, all within a half mile of the stadium.

Vendors line the sidewalk, cooking up everything from gyros to brats. Combine those odors with the sweet smell of beer and you've got yourself some nice air to breathe.

The Varsity Club blared 80's music from their outdoor patio while everyone sang along to "Come On Eileen." Local radio station WTVN-610AM sponsored a block party with a band playing everything from Elton John to 311. People danced and sang right along with the band, whether they knew the words or not.

And the students were not concerned with anything but being a student body and sticking behind their athletes. Throughout the game, rarely was an expression of displeasure uttered from the 91,152 fans. Even when their beloved Buckeyes turned the ball over for the third time, they all just applauded the effort.

Robert Henry Becker Arizona Daily Wildcat Thirty minutes after the game ends, a boy stands at the 50-yard line to get a different glimpse of the stadium.

As I walked back to the hotel later that night, I overheard one student ask the question we have heard a thousand times in our college lives.

"So, uh, where are we going guys?"

But what came next was the best answer I had ever heard.

"Who cares," his friend said. "We're together and that's all that matters."

I was surprised to hear that there are rarely any fights at the games. "I have seen some pretty drunk people out here," Pittus said. "In all the games I have been to, I have never ever seen a fight break out."

Those experienced, mild-mannered folk really know how to do it right.

Five minutes after talking with Mr. Pittus, I walked by a pair of students, who were arguing over some petty thing that had gone on the night before. One of those lovers' quarrels that we all know and love.

They must have been freshmen. If they were as wise as Mr. Pittus, they would know that they do not allow fighting at Ohio State football games.

And so the partying went on, long into the night, regardless of the game that had ended some five hours before.

It is not all about whether your team wins or loses, but rather, about sharing your Saturdays with thousands of your closest friends, all in one venue.