Brutus Buckeye kicked off his yearlong 50th birthday celebration Thursday in front an enthusiastic crowd of Ohio State students during the Office of Student Life’s Buckeye Kick-off at the Ohio Stadium. OSU’s favorite anthropomorphic nut spent the evening celebrating with old friends, including Athletic Director Gene Smith and players from the national championship-winning football team. He also spent time making new friends while helping introduce freshmen to some of the university’s most cherished traditions. “Welcome to the ‘Shoe,” Smith said to first-year attendees. “This is your new home, right here — seven days a year.” Students also practiced quick counts with the football team, met Student Life Vice President Javaune Adams-Gaston, sang along to “Hang on Sloopy” and “Carmen Ohio,” and watched the marching band spell Script Ohio and play “Across the Field,” in celebration of the song’s 100th anniversary. All the while, Brutus led the spirit charge, giving O-H-I-O tutorials to the freshmen in the crowd, coaching students through field goal and maneuverability challenges, and even busting out a new “swag dance.” Lauren Burns, a member of the OSU dance team and a fourth-year in marketing, said during the event that hanging out with Brutus is always a good time because he keeps the spirit squad laughing during games. “It’s definitely an honor that we get to be with him on his birthday,” she said. “What better way to celebrate than at the Buckeye Bash with all the incoming freshman — they get to celebrate the tradition and something that we hold so close to our heart.” But Brutus, one of the most beloved mascots in college sports, wasn’t universally well-received when he first arrived in the fall of 1965. One letter to the editor from George E. Shute, published in The Lantern on Nov. …
Continue Reading: OH-5-O: Brutus celebrates half a century at Ohio State
