Fans from all over will celebrate the 2002 national champion Buckeye football team tomorrow at the Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel, players and coaches will be honored for their national championship victory and undefeated season. Trophies won by the team this season will be presented as well.
OSU President Karen A. Holbrook, Gov. Bob Taft and Mayor Michael B. Coleman will be present at the celebration to honor the team. OSU Athletics Director Andy Geiger will be the event’s master of ceremonies.
The event is free and open to the public. Two special sections have been set aside for students who arrive early.
The possibility of arctic weather doesn’t seem to be hindering the enthusiasm of OSU fans.
“No matter how cold it is, I will be there to celebrate the team because I’m an OSU student and a fan,” said Waqar Baig, a junior in industrial and system engineering.
“We know that there has been a lot of interest in it, and a lot of people who are excited about the national championship want to come in and pay tribute to the Buckeyes,” said OSU spokeswoman Elizabeth Conlisk.
She encouraged people to dress warmly and bring blankets. There will be hot chocolate and a limited food menu.
Before the actual program begins, fans will see highlights of the Buckeyes 31-24 double overtime victory over the Miami Hurricanes on the scoreboard. The OSU marching band will play “Buckeye Battle Cry” and “Script Ohio,” Conlisk said.
Students will sell pennants and pins with the national championship logo at the event. Proceeds will go to Children’s Hospital on behalf of Buckeyethon, a student-run philanthropy event benefiting the Behavioral Health Services Wing at Children’s Hospital.
It is a chance to donate to Children’s Hospital and support Buckeyethon, said Undergraduate Student Government President Eddie Pauline. He also encouraged students to attend the event.
“I hope the majority on campus come out even if it’s cold,” Pauline said.
The gates will open at 11 a.m. and the program will start at 1 p.m. Free parking will be available in any campus parking garage, but guests are encouraged to park in the West Campus lots and use a free shuttle service from the lots to the stadium. The shuttle service begins at 9 a.m.
For those who are hearing-impaired, the university will provide interpreters and closed-captioning on the scoreboard.
