January 21, 2003 – The Buckeyes’ road to victory was given a name Jan. 21 — Champions Lane.
Signs on the corner of Lane Avenue and High Street will identify the section as Champions Lane, Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman told 52,000 Buckeye fans as they braved a wind chill of minus three to celebrate the Ohio State’s football team’s national championship win.
“It’s a symbolic, celebratory thing,” said Mike Brown, spokesman for Coleman. “I haven’t heard how long we’ll keep it up, but we’ll keep it up for a while.”
The corner was chosen because it represents the border of campus and is highly visible to visitors, Brown said.
Coleman and Gov. Bob Taft also issued proclamations to OSU President Karen Holbrook and the university declaring Jan. 21 Ohio State Buckeye Champions Day throughout the state of Ohio.
“These Ohio State Buckeyes are like the city of Columbus — they have character, class and are a team of destiny,” Coleman said.
Taft said he had faith in OSU football coach Jim Tressel and the team — he was confident enough to wager on a win with Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Bush had to wear an OSU jersey at February’s governors convention in Washington, D.C., as a result of losing the bet.
Holbrook expressed her pride in the football team.
“They win with character and undying effort. They proved our critics wrong all year long,” Holbrook said. “They know how to win as a team.”
Senior and captain Donnie Nickey said he appreciated the fan support.
“Not a lot of people gave us a chance out in Arizona, but everyone here believed in us, and we got the job done,” Nickey said.
Two-time Heisman trophy winner Archie Griffin introduced the 2002 National Coach of the Year — Tressel.
“We couldn’t have done it without each and every person. Whether it was an equipment manager, a trainer, a doctor, an administrator, a first-stringer, a coach, a coach’s family member, fans, prayer warriors, we couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you,” Tressel said.
He said the group he most wanted to honor were those who led the charge: the seniors. He introduced all the senior players and managers except for Matt Wilhelm and Kenny Peterson, who were playing in the Senior Bowl in Alabama.
USG President Eddie Pauline sold OSU championship merchandise at the rally to help raise money for Children’s Hospital through Buckeyethon.
“I thought it was great. It’s nice to see the tremendous fan support, especially in the kind of weather it was today,” Pauline said. “It was nice that everything came together as it did.”
Fans traveled from all areas of Ohio and the nation to be at the celebration. Chuck Ream made the journey from Omaha, Neb.
“It was a special moment. It gave a chance to the people to show the team how much they appreciate it,” Ream said. “The fans love their Buckeyes.”
The celebration concluded with a video highlight reel of the season followed by a marching band performance of “Script Ohio.” The performance was capped off by the senior football players dotting the “i.”
