Last week’s edition of Lies, Legends and Lore brought forth an avalanche of feedback from those eager to know the truth. The foundation of the statue? If you said it was impossible, you would be completely correct. An ingenious prank on the victory bell? Inconceivable, yet completely accurate. Yes, those agricultural engineers can be quite creative when they step away from feeding the cows. The cursed correlation about Tri-Delta and “Saturday Night Live” was as fake as Michael Jackson’s nose. Beware, readers – you will be deceived, you will be entertained and you will be educated. Stop listening to that boring lecturer and sharpen your mind for this week’s edition.
“Fear and Loathing ” – When one hears of Ohio State varsity sports, it usually means the two largest Buckeye sports; football and basketball. There are many athletes competing with the same intensity as our warriors on the gridiron and court. The OSU cross-country team has many that stack up pound per pound with the best in the Big Ten, including Brian Olinger and Dan Glaz. Strangely enough, their rise to the top seems to have appeared overnight. There has been speculation in the running world as to how this duo could go from the laughing stock of the team to highly respected team leaders in such a short time. Some made claims the pair are using a “super supplement,” others claimed superior training and others said they are late bloomers. Legend has it, however, that Glaz and Olinger have quoted their speed not to their strict training regiment but to the hideous look of Coach Rob Gary’s face.
“Bah Bah Black Sheep” – Lord Hall, home to the Department of Anthropology, is one of many unknown buildings at Ohio State. Few who pass by know its name, but we all have queried why this building is built at an abnormal angle. Produced by architect Frank L. Packard in 1904, his plans required the laying of the foundation according to the Ohio State’s grid system. This system was a crazy concoction created by Packard himself, calling for all buildings at OSU to be built 12 degrees skewed from the Columbus building grid system. This system is even in use today. Legend has it Packard was disgruntled with the system, and hoped to show his distaste visually. He drastically exaggerated the angle for Lord Hall, with the mistake overlooked until the foundation was laid. This sophomoric decision could not be changed because of time constraints, leaving it to confuse all future generations and marking it the black sheep of buildings at Ohio State.
“Dot Dot Dot” – Glen Johnson was the first sousaphone player to dot the “I” in “Script Ohio.” The familiar kick, turn and bow by the player at the top of the “I” was first performed at a game in the late 1930’s. Legend has it the turn was unintentional, instead of the perfectly executed drill we see many Saturdays in autumn. It is said the move was a gut reaction committed when the drum major, daydreaming of the warm days on the beach during Spring Break, arrived four measures too soon at the top of the “I.” Johnson watched in horror as he saw this blunder, and in impulse did a big kick, turn and a deep bow to use up the music before the Buckeye Battle Cry. The crowd had assumed the move was simply part of the act, and the stadium roared with appreciation. This accident had proved itself worthy, and become part of the show ever since.
Josh Coyle is a junior in industrial design and can be found every Thursday teasing your taste buds for your insatiable appetite for the truth. The answers lie within at [email protected].
