Keeping score is everything in the game of sports.
But now, keeping tally of good sportsmanship by Ohio State students is a new game.
In November 2005, the Ohio State Sportsmanship Council, with the help of other student organizations, worked toward establishing ways for students to promote respectable Buckeye pride.
One way they are attempting to achieve good sportsmanship is through “The Best Fans in the Land” competition.
“Students can go to every single home athletic event, swipe their Buck ID and get points,” said Mike Penner, assistant athletics director.
Each event is worth a predetermined point value ranging from one to five.
“The less attended sports are worth five and the rest are one and three,” said junior Robbie Beaulieu, co-president of the OSU’s Sportsmanship Council.
Synchronized swimming and men’s volleyball are examples of events that are worth five points. Men’s ice hockey is worth three points, whereas football and men’s basketball are only worth one point. The council’s Web site, bestfans.osu.edu, gives a schedule of events and their associated point values.
At the end of each quarter, the person with the most points will receive a prize. These prizes vary, including Raising Cane’s coupons, ipods, TVs and even season tickets.
“Athletics has helped us out a lot with getting prizes and donations,” said junior Katie Kranjy, co-president of the Ohio State Sportsmanship Council.
One of the prizes last quarter was a trip to the BCS Championship game. TJ Schurch and Andy Haley tied for fall quarter.
The council will have a formal announcement of the fall quarter grand prize winners when the men’s basketball team hosts Michigan State University this Saturday at 9 p.m.
Megan Blake can be reached at [email protected].
