Most Ohio State students are nuts about the Buckeyes, but it takes a special person to actually become the nut on gameday.
For OSU fans, Brutus Buckeye represents school spirit and pride, but to the faces behind the mascot, Brutus is much more. With two of the four current Brutus Buckeyes graduating at the end of this year, tryouts will be held to see who will fill all these shoes and become the next Brutus.
Tryouts will be held April 10 and 11 at 6 p.m. in the French Field House. The tryout process includes: an interview by a panel of former Brutus Buckeyes and OSU faculty, performing an original skit to “Hang on Sloopy,” a traditional fight song dance to “Fight the Team” and a situation test on how to react as Brutus in a gameday situation.
“You can’t be shy or have many inhibitions, I think that’s what they saw in me, strong character,” said Jay Umbleby, a graduating Brutus and a senior in marketing.
The last of a series of information sessions and clinics to prepare for tryouts will be held on Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. in the French Field House. Any OSU student on the Columbus campus with a grade point average of 2.0 or above is eligible to try out.
Those who are interested in becoming Brutus will meet with current and graduating Brutus Buckeyes and coach Judy Bunting.
Tyler Fortman, a master’s student in psychology and another graduating Brutus said, “If you are at all interested come and check it out. You can try on the costume and see how it feels. We will help you with the technique of being Brutus and talk about the tryout process.”
Tryouts are open to both male and female students. In fact, there have been three women Brutus Buckeyes in the history of Ohio State since the creation of Brutus in 1965. The most recent, Emily Moor, took on the role of Brutus during the 2001-02 season. Before her, there had not been a female Brutus since 1983.
More than anything, Umbleby hopes that tryouts attract students who really care about Ohio State and care about being Brutus.
“Brutus is expected to represent the university as a symbol of pride and spirit at sporting events, campus events and community events,” Umbleby said.
Because of such a high demand for Brutus appearances the past few years, the role of Brutus was expanded from one person to several.
This year, four students took on the role of Brutus, sophomores Brian Bunting and Andrew Aten and seniors Umbleby and Fortman.
Each Brutus performs at least two times a week at games, university and community events. During football season each Brutus will have up to four or five appearances a week.
Brutus is responsible for attending football, women’s and men’s basketball, men’s ice hockey and women’s volleyball games, but attends many other sporting events each season.
“We’re looking for creativity, enthusiasm, crowd involvement and leadership,” said Bunting, OSU’s cheerleading and mascot coach. “We have high expectations for students who want to become Brutus. It is a very important position to the university and comes with a lot of responsibility.”
Fortman gave this advice: “Be willing to commit yourself because it takes serious time. Be ready for the responsibility of representing this huge and amazing university. Be proud to be a Buckeye.”
There are many perks to being Brutus including being on the field or court at OSU games, running the football team onto the field in front of 105,000 fans, traveling, access to Student-Athlete Support Services Office and priority scheduling.
Umbleby mentions that one of the best perks to being Brutus, besides being on the field or court at the athletic events, is the opportunity to meet and interact with so many people.
“If you really want to see every aspect of Ohio State during your time in college this role is one of few that will allow you to do so,” he said.
