The celebration to honor the Buckeyes’ 14-0 national championship season, capped off by a 31-24 victory over the Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl, was finalized by the university yesterday afternoon.
A celebration has been planned beginning at 1 p.m. on Jan 18 at Ohio Stadium. The event is free and open to the public.
Elizabeth Conlisk, spokeswoman for Ohio State, said she is aniticipating a good turnout for the event.
“I expect a very large turnout — that’s why we are holding the event in the stadium instead of the Schottenstein Center,” she said. “We wanted every Buckeye fan to have the opportunity to celebrate.”
As far as rumors that a parade was in the works, Conlisk said there would not be a parade and that it was just one of the options being discussed with the city.
“We thought the celebration should be held in the stadium because that’s where it all started,” Conlisk said.
Expected to be in attendance are OSU President Karen A. Holbrook, Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Gov. Bob Taft and of course, the guests of honor — OSU football coach Jim Tressel and the undefeated Buckeye squad.
Todd Lamb, spokesman for the OSU athletic department, said the team’s exact role in the celebration has not been finalized yet, but they will be integral in the celebration.
Mike Brown, spokesman for the mayor, said the city and university worked together to develop the celebration plans.
“The city and the university are interdependent with each other on a number of different issues — what goes on at Ohio State is important to the city,” Brown said.
“The mayor will be expressing his pride on behalf of the city and congratulating the team and university for their accomplishment,” he said.
Athletic director Andy Geiger will be the master of ceremonies, and highlights of Friday’s national championship game will be shown on the stadium’s scoreboard.
Rob Flesch, a senior in English, said he is planning on attending.
“I plan on going because I think it is important to show suppport for the team, support the Buckeyes,” he said. “Even though it is just a sports thing, it is still good for the school because it raises the university’s profile.”
Gates will open at 11 a.m., and concession stands will be open and selling food as well as national championship merchandise.
