- Error
Was offered a free ticket to the Ohio State football game last night from a good buddy - figured what the hell, I'll go.
As I watched the game I quickly remembered why it's been 3 years since I've been down to the shoe to watch one live.
I've lived in Columbus for going on 8 years now and I've just never been able to get the hoopla surrounding OSU football.
It's never sucked me in.
I like the game of football... I like (don't love) the Buckeyes.. I get the tradition... It is a sight to see that many people come together for a game... This institution does some amazing things for this community. All that is pretty cool.
Heck, I usually find myself defending Jim Tressell when Buckeye fans go off the deep end after one loss. I tell them it's one damn loss!! Try being a Jackets fan for a year!
I just can't get excited watching a program like Ohio State spank what amounts to a JV team in Marshall. It's like you or me going to play soccer against a bunch of 4 year olds and celebrating like we just won the World Cup after each goal we scored.
It's like that Chris Rock stand up when he talks about some lady braggin that they take care of their kids.... "You're supposed to take care of your kids"!!.
Just like the Buckeyes are supposed to cream Marshall....
I can't get into listening to every fan get royally pissed each run wasn't broken for a touch down.. or each pass wasn't a beautifully executed rainbow.
Your up 21-7 in the first quarter folks! That's like a 3-1 first period lead in hockey. What are you so pissed about?!
I certainly don't get the BCS and no playoff system that college football employs. I've gone rounds with my die hard Buckeye buddies on this one -- a lot of whom agree but say that is just the way it is.
For me the best times I've had down there are the tailgating. That atmosphere is awesome. I'm always up for an excuse to drink beers with the boys and that is what I appreciate most about OSU football.
I'd much rather make the trip down to tailgate and soak up the atmosphere than pay to step foot in that stadium.... that goes for games against Michigan, Texas, Florida... whomever and whenever.
Maybe it's the fact that they are always so good and I would just feel like I'm hopping on the bandwagon. Mabye it's the fact a lot of these games are over before they start. Maybe it's the fact I'm jealous they are so good and spoil their fans. Maybe it's because I can't enjoy a cold adult beverage with my football. Maybe it's just as simple as I never went to school there and wasn't raised on the tradition.
Maybe it's all of that rolled into one.
That's not to say I don't appreciate the university or the football program. I have 40 grand invested in a graduate degree for my wife from this university to show my appreciation. I'm also very aware the Buckeye football program funds the majority of their athletics including mens/womens hockey.
I guess at the end of the day it's just that my passion is and always will be the game of hockey. I wanted to leave last night's game eary like a lot of folks leave a Jackets game. All I could think about (as we did leave early) was man, I wish this was a hockey game.
Those folks stay to see all they can in Pryor, Posey and the Buckeyes crew... I stay to see all I can in Dorsett, Brassard and the Jackets crew.
Folks dress their kids in OSU gear for the first kickoff. My girls are wearing Jackets jerseys/onesies to school/daycare for the first faceoff.
When my wife was a full time grad student my first thought was how to parlay these football tickets to pay for my CBJ season tickets? Of course no home Michigan game that year.
You offer me up free tickets to a OSU - Michigan game or tickets to say a Jackets - Panthers game... I'm taking the Jackets tickets and it's not even a decision.
Give me a Buckeye hockey game any day over a Buckeye football game.
Don't believe me? Call me out on it. I'd LOVE for someone to call me out on it. I'm always game for free hockey tickets!
I know I'm in the minority and quite frankly I don't give a shit.
I tell ya what though -- I envy the hell out of what OSU has going on. Their fans are into the game. Their game ops focuses on what is going on on the field. There are replays galore. No stupid side show acts. I love the raised expectations that nothing short of winning is acceptable even if they get carried away sometimes. They have some amazing traditions like script Ohio and it is very badass to see the O-H-I-O chant circle that stadium. Even their alumni cheerleaders are still smokin!
When you boil it down though all that tradition is built upon one thing - winning.
I'd love for the Jackets fan base to have a fraction of that tradition and passion. It won't ever reach college sports levels because like it or not -- there are differences between pro and college sports that will always be there.
Still there is room to carve out a bigger tradition for the Jackets in this town. Won't ever happen until they WIN!
I'm getting way ahead of myself - but just imagine what a Stanley Cup win could do for the hockey tradition in the town?
I imagine it all the time.
The problem is there are only few nutbags like me out there who think such thoughts and to develop more the Jackets must ice a consistent contender.
After re-reading this post it's pretty clear there isn't much of a point to it other than to reinforce the fact that I'm a hockey head case. That certainly isn't breaking news for any of you who regularly read this blog!
Have a great labor day weekend everyone!
GO HOCKEY!!
-LTL
