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Evolution of Script Ohio
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First OSU Band Performs
A 16-piece Ohio State student fife and drum crop first performed at the university's commencement ceremony in 1879, only a year after the orgranization first formed on Ohio State's campus. -
Band Marches at Athletic Events
When the university first hired a professional musician with military band experience, Gustav Bruder, to direct the band in 1896 the group not only grew in size but also began marching at all athletic events. -
The Team Up North
According to the student newspaper, The Michigan Daily, the word "OHIO" was first spelled out in script diagonally across the field in Ohio Stadium by the Michigan Marching Band. This marks the first time a script of Ohio was performed. -
Script Ohio by Ohio State
Script Ohio was performed by the Ohio State Marching band at a football game in 1936. Ohio State's version, unlike Michigan's, combined not only the recognizable script but was also performed to the beat of Le Regiment de Sambre et Meuse (the Script Ohio song). (Image: library.osu.edu) -
Dot The "I"
Up until this point the "I" in Script Ohio was always dotted by a trumpet player; however, this tradition changed only a year after the script's creation when sousaphonist Glen R. Johnson got the honor one day in rehearsal. Johnson then became the regular i-dotter, continuing the tradition for his remaining four years in the band. The marching band continued this tradition, with a sousaphone player dotting the "I" each year since. -
Media Attention
Drawing attention nationally for the first time during the 1950s, Script Ohio and the tradition of dotting the "I" gained attention after news outlets began printing the names of the i-dotters in news releases following the Rose Bowl game. -
Woody Dots the "I"
Woody Dots the "I"
Legendary Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes dots the "I" during Script Ohio. Hayes is one of a select few individuals given the honor. Those individuals include Bob Hope, OSU president Novice Fawcett and his wife, Retired ticket director Robert Ries, Jack Nicklaus, James Douglas, John Glenn and his wife, OSU president Gordan Gee and his wife, Richard Heine, Ann Droste, Leslie Wexner, and, most recently, Dr. Jon Woods. -
Watch Out!
Watch Out! When Ohio State played USC at home in 2009 the game wasn't the only thing that made headlines. Sousaphonist Frank Cosenza Jr. gave the media something to talk about when he gave the cameraman a friendly, unintentional tap when taking his bow. -
All Hail Dr. Woods
Long time OSU marching band director Dr. Jon Woods dotted the "I" during a special second performance of Script Ohio at halftime of the 2011 football game vs. Penn State. This marked the first time in history Script Ohio was performed more than once during a single game.
