Buckeye Syndrome

For many across the country, college football season is one of eager anticipation. I, for one, am among this hoard of fanatics, specifically in support of THE Ohio State University. It never ceases to amaze me to see droves of fans from all backgrounds gather in rousing support for one team. I've been an avid follower--in what can only be seen as a mass cult-- since the mid-90's. But I often wonder how and why these Buckeyes have become such a dominant force in Ohio culture and lore, and this is what I want to try and explore with this post.
Every state or region has its team that it blindly follows to the end. Often, these success or failures of the team can determine the future of a household, a community, or in some extreme cases, an economy. This is no different with Ohio State sports. In particular, football is the biggest draw. The sport, in general, is king among most American sports fans. What is different with Ohio State versus most other collegiate and even some professional teams is the passion. Never has a day gone by where I haven't heard a conversation about Buckeye football in one way or another. Whether it be about a star recruit or a new defensive scheme, the intense love for the team is one to admire.
There are several reasons for this kind of dynamic interaction, in my opinion. Relative to the rest of the country, there is not much else to do in Ohio. Much of the state is rural farmland or rust-belt factories that are no longer the source of wealth that they once were. The state suffers from mounting debt, failing educational systems, and a decreasing population. As far as entertainment, sports, for many Ohioans, is THE escape from these problems. In particular, Ohio State football is the sport of choice. Sure, you have Indians, Reds, Browns, Bengals and Blue Jackets fans, but those are mere appetizers to the real team in the state. There are small towns peppered throughout the state that raise their sons to one day play football for Ohio State. One town in particular--Massilon--gives their new baby boys a football when they are born. In my observations, Buckeye football goes beyond cheering a team on to victory, but it borders on a religious experience. It is not simply a game, but a way of life. I say religious because there is never a day off for the strongest portions of the base. The Horseshoe is their temple and Tressel is their preacher. They pray to the Saints of the past in St. Griffen, St. Harley, and St. George. Most importantly, they pay daily homage to their deity, Wayne Woodrow "Woody" Hayes and look for guidance in his words. And of course, nothing is more gratifying among these fans than the yearly baptism by fire against their sworn enemy, Michigan.
In many ways, the tradition transcends generations because we all share a common bond, which is success. Many of the things we encounter in our lives are filled with failures or other short-comings. Whether at work, home, or elsewhere, often times we cannot control the events that occur. This can be entirely frustrating for many. But in Ohio State football, we see the opportunity to have an impact on something we love. I've seen grown men wear the same pair of dirty, smelly socks to every game because in their mind it mean't a Buckeye victory. In some way, they felt their contribution may have helped put the team over the top. Further, actually being at the game gives the "believers" a chance to forget their problems. By screaming, cheering, and booing, they can, in their minds, believe that they have helped secure victory against another foe. In some instances this is true. The fans that do come create such a hostile environment for the opposition, that it is almost impossible to win for them. But in the off-chance that they do, the depression reflects across the state. Work actually slows down (yes there are trends to show this) after a heartbreaking loss, especially to a certain rival from the North.
I've never seen anything that comes close to this fervor and I've seen just about any and all big rivalries in sports. Nor have I seen the zeal in an everyday setting in which there isn't even a game to watch. From the message boards to the jokes about Michigan, I think the passion is what makes us different. What makes us who we are. What makes us Buckeye Nation. In spite of it all, we still keep going.