Hopes and Dreams

You might ask what's next after getting a picture with Jim Tressel. My answer...E. Gordon Gee, the president of THE Ohio State University. (Although we're supposed to call him Gordon Gee...it's not as fun). That's my hope and dream for the next 30 months for our 36 in 36 challenge. From what I know of the man (which is not much - just what I saw of him for 15 minutes at the volleyball game and then the football game on Saturday) he'd appreciate our quest to support all student athletes. Perhaps he'd even become an honorary member...but I get ahead of myself. I think for right now I'll stick with the goal of us getting a picture with him. B-rent...get ready to hold some purses.

October Schedule

Don't be shy OSU fans...come out and join us for our newly planned October events. We'd be honored to add you to our list of honorary members. Currently our calendars are set for Field Hockey on Sunday, October 14th at 1pm. The Buckeyes take on the Iowa Hawkeyes at the North Field Turf located on Olentangy River Road. Then get ready for, what's bound to be, an action-packed day as we attempt to follow OSU's cross-country team at the Big Ten Tournament on Sunday, October 28th. Currently start time is unknown, but we'll get back to you on that. Bring your running shoes just in case.

36 in 36 stats

Active months: 6

Games attended: 4

T-shirst created: 2

Games won: 4

Honorary members: 7


Posts: 32

Head Football coaches met: 1

Appearances on TV: 1

Adoring fans: I'm sure it's too many to count

calls from ESPN for a feature story: 0

TBDBITL

Although it is not technically a varsity sport at OSU we must send props out to the OSU Marching Band! Although the band is steeped in tradition, it has been at the forefront of many innovations in marching band circles such as: "floating and animated formations, measured step marching, script writing, and the fast cadence with a high knee lift. Brass instruments especially designed for marching bands were also first used at Ohio State (http://tbdbitl.osu.edu/)." Some traditions have been created intentionally such as the acclaimed Script Ohio. The single-file march led by the drum major takes three and a half minutes to complete. It was first introduced and performed twice in the 1936 season. It has been a staple of the band since. Fans (and non-fans if there are any) recognize the formation. Traditions such as the pre-game skull session, Hang on Sloopy, and the Ramp Entrance are met with a deafening roar by Buckeye fans. I cannot imagine any other marching band is rewarded by adoring fans such as our 192 member high-steppers.

An example of an unintentional tradition was begun by Glen R. Johnson who dotted the "i" from 1937-1940 when he was a member. In a game in 1938, he was led by the drum major three measures early to his position at the top of the "i". To eat op the time and get back in formation he went with his instinct and did a big kick, a turn, and a deep bow to fans. It was an instant success and well received by the crowd. It has been performed that way ever since.

Thanks band members past and present for those hot summer days holding brass instruments at perfect 90 degree angles to the radiating blacktop and turf surfaces you perfect your sharp turns, steps, and formations. You are and always will be appreciated by the trained and untrained eyes and ears of Buckeye Country.

It's Confirmed

T and I watched the premier of the Big 10 Network. M and I made it on during half time footage! Wohoo! 36 in 36 got some national media :).

Football - September 1

The heat was manageable on Sept 1st for the much anticipated football game. The sun was out, a slight breeze blew periodically, and we were sitting in the Shoe! What more could a couple of girls wish for... ok maybe a few things, but that worked pretty well for us. Here you see A. with husband, splendidly righteous T. Thanks T. for your support in our endeavor!

A. and I would like to announce that we have inducted three new members to our quest. Top left you will see my F-I-L Iron Mike flanked by hubby, the fabulously reverent, B-rent and myself. We strongly suggested at least one piece of OSU attire for Iron Mike hence the hat. Below you will see A. and R. who made a two hour? trip just to be included in our quest. They have been following our sports journey from it's inception and have been chomping at the bit to become honorary members. Due to their hard work and diligence their efforts have paid of and they are now official 36 in 36 honorary members!

On to the football game. The Bucks beat the Youngstown State Penguins with a 38-6 victory! The Alumni band performed in the pre-game and halftime shows. What an amazing sight to see 4 script Ohio's being performed simultaneously. I know it seems a lot of time is being given to the marching band but it is undeniable that they are part of the OSU football experience.

OSU Men's Soccer - August 31

It was a beautiful day for a soccer game on Friday, August 31st. The OSU men's team took on 13th ranked W. Va, and beat them 1-0. Unfortunately neither one of us got to see the only goal of the game. M was rushing from previous engagements and A was just being pokey. We made up for this disappointment, however, by making a TV appearance on the premier of the Big 10 network. (The camera man was flirting with M.)

We are currently 3 for 3 in our 36 in 36 challenge. Pretty soon all the teams will be clamoring for us to attend their games as a good luck charm. Let's see how long we can keep the streak going.

Fall Events Planned

A and I will be returning to our grueling schedule of OSU athletic events starting August 31st by taking in a men's soccer game at the Jesse Owens Facility on campus. They will be playing West Virginia in the Wolstein Classic at 5:00 p.m.

Since there have been no official events in June and July we will need to get back on track by doubling up sports/month for two months so we are planning a couple events for September. A. B. and myself will be attending the football home opener against the Youngstown State Penguins on September 1st. A women's soccer game against San Diego is a possibility on Sunday the 9th at 1:00-weather withstanding, and a conference women's volleyball game against Northwestern on on Friday the 21st at 7:00 is also scheduled.

We'd love to have some new honorary members if anyone is free those days to join us for a sporting event. If you would like to come, let one of us know so we rendezvous.

Fall Opportunities

It is getting to be the time of year when teams will be appearing on campus to begin preseason conditioning and practice. I'm glad I'm just an observer and not a participator anticipating mid August heat and extreme conditioning! In preparation for our upcoming season in our quest to attend all 36 sports in 36 months, I have done a little investigation into what events will be happening during August and September.

I hate to speak for A but I have a feeling due to her aversion to inclement weather I believe our priorities will attending outdoor events on fairly nice days and saving indoor events for rainy or cold days. Not all schedules for teams have been updated on OSU's website so I am going off the ones that seem to have been updated for the 07-08 school year. We have two months to catch up since there actually are some sporting events in August! I am not sure about with the beginning of school either A or I will be up to attending any in August though. We'll see how much energy we have by then.

Options for events are as follows:

August:
Field Hockey- 25th and 26th
Soccer(M)- 31st
Soccer(W)- 21st and 31st

September:
Cross Country(M&W)- 15th
Field Hockey- 1st, 2nd, 21st, 23rd, & 28th
Football- 1st, 8th, & 22nd
Soccer(M)- 2nd, & 23rd
Soccer(W)- 2nd, 4th, 7th, 9th, 13th, 21st, & 28th
Volleyball(W)- 4th, 14th, 15th, 21st, & 23rd

Shirts and Sharpies are ready to head respectively North or South on 315 and support our Buckeyes!

New Honorary Members

Two more folks have become honorary members in our 36 in 36 journey. Although they have not been at an "event attended" with us they both participated in an "unofficial event" (the tour of RPAC on June 21)

I am excited to present to you the new 36 in 36 honorary members: Steph S. and Jil A. Congratulations ladies I know you feel as if you have reached the pinnacle of life by being included on our quest.

RPAC

A., M., and friend Steph were treated to a thorough tour of OSU's new Recreational and Physical Activity Center(RPAC) by soccer star Jil Anderson(Thanks Jil for taking time out of your busy schedule to show us around).

For those of you who attended OSU in earlier years, the new rec center is located on the site of the former Larkins Hall. Some express nostalgia to the old facility but fond memories encased in cobwebs would be promptly dusted away on entering the current facility. It is an amazing opportunity for students recreational needs to be met. All students enrolled in over four hours of classes are automatically charged a approximately $75 fee and are considered members of the facility and allowed access to all of it's recreational options.

I didn't realize how much was involved until I came home and tried to explain to hubby, Brent, exactly what we had seen on the tour. Hours later I was still remembering portions of the tour I had neglected to include in my description. It's difficult to describe over 25,000 square ft. of space accurately.

Some of the highlights of the tour:

*The company

*The moveable floor in the pool which aquatic aerobics are offered

*"Cardio Canyon"

*The natatorium ( new word learned meaning: an indoor swimming pool)

*The Lobby/Welcome Center area

Check this out - TBDRITL

This youtube clip is about the Horseshoe, but it got me pumped for the fall sports in general.

Click here to view.

(Someone needs to show me how to put it in my blog)

OSU revisited

After a long hiatus, we are back in the saddle, metaphorically speaking. Because there are no summer sports available to qualify as eligble to fufill the quest, we have booked some other summer events to keep the 36 in 36 girls active. June 21st J. A. will be taking A. and I on a tour of RPAC- the new rec center at The esteemed Ohio State University. A few of my soccer pals will be joining us. I can't wait until we have new pics to upload on the blog. If you would like to come please contact one of us.

BIG TEN CHAMPS!

Congratulations to the 2007 OSU Softball team and the 2007 OSU Men's Tennis team. Both are the 2007 Big Ten Champions of their respective sport.

GO BUCKS!

Summer Events

Although we will not be able to officially check off sporting events during the summer months, we have decided we would like to have a monthly event throughout the summers of our 36 in 36 challenge. The agenda is as follows: a tour of the RPAC in June - the new State of the Art Rec Center on the OSU campus from a close friend J. A. who works in the facility, Dinner out at the Buckeye Hall of Fame Cafe in July, Picnic with the Pops on Aug 2nd or 3rd with a guest appearance by TBDBITL ( also known as The Best Damn Band In The Land).

Softball

What a great day for a softball game! A balmy breeze was blowingout to left, the sun was shining, and the crowd was in their shirt-sleeves. At our second official event we were pleased to watch the Lady Buckeyes win their second game of a double header against the Wright State Rowdy Raiders in a shut-out game. Pitcher Jamee Juarez broke two OSU records this evening by having the most career strike-outs and shut-out games!!! She now owns four OSU career records: strike outs, shut-outs, wins, and innings pitched. 36 in 36 now has a 2-0 win loss record. It's too early to say but we just might be good luck charms!

Curses, Foiled Again

Because of the lovely Ohio weather we have all come to know and love, our plans have are subject to change at the drop of a ... raindrop. Tonight we were to attend the OSU softball game against Miami University in the hopes of seeing a rousing Ohio rivalry and achieve 2/36. Here I am, in my living room, typing on my laptop, watching an occasional drizzle out my picture window. We are not discouraged! (Mr. S that's for you) We will try again next Tuesday, May 1st for the second game of a double header against Wright State. We welcome Buckeyes and Rowdy Raiders alike to come out and share your support.

Panic Subsides...

After scouring the spring sport schedules and our OEA calenders (those of you who are also teachers in this great state that is round on the ends and HI in the middle know exactly which ones I am talking about) we have found an opening! I can rest easy now knowing that we will be going into the summer months with 2 out of 36 checked off my shirt.

Softball it is folks! A and I will be attending the softball game against Miami of Ohio Wednesday. They are playing a double header starting at 5:00. We would be proud to induct any new Honorary Members who feel so inclined to tune themselves into the 36 in 36 sports family.

Panic Strikes!

I must admit I feel quite harried at the end of this spring sports season. Both A and I have fairly busy schedules (yes I know some of you are thinking, "They obviously have enough time to think up, blog about, and try to follow through with this ridiculous scheme of theirs"). I'm beginning to panic because we may not be able to attend any more sporting events before summer quarter, which incidentally there are no sporting events scheduled for the summer months so this means we have to double up in other seasons to achieve our 36 in 36. M/W Lacrosse, M/W Tennis, M/W Golf, M/W Track and Field, Baseball, Softball, and M Volleyball are spring sports for those of you wondering. Yikes!

Jeni's

We planned to spend last Sunday watching tennis, but it didn't happen. Instead Brent, M and I decided to spend our time touring our great city. Fortunately for us, the tour began with a trip to Jeni's ice cream. Magnificent! I had Thai Chili ice cream where I experienced for the first time in my life spicy ice cream. I know sounds weird...but it was good. Next time we have the good fortunate to visit Jeni's I will be having the Strawberry and Rose Petal...not quite as exotic as Thai chili but it tasted oh-so-good. Thanks for a fun day M and Brent!

If any of you fans out there know of any other uniquely Columbus eateries that we should try in the event of another sporting snaffoo (sp?) please comment and let us know. If we can't attend events we will be happy to spend time indulging ourselves instead!