The Ohio State Band and the Squirrel Why 
The Ohio State Band is a highly respected and well-known tradition of the University of Dayton. It is a physically demanding performance that begins with the countdown clock showing 19:45. Before the band emerges from the ramp tunnel, a short video is played on the scoreboard, followed by the word “Didge Ohio” on the screen. This is a cue for the percussion section to begin their march down the ramp.
Script Ohio
Script Ohio has become an iconic marching band formation, first performed by the Ohio State University Marching Band on Oct. 10, 1936. Although the University of Michigan Marching Band performed it in 1932, they did not perform it as their signature piece. Eugene J. Weigel based the looped script “Ohio” on the marquee of the Loew’s Ohio Theatre in downtown Columbus. This logo became a trademark of the Ohio State football team.
During Script Ohio, a fourth or fifth-year sousaphone player stands in the “i” of the word “Ohio.” This formation was one of Weigel’s first experiments. The first i-dotters were John Brungart and Glen Johnson, who bowed to the audience after the drum major arrived too early. Then the other “i”-dotters, a fourth and fifth-year sousaphone player, followed by the drum major, led the “peel-off” movement around the script.
Double Script
The Ohio State Band has become famous for its “Script Ohio” routine before kickoff at home football games. During the 2021 homecoming game, the Best Damn Band in the Land performed the same performance twice – once before kickoff and again during halftime. The second performance ended in a 35-10 victory over Maryland. The performance caused some fans to ask why the band was repeating itself, and one columnist wondered the same thing. The band’s composer and conductor, Eugene J. Weigel, based the looped script design on the marquee sign of Loew’s Ohio Theatre in downtown Columbus. The result was an iconic march that became synonymous with Ohio State football.
The Script Ohio routine is unique in that it is played in two different styles. The first version is played for one side of the field, while the second is played on both sides of the field. The third version is performed with the Alumni Band during halftime of a homecoming game. Performing Script Ohio with a new ensemble is a great way to get your college football team into the spirit.
Movie-themed halftime show
In its latest halftime show, the Ohio State band wowed the crowd with an homage to the movies. The band, called TBDBITL, performed a movie-themed routine called “50 Years of Cinema.” The piece took the audience back five decades in movie history and highlighted the blockbuster hits of each decade. The performance even included a flying squirrel! Here are some highlights from the show.
“Top Gun” was a big hit in 1986, and the Ohio State University Marching Band paid tribute to it during its November halftime show. In a special letter to the band, director Tom Cruise invited the players to see the movie. He also gave the band members shirts bearing the movie’s logo. The sequel will star Cruise as an ace fighter pilot, and is scheduled to open in theaters on May 27, 2022, a few months after the original movie opened in theaters.
Diamond Ohio logo
The ‘Diamond Ohio’ logo is the symbol of the Ohio State University Marching Band. This logo was created by superimposing an ‘I’ over the center of the H. Then, making the O’s into triangles, it resembles the outline of a diamond. The band has been using the diamond logo at home football games since 1966. Director Gene Thrailkill modeled the pregame set after the Ohio State band, and the diamonds were created to be an abstract reflection of the Ohio logo.
What does the Ohio State Band Squirrel do?
The Ohio State Band Squirrel collects nuts.
How does the Ohio State Band Squirrel help the band?
The Ohio State Band Squirrel helps the band by gathering nuts and hiding them in the stands.
Why does the Ohio State Band Squirrel hide nuts in the stands?
The Ohio State Band Squirrel hides nuts in the stands so that the band can have something to eat during halftime.
How many nuts does the Ohio State Band Squirrel have?
The Ohio State Band Squirrel has enough nuts for the entire band.
How long has the Ohio State Band Squirrel been helping the band?
The Ohio State Band Squirrel has been helping the band for over 100 years.
Where do the nuts come from that the Ohio State Band Squirrel hides in the stands?
The nuts come from the trees around the stadium.
How does the Ohio State Band Squirrel get the nuts from the trees?
The Ohio State Band Squirrel climbs the trees and shakes the nuts down.
What do the nuts look like that the Ohio State Band Squirrel hides in the stands?
The nuts are small and brown.
What kind of nuts does the Ohio State Band Squirrel hide in the stands?
The Ohio State Band Squirrel hides acorns in the stands.
How many acorns does the Ohio State Band Squirrel have?
The Ohio State Band Squirrel has enough acorns for the entire band.
How long does it take the Ohio State Band Squirrel to gather enough acorns for the entire band?
It takes the Ohio State Band Squirrel a few days to gather enough acorns for the entire band.
How often does the Ohio State Band Squirrel hide acorns in the stands?
The Ohio State Band Squirrel hides acorns in the stands every week.
What does the Ohio State Band Squirrel do with the acorns it doesn’t hide in the stands?
The Ohio State Band Squirrel eats the acorns it doesn’t hide in the stands.
Does the Ohio State Band Squirrel only hide acorns in the stands?
No the Ohio State Band Squirrel also hides nuts in the stands.
What does the Ohio State Band Squirrel do with the nuts it doesn’t hide in the stands?
The Ohio State Band Squirrel eats the nuts it doesn’t hide in the stands.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
