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NCAA Football History - College Football Team History -
Ohio Bobcats - History
OHIO ATHLETICS TRADITIONS
Nothing beats the pomp and circumstance of a Saturday afternoon
during college football season as fans from across the state
and region converge in Athens, Ohio, to support their Bobcats.
The campus traditions at Ohio University make every football
game a celebration of University spirit.
COLORS
The green and white colors of Ohio University date back
to 1896. Before that time, the University’s unofficial
colors were blue and white. It soon became apparent, however,
that these colors would be unacceptable for the new football
team to wear.
The University’s then-newly hired football coach,
Samuel McMillen, suggested that Ohio adopt as its colors
olive green and white, which were worn at McMillen’s
alma mater, Dartmouth College. The proposal was put before
the student body for a vote and green and white became the
colors of the school’s uniforms in the fall of 1896.
Through the years, the olive green has evolved into a darker
“hunter” green color. As a side note, McMillen
never coached a game for Ohio University as personal problems
prevented him from traveling to Athens in the fall of 1896
ALMA MATER
Ohio University’s alma mater, entitled “Alma
Mater, Ohio,” was created by a special contest. In
1915, Kenneth S. Clark, a graduate of Princeton University,
entered the contest to create an “alma mater song”
for Ohio University and won the $150 first prize. Entries
for this contest were received from all parts of the United
States.
“Alma Mater, Ohio”
(Chorus only)
Alma Mater, Ohio
Alma Mater, brave and fair!
Alma Mater, we hail thee,
For we own thy kindly care.
Alma Mater, Ohio
When we read thy story o'er,
We revere thee and cheer thee
As we sing thy praise once more.
FIGHT SONG
Ohio University’s fight song, entitled “Stand
Up and Cheer,” has been sung as an “athletic
song” since the early 1900s. The song’s words
and theme were adapted from a previous melody, originally
composed by Paul McNeely.
“Stand Up and Cheer”
Stand up and cheer,
Cheer loud and long for old Ohio,
For today we raise
The Green and White above the rest.
Our teams are fighting
And they are bound to win the fray.
We’ve got the team,
We’ve got the steam,
For this is old Ohio’s day!
Rah! Rah! Rah!
THE BOBCATS
Until 1925, or 29 years after the school colors changed
from blue and white, the Ohio University athletic teams
were called the “Green and White.” At that time,
however, the school’s athletic board decided the teams
needed a nickname and a campus-wide contest was initiated.
Many animal nicknames were proposed but after great debate,
the Bobcat won for its reputation as a sly, wily, scrappy
animal.
Former student Hal H. Rowland of Athens earned the $10
first prize for proposing the winning entry. The new nickname
was passed by the board on Dec. 7, 1925, and was officially
adopted by President E.B. Bryan.
The Bobcat mascot first appeared at Ohio’s Homecoming
game against Miami on Oct. 22, 1960. Smartly clad in a bright
green sweater and a baseball cap on top of its paper mache
head, the Bobcat was a gift to all of Ohio University from
the men of Lincoln Hall.
That day, the Ohio football squad smashed archrival Miami
21-0 and went on to arguably the university’s greatest
football season ever. The Bobcats finished 10-0 that year
and were voted the NCAA National College Division Champion.
Dan Nichols, class of ’63, was the first Bobcat mascot
and set a precedent for several decades that the person
donning the costume must live in Lincoln Hall. The Campus
Affairs Committee decided that the Bobcat mascot would be
a permanent member of the cheerleading squad and would cheer
at all football and basketball games.
The Bobcat mascot has changed its appearance many times
since 1960 but remains a beloved representative of Ohio
Athletics. Nowadays, the Bobcat can be seen at numerous
varsity athletic events and visits countless special events
in the community.
“LIVE” MASCOT
In addition to the Bobcat costume, which merely symbolizes
Ohio’s mascot, a live Bobcat was introduced to Ohio
University’s fans in 1983. “Sir Winsalot,”
as named in a contest by John and Liz Gillam of Athens,
was owned by Ohio University graduate and Columbus resident
Richard Widdis.
The animal was kept at the Columbus Zoo until his death.
Waddis replaced “Sir Winsalot” with a new cat
named “Paws,” who can be found in the North
America section of the Columbus Zoo.
THE MARCHING 110
One of the finest marching bands in the country, the Marching
110 represents Ohio University at athletic events, parades
and festivals around the nation.
In 1923, an Ohio University student by the name of Homer
Baird decided that Ohio needed a marching band. He organized
the first meeting about such a group at Ewing Hall where
over 40 musicians were in attendance. At this meeting, Baird
was elected president and made arrangements with a local
instrumental teacher named Raymond Connett to direct the
band for free.
Gene Thrailkill took control of the marching band in 1966
and made drastic changes including the adoption of the athletic
marching style, playing the popular music of the day and
originating the “Diamond Ohio” formation to
give the band its own trademark.
The name “Marching 110” originally referred
to the number of band members in 1967 but the band has since
expanded. The 110 now stands for the 110% effort expected
of all members at all times.
In 1968, sophomore drum major David Fowler began the tradition
of dancing to the new and popular rock tunes of the time.
The first dance piece used by the entire band was called
“Ain’t Been Good” and the 110 still continues
to perform the song.
The band’s history also includes being the first
marching band ever to perform in New York’s Carnegie
Hall (October 28, 1976) and playing at the Presidential
Inaugural Parade and Ball in 1993.
Under the current direction of Richard Suk, the 110 opened
for Hillary Clinton’s speech at Baker Center in October
1996. “The Most Exciting Band in the Land!”
also marched in the 2000 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
and has performed in numerous college and professional football
stadiums.
HOMECOMING
The University’s biggest football weekend of the
year is the annual Homecoming Game. Played in the afternoon,
it follows a parade that winds through uptown and ends in
the Peden Stadium parking lot.
Ohio was graced by a special guest in 2000 as “Today
Show” co-host and Ohio alum Matt Lauer returned to
campus to film a special segment. Nancy Cartwright, the
voice of Bart Simpson, was honored in 2002 and actress Piper
Perabo (Coyote Ugly, Lost & Delirious, Adventures of
Rocky and Bullwinkle) returned to campus for Homecoming
festivities in 2003.
PEPSI TAIL-GREAT PARK
Every Friday afternoon of home game weeks, the park across
from Peden Stadium is transformed from its traditional use
as a site for picnics, frisbee-playing and the Marching
110 practice field to become Pepsi Tail-Great Park. The
park features entertainment areas for children, live music,
the smells of charcoal grills and, of course, tailgating.
Parking passes for Pepsi Tail-Great Park can be purchased
from the Ohio Athletics Ticket Office at 800-575-CATS or
740-593-1300.
BATTLE FOR THE BELL
Ohio and Marshall have met many times on the football field
but for the last six seasons, the game has meant a little
bit more. When the rivalry returned to Mid-American Conference
play, the schools agreed to establish a traditional trophy
for the winner.
Hence, the Bell, which resembles those found on steamboats
along the Ohio River that divides Ohio and West Virginia.
The Thundering Herd won the first three contests before
the Bobcats captured the Bell in 2000.
SALUTE TO THE STUDENTS
Win or lose, after shaking hands with the visiting team,
Ohio University football players head for the student section
to thank them for attending.
The salute features the Bobcats raising their helmets while
the band plays the alma mater.
THE CANNON
The loudest Ohio tradition is just in its fourth season.
An 1800s-style military cannon was designed and built to
help celebrate Bobcat touchdowns and extra points.
Residing in the north end zone, the cannon is also used
at other times during the game, including the team’s
initial entry onto the field.
THE BAKER CANE
On October 7, 1995, President Emeritus John C. Baker (1945-61)
returned to Ohio University for the celebration of his 100th
birthday. Accompanying him on the trip was a cane that had
been lent to him in 1956 by Carroll Widdoes, then head football
coach, to speed Dr. Baker’s recovery from a broken
leg.
However, fearing “that it might be university property,”
Dr. Baker made a point – 39 years later – of
returning the cane to the Department of Athletics, his gesture
signifying the commitment to “honesty and integrity”
that he hopes the Ohio athletics program will continue to
uphold. The cane is displayed here as a symbol of that commitment.
The MaC Conference
In the space of those 12 hours, the national perception
of the Mid-American Conference changed. On three separate
occasions last Saturday, MAC schools defeated Top-25 programs
and simultaneously sent a message from one coast to the
other – “The Mid-American Conference is a force
to be reckoned with.”
Labeled the best day in conference history by USA Today,
what occurred on September 20th may help shape the fortunes
of 14 institutions on the football field for decades. This
conference wants respect. It wants recognition without the
asterisk. It wants to prove itself. It wants to play against
the ‘power conferences’ and be included in the
Bowl Championship Series equation.
If you’re like me and you take a great interest in
this conference, it probably doesn’t shock you when
people incorrectly refer to it as the MAC Conference (what
in the world do you think that ‘C’ in MAC is
people?). I actually had an acquaintance say that he only
knew of the MAC because of what occurred after the game
between Miami and Marshall last season. (This person and
I are no longer friends.)
Miami head coach Terry Hoeppner told the media two years
ago in Detroit that the MAC’s biggest problem is that
“no one knows who we are” and at the time, the
statement was accurate. After last Saturday, however, not
recognizing a MAC team as a dangerous opponent is inexcusable.
Every network and newspaper in the country was forced to
step back and take a good hard look at the Mid-American
Conference. I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner.
This conference has claimed a legitimate Heisman Trophy
candidate for each of the last five seasons. The number
of dynamic and talented quarterbacks who play for MAC teams
this fall is staggering. It boasts the leading returning
rusher in the nation (Northern Illinois’ Michael Turner,
1915 yards in 2002). Pick up a random magazine that lists
the ‘top players at each position in college football’
and you are guaranteed to find the following names: Ben
Roethlisberger, Ryan Schneider, Josh Harris, Michael Turner,
Darius Watts, Steve Azar, Nate McPeek, Jason Babin, Chad
Mascoe and Dan Sheldon. Some names you might recognize and
some not. All ring a bell, though, with opposing teams’
coordinators. The point is that they are some of the best
in college football and that they play in this conference.
On September 2, 2000, Toledo defeated Penn State 24-6 in
Happy Valley and the effects of that nationally televised
contest started a quiet rumble in the rest of the MAC. Since
that time, those of us who follow and study these teams
understand that this conference has gotten stronger each
and every season. Bowling Green, Marshall, Miami, Northern
Illinois, Ohio and Toledo have all defeated BCS conference
schools in the last four seasons and that trend seems to
be holding firm. The Falcons, in particular, have recently
become known as upset specialists with three wins against
the Big Ten and Big 12 in two years.
When three teams from the MAC defeat top Top-25 squads
on the same day, what kind of message does it send to the
other conferences? Essentially, it means that a non-conference
game against the Mid-American Conference is no longer a
‘guaranteed win.’
That’s not me talking, that’s the everyday college
football fan looking down a team’s schedule and automatically
checking a mental ‘W’ next to a MAC team slated
to visit campus early in the season. Now it means a chance
for an upset or rather, just another opportunity for the
MAC. Also, have you noticed how many BCS schools are traveling
to MAC campuses for games lately?
Mid-American Conference Commissioner Rick Chryst needs
to be commended for his tireless efforts. Every time I hear
this man speak, it’s in reference to increased coverage
and more opportunities for this conference to plant its
flag on the national scene. The Ohio Sports Network’s
Derek Scott interviewed Chryst after halftime of Ohio’s
home game against Minnesota and the topic was adding a third
bowl possibility in the near future. Conversations with
the current BCS conference representatives and university
presidents were confirmed to have taken place. Nationally
televised games on ESPN seem to be just the tip of the iceberg
here. In now his fifth year as commissioner, we are beginning
to see the fruit of this man’s labors (and the people
who work with him at the MAC office).
How does the MAC follow up with an encore that is worthy
of its non-conference success last weekend? It does the
same thing it has for years. The 14 teams go out and for
the next 8-10 weeks they scrap and fight for every yard
in hopes of winning the league. A chance to play in the
conference championship is still at the heart and soul of
what makes this so intriguing every single Saturday. While
a handful of games have already been played between teams
from the East and West divisions, Saturday kicks off the
MAC schedule in its entirety and this has proven to be the
time of year that makes or breaks a team. If your goal is
to play on December 4th (MAC Championship Game on the campus
of the West Division winner), your journey really begins
now.
So in closing, I’ll throw this little comparison
out there. I put down the phone last Saturday evening and
thought about what had transpired in the college football
world. I realized that the MAC in non-conference play is
now similar to a shark that smells blood. Lately it’s
been a bit more lethal. While I will always be partial to
the Ohio Bobcats on the playing field, it’s nice to
watch this ever-improving football conference as a whole
grab the spotlight and get the recognition it has earned.
Ohio
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