COLUMBUS, Ohio — While the news of UCLA and USC joining the Big Ten Conference came as a surprise for many, for Buckeyes in Southern California, many are excited to have their team on the West Coast more often. 

Traveling to Columbus, Ohio, to walk through the gates at Ohio Stadium and watch the Buckeyes in “The Horseshoe” is something many OSU fans cherish, but for some, it’s a little harder to get here.

Ricky Darling, a 2013 Ohio State graduate who lives in his hometown of Los Angeles, is one of those fans. When he heard the news of the University of Southern California and University of California-Los Angeles joining the Big Ten, he was a little torn at first.

Ricky Darling (left) supports UCLA against the University of Oklahoma. (Courtesy of Ricky Darling)

“I figured when I was making my college choice I was like ‘Ohio State and UCLA they’re really not going to play all that often,’” Darling said. “Maybe a Rose Bowl, maybe a non-conference game here or there. But it’s probably pretty safe. I can equally root for both of them and be okay. And here we are.”

Darling is the vice president of the OSU LA alumni chapter. The group gets together for Ohio State football games at a local bar or restaurant, but Darling said he’s excited that the chapter will have more chances to go see the Scarlet and Gray closer to home.

Members of the OSU LA Alumni Association celebrate in an LA-area bar. (Courtesy of OSU LA Alumni Association)

“They’ll be here on a regular basis,” Darling said. “It’s exciting that we’ll get to see them in person without having to get on a plane or get in the car.”

Meg Heller, a Columbus native who now lives in San Diego, said her alumni chapter has become like family in an unfamiliar place. She’s happy that more of them will get a chance to watch the Buckeyes in person.

“The breadth is so wide for Ohio State pride,” Heller said. “And now we get to participate in games here in Southern California as well as the East Coast. So I think it’s a huge opportunity for the Ohio State community.”

Meg Heller poses with two OSU alumni at a San Diego OSU Alumni event. (Courtesy of Meg Heller)

Heller went to the Rose Bowl to cheer on the Buckeyes in January and said she’s expecting a big crowd of Scarlet and Gray whenever the Buckeyes more regularly travel west.

“We showed up,” Heller said. “Ohio State fans showed up. They are there, they have a huge presence in Los Angeles, they have a huge presence in San Diego. I’m excited to take over these stadiums when it comes to an away game.”

Meg Heller poses in front of the Rose Bowl. (Courtesy of Meg Heller)

Darling agreed, and believes not only his Southern California counterparts will be there, but that Ohio State fans from across the country will make the trip, too.

“I’m sure it’ll be an attractive road trip for Buckeyes all over the country,” Darling said. “Especially if it’s later in the season and a trip to Southern California sounds pretty good in late November.”