COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State University has its fair share of die-hard football fans, from the costumed, to the crazed. Many, though, may be surprised to find that two of the biggest OSU fans are actually doctors.

What You Need To Know

  • The Woody Wagon is one-of-a-kind OSU-themed ambulance

  • It’s owned by OSU super fans Dominic Bagnoli and Travis Ulmer, two emergency physicians from northeast Ohio

  • The Woody Wagon has been at tailgates since 2013, but Bagnoli has missed just five home games since 1981

  • Bagnoli said his favorite part of the vehicle is how it brings people together on game days

There are plenty of tailgates around Ohio Stadium, but few match the energy and appeal of the Woody Wagon. 

Dominic Bagnoli and Travis Ulmer own the OSU-themed ambulance, which they’ve decked out in Buckeye memories over the years. 

“It’s been on road trips,” Bagnoli said. “It’s been to the national championship, playoff games. It actually broke down and we had to flatbed it to one of the playoff games to make sure it got there. It’s got its issues, but we’ve got it fixed now and it’s going to be at every game as long as we can make it happen.”

Bagnoli has missed just five home games since 1981. In 2005, he and Ulmer wanted to take their fan experience to a new level. 

“We started tailgating in the late 90s, different ways to set up the tailgate,” Bagnoli said. “Travis and I are both emergency physicians, and we’re partners in a company. Travis had the idea to buy a trailer to put all of our tailgating stuff in. I said, 'why would you buy a trailer, let’s buy an ambulance.'” 

Thus the Woody Wagon was born in 2013. Bagnoli said there are countless memories from tailgates.

“This picture was taken at the national championship game,” Bagnoli said. “ESPN road trip came and they had visited us once before. And they came, Travis and I did the O-H-I-O before the big national championship, so that’s a special spot right there for us.”

Bagnoli is from Hartville, Ohio — a village between Akron and Canton. He went to Ohio State for his Bachelor’s degree, which is where he met his wife. He said there is nothing like game days on Saturdays in Columbus. 

“Buckeye football is just an incredible experience,” Bagnoli said. “It’s a great way to spend the weekend with friends and family. And that’s why we come. We come down on Friday, check into the Blackwell, drive the thing in here and Travis brings it up. We set up and we’re ready to entertain.”

The outside of the wagon is adorned with OSU’s legendary coaches, players and university figures — most of which have signed. It even has field turf from inside Ohio Stadium. But Bagnoli said his favorite part of the wagon isn’t actually tangible. 

“My favorite part of the thing is it’s a meeting place for friends and family to come and enjoy themselves before the game,” he said. “That’s the best thing about it. Because there’s a place to go. It’s always here at gate seven. And it’s all my friends, and my family and Travis’ family and his friends and it’s just a great experience." 

They bought the ambulance for $15,000, and spent north of $20,000 to make it what it is today. But there’s no price tag on what it’s worth to them now as it serves as a tribute Ohio State’s greatest coach. 

“Woody started this all with his philosophy of pay it forward” Bagnoli said. “We believe in that. By entertaining our friends and family, it’s part of us celebrating those relationships."

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