COLUMBUS, Ohio — Along with it having been the first Ohio State football home game of the season this past Saturday, it was also the annual Alumni Band game, with nearly 600 former band members coming back to campus.

But this year is even more special as the band marked 50 years since women have been allowed, thanks to Title IX. And the first woman to punctuate one of the school’s greatest traditions is back celebrating the big milestone.

What You Need To Know

• The Ohio State marching band is celebrating 50 years of allowing women in the band at alumni band weekend for the Youngstown State game


• Jan Duga joined the band in 1976


• Her senior year, Duga was the first woman to "dot the I" in the famous Script Ohio


• Now, Duga is back to celebrate that moment and all that has changed since then

It’s been a few years since Jan Duga has marched on campus. The sousaphone player came back over weekend for alumni band weekend.

“Such a special occasion!” she said.

Duga is glad to be back for alumni band weekend. (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

And that it is, as the marching band celebrated 50 years of women being allowed in the band. And for Duga, that’s extra special as the first woman to "dot the I."

“It was a huge deal," Duga said of being the first woman to "dot the I" in 1979.  "And every time I think about it I still get chills.”

Duga remembers that day vividly. It was an alumni weekend as well and her dad was on the field with her.

Duga (left) with her father after she dotted the I in 1979. (Photo courtesy of Jan Duga)

“The line of 'I dotters' started with my father," she said of her dad who was a sousaphone player for the OSUMB in the 1950s. 

Now, 44 years since she "dotted the I", Duga reflects on how that moment has changed everything.

“It starts with one," she said. “I think being the first at anything does break that barrier and other women are inspired to know that they too can someday do that. So, I’m just getting chills even thinking about that right now.”

And during the halftime show at the Youngstown State game, she had that honor once again.

Duga at the Youngstown State game. (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

She "Dotted the I" in the south end zone along with four other women.

Duga practices outside of Ohio Stadium. (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

“It’s going to be a rush of emotion," she said. "And to share that with all the other people on the field, and all these women on the field that are "dotting the I", that’s history right there, too.”

The alumni band along with the varsity marching band performed the quintessential four script Ohio’s at halftime during Saturday’s game.