COLUMBUS, Ohio — Attending the Ohio State football team’s fall practices has become a time-honored tradition for fans, marking the beginning of the football season.
What You Need To Know
- Ohio State opened up fall practices on Thursday morning
- The first four practices are open to fans who secure a ticket
- Karen Daugherty said she wanted to go to her first-ever practice as a way to celebrate her 75th birthday with her friends and family
- Newer fans also got to see their favorite players up close and get a few autographs
In the sea of football players and fans, you’ll find Karen Daugherty, celebrating her 75th birthday in the stands of Ohio State’s first fall practice.
“We could get together and celebrate doing something really special," Daugherty said.
The lifelong Buckeye fan remembers her first game when she was just in sixth grade.
“On the way home, I said daddy that’s where I want to go to school, and that was it," she said.
The rest is history- now a season ticket holder, and a proud owner of gold pants.
“My family took me there for my bucket list, so I had to have these pants," she said.
From longtime fans to newer ones- like Mason Atkinson and his younger brother Max seeing their favorite players up close and personal, hoping for an autograph.
“It’s really cool," Mason said. "They’re big, strong and really good at football.”
For fans of any age, it’s a moment to take in their favorite team.
“I’m enjoying every minute of it!” Daugherty said.
They realize just how lucky they are to do it
“It is absolutely wonderful," she said. "Everybody should be so blessed.”
This is the first of four practices for fans to be able to see the Buckeyes in person before that first game, going through the weekend.