PERRYSBURG, Ohio– People of all ages packed into Perrysburg’s gymnasium for a special treat.
The Ohio State Marching Band played a concert for the people of Northwest Ohio. An excellent way to get the people excited for the big game against the team just up North.
Alumnus Mary Lou Koval graduated from Ohio State in 1956 and now lives in East Lansing, Michigan.
She says the night means everything to her to see her beloved Ohio State Marching Band.
“When they start the tune for Script Ohio, I might collapse,” Koval said laughingly.
Drum Major Konner Barr says the band knows how important playing for this crowd is.
“Just being able to see all the support that comes out, especially the little kids,” Drum Major Konner Barr said. “Just being able to inspire them every day is a really cool thing.”
One of those kids is little Emerson Baker. His Mom Laura says he already knows what he wants to do.
“He tells us every day that he wants to be a marching band boy when he grows up,” Laura Baker said.
And I think I know what instrument he’s going to play.
Q: “What’s your favorite thing about the Marching Band?”
“Um, the drums,” Emerson Baker said.
Q: “Which drums, the big one, or the smaller ones?”
“All of ‘em!”
Q: “Why”
“Because they’re so loud,” he exclaimed.
The concert, which is in its 44th year, but only happens once every four years, raises money to benefit Wood County students planning to attend Ohio State. Over the years, the concert has raised nearly 300,000 dollars to go toward scholarships.
Heather Hetterick says there’s no better way to get the town going before the big game.
“It really gets ‘em pumped up, right before the big game,” Marketing Chair for the concert Heather Hetterick said. “People just love the music and the tradition, and the tradition. There are so many Buckeyes and some Michigan fans too.”
Even the opposition appreciates a good band when they see it. Wolverines fan Brent Borcsani is dating a Buckeyes fan, and he has no shame admitting he likes TBDBITL.
“I will say that the band is really good,” Borcsani said. “Like really great, I love it. I’m glad I came and also Go Blue.”
For Assistant Drum Major Morgan Davis, it’s all about showing love to the fans.
“It’s as exciting as it is for them as it is for us,” Assistant Drum Major Morgan Davis said. “To know that we’re having such an impact on so many people from such a wide range of ages… it really touches all of us. Because this is what we love to do and to see that what we love to do brings happiness to other people is great.”
A Buckeye tradition that means so much to so many.
“It is so special that I know I’m gonna cry. But it’s a good cry.”
