"Buckeye Nation"

[Steve_424]

It's the vast majority of the fan base. Most have no clue what they are talking about (not throwing you in that group, just a general statement). Most never attended OSU. There seems to be a general attitude amongst people that went to OSU that if you didn't go to a BIG10 school then your education is inferior, the school you went to must suck, oh you went to OHIO, must not have learned anything, etc.

I went to Ohio University because they had a great program in my major (much better than OSU's in the same field) and I absolutely loved the school. I got into OSU. They were my back-up plan. I got recruited to play football at Columbia University. I'm not a dumb ass. These are some of the reasons why many people who attended smaller schools really dislike OSU. There's an elitist attitude that prevails from the top down, starting with Gee.

I know from the Ohio standpoint there's a big beef with OSU because although Ohio University is the oldest university in Ohio (est. 1804), Ohio A&M received a massive land grant and was written into law as Ohio's flagship campus, essentially stifling Ohio University's ability grow and get funding beyond a certain point. There was also a lawsuit in the early-to-mid 90's where OSU tried to sue Ohio for the right to use solely "OHIO" on athletic apparel. Obviously they lost because Ohio University owns the trademark for "OHIO" as it relates to intercollegiate athletics, since Ohio was founded nearly 70 years prior to OSU. That lawsuit caused a lot of bad feelings.

To add on to this, it seems like a lot of those fans are the ones who never attended Ohio State - the massive group of frontrunners that help to form "Buckeye Nation". I know many OSU grads, and none of them are obnoxious about Ohio State. It's the non-student fans that insist on it being referred to as The Ohio State, that talk down to you about going to a smaller school (even if it has better programs), and expect you to cheer for the Buckeyes because you live in Ohio, even if they're playing your alma mater.

I also agree on Gee. When your school president refers to mid-major programs as "Little Sisters of the Poor" and says that outstanding football programs like Boise State and TCU don't deserve a shot at the National Championship, you can see where the elitist attitude of some fans comes from.

 

[David.]

yea, im a huge fan of the san diego city college hobos. thign is, the only thing we play is broken instruments at bus stops.

 

[czvo]

1. Graduating from Ohio in June

2. Completely indifferent towards OSU

3. I didn't grow up in Ohio (though my dad's family still lives in Cleveland). Guess I'm disqualified then?

I will say this, though. I'm a Kansas fan. Worked there this past summer, and again over winter break. OU was one free throw from playing them in the Elite Eight. Who would I root for? O-H-I-O, without question. There would be no sitting quietly either. I'd be openly rooting for Ohio. It doesn't matter who I was/am a fan of, I go to Ohio. That's my school, and I will support them 100% no matter who they play.

 

[Chris]

I have no issue with Ohio U (I'd root for them if they weren't playing OSU, too). I don't look down on anyone who lacks a Big 10 education. At the same time, I have a huge amount of pride for OSU, I think it's one of the best unis in the country, I wouldn't choose anyone's football program over ours, and when people try to hate on us, yeah, I'm going to talk some shit back. That should go without saying.

 

[Steve_424]

1. Graduating from Ohio in June

2. Completely indifferent towards OSU

3. I didn't grow up in Ohio (though my dad's family still lives in Cleveland). Guess I'm disqualified then?

I will say this, though. I'm a Kansas fan. Worked there this past summer, and again over winter break. OU was one free throw from playing them in the Elite Eight. Who would I root for? O-H-I-O, without question. There would be no sitting quietly either. I'd be openly rooting for Ohio. It doesn't matter who I was/am a fan of, I go to Ohio. That's my school, and I will support them 100% no matter who they play.

Good for you, that's how it should be.

 

[-Akronite-]

I just want to throw something out there:

I considered both Miami and Ohio before deciding on OSU. I would consider anyone going to college to have made a large and personal decision. For every asshole that calls your education shit because they went to the Big10, there are even more pretentious pricks calling a public education worthless. People are people and the insecure ones are the ones that pick teams based on how good they are or get off on where they went to school.

I can understand the hate that good programs like OSU get, especially if you to go to Ohio U. But, I would say it has to suck hating on OSU in Ohio while rooting for another Ohio team. Not only is it futile if/when they match up, but talking smack will just lead to people calling you "butt-hurt" (my least favorite phrase of all-time quote possibly).

 

[Cratylus]

I am a current student at OSU but as long as the Buckeyes aren't playing them, I am in favor of any Ohio team doing well. Even as an Akronite I have a lot of ties to Kent State and if they were doing what OU did this year in the tourney I'd root for them (as I did for the Bobcats).

Some people choose their fanhood, I stick with local loyalty. I like Ohio and it's where I'm from, so I like seeing us succeed. As long as you're consistent you won't get much flack from me.

I couldn't have said it better myself... although I did not attend OSU (I went to Malone University in Canton). OSU was the first team I can remember cheering for when I was a young kid and I've stuck by them for my entire life. I'm a devoted and truly fanatical fan.

I don't live in Ohio anymore, but I was born there, raised there, and for 30 years I was proud to call Ohio my home. I'll always consider myself an Ohioan no matter where I live, and I will always stick up for my state and its long and distinguished list of amazing colleges and universities. I like to think that when one Ohio school succeeds, they all ultimately succeed. Maybe that's a little naive, but so be it.

Ultimately my sports fan's heart belongs to my alma mater and OSU; however, I cheer for ALL Ohio colleges and universities when they play against non-Ohio schools.

 

[czvo]

Good for you, that's how it should be.

I can't stand the people that root for teams they grew up rooting for over their own school. Friend of mine who grew up rooting for Michigan was pulling for them when they played Ohio in the first round. Its ridiculous.

 

[Soda]

1) What school did you graduate from?

Miami University.

2) To what degree do you cheer/not cheer for Ohio State?

Very big OSU fan. Always have been.

3) Why or why don't you?

My family has been a bunch of OSU fans since my inception. I grew up rooting for the Buckeyes, I root for the state of Ohio and I don't see a reason to take issue with one thing that can unite the entire state. I believe those from Ohio who dislike Ohio State are arrogant and I wouldn't get along with those types of people. I root for Miami over OSU, but they're not in the same class when it comes to sports. People from Canton might like the Charge, but they're Cavaliers fans. Hating OSU because of a different affiliation is like saying that people from Akron should like the Charge more than the Cavs. Immature, if you ask me.

 

[BlueSeats626]

Went to OSU, live and die with the Buckeyes.

I think a lot of the Buckeye Nation sentiment in Cleveland/NE Ohio, has to do with the fact that Cleveland is one of the few major cities without a Big Conference, D1 powerhouse school. Kent and Akron don't measure up.

 

[elcheato]

Good for you, that's how it should be.

So you're making up the rules for fan hood?

I grew up an Ohio State fan and don't have the resources to pay for tuition and a dorm there. Hopefully they never play Cleveland State in football...

 

[Scrote Squad]

I’m an Ohio University alum and, honestly, this question isn’t cut and dry.

I grew up watching Ohio State football. In a REGULAR season game pairing the two, I would probably lean towards wanting OSU to win. There are huge ramifications if OSU were to lose to OU. If OU loses to OSU, not so much. That said, if they somehow got paired with each other in a bowl game, I would undoubtedly cheer for my Alma mater.

Basketball is a different story. I will always cheer for OU, for a myriad of reasons. I was never an OSU basketball fan growing up. Could care less how they do. I will cheer for them in the Final 4, but that’s because they’re from the State of Ohio. I do find it funny, however, the number of people who cheer for the basketball team like they’re diehards even though I can’t recall any of these same people giving a shit before Oden/Conley played there. But I digress…

As for the atmosphere on campus, there’s probably a reason there’s scarlet and gray all over. As a rough estimate of OU’s student makeup, I would say that 40% of students are from Columbus and surrounding suburbs, 35% are from northern Ohio (Akron, CLE, etc) and the final 25% are from Cincinnati. Columbus-born kids are obviously going to be OSU fans and OSU is the hometown team of NE Ohio.

OSU is the big ticket in town, consistently good. OU’s sports are cyclical. People like to cheer for winners. When OU teams are good, there’s tremendous support. But, as we saw with the Cavs last year, it can be tough to be as active a supporter for a putrid team.

 

[Ohio]

I can't stand the people that root for teams they grew up rooting for over their own school. Friend of mine who grew up rooting for Michigan was pulling for them when they played Ohio in the first round. Its ridiculous.

This post sucks.

 

[RealKingofCleve]

How butthurt are these Ohio students/alum that people don't give a shit about Bobcat sports. Lol when Groce leaves for a better job.

 

[-Akronite-]

Not only is it futile if/when they match up, but talking smack will just lead to people calling you "butt-hurt" (my least favorite phrase of all-time quote possibly).

How butthurt are these Ohio students/alum that people don't give a shit about Bobcat sports. Lol when Groce leaves for a better job.

Was this intentional?