Networking at the pregame tailgate was part of Saturday's events
By Becky Nelson ('12)
The Ohio Bobcat Football team hit the road Saturday for the first time in 2010 with a trip to Columbus to face the Ohio State Buckeyes. Right behind them were the classes of 2011 and 2012, along with many friends and alumni.
After an early wake-up call and departure from Athens, the Bobcat faithful rolled onto the Ohio State campus and parked next to some very excited Buckeye fans – at least, they were excited until they realized that their new neighbors were, in fact, not the Ohio University Marching 110.
As the sun warmed up what had been a cool and foggy morning, the crowd of green and white grew quickly. Some of the alumni that came out included Mike Fisher ('97), Brian Timm ('84), Victoria Trapp ('99), Wade Martin ('07), Brian Sells ('91), Amanda Fark (’08), Whitney Byrd ('08), Joe Foley (’04), Justin Hunt (’10), Maura Murphy (’08), and birthday girl Christina Wright (’10). As a sign of good sportsmanship and the true nature of the Ohio family, a few red shirts were even allowed to join the tailgating ranks with minimal heckling.
Having enjoyed a few hours to meet and mingle, toss the football, and eat some delicious treats, the group began to move toward the stadium with high hopes and lots of well-wishes from all the other green shirts bobbing along in the sea of red and gray.
Things started out well for the visiting Bobcats inside the now very warm Horseshoe. The Marching 110 performed to strong applause from all fans in attendance, regardless of school affiliation, and Rufus the Bobcat caused quite a stir by taking Brutus Buckeye down with a solid open field tackle.
The energy kept up as the Buckeyes kicked off to an excited Ohio University football team. Momentum shifted, however, after a huge Bobcat return was called back and the first offensive series stalled deep in Ohio territory. The Bobcats would score late in the game, but could not hold off the number two ranked Buckeyes.
A bus ride, some water, and a few sunburns later, a tired crew pulled back into Athens exhausted from a full day of tailgating, cheering, and networking. Despite the tough loss, the game day atmosphere was at its finest and made for a great experience for all.
