Ohio Stadium as it appeared Oct. 5, 1991, when the Buckeyes defeated Wisconsin 31-16. I took this photo from the roof of Morrill Tower, located adjacent to the stadium. According to OSU records, a total of 94,221 attended this game. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

By Ken Drenten

Ohio Stadium is well known as the home of The Ohio State University Buckeyes football team, one of the most successful college football teams in the nation. The stadium was originally built in the shape of a horseshoe in 1922.

I’ve attended a number of football games there over the years. The earliest games I can remember were with my father in the 1970s, who taught at the university.

Other memorable games I’ve witnessed include one in 1988 when the Buckeyes pulled out a thrilling come-from-behind win against LSU, and an evening game against the University of Cincinnati during the Buckeyes’ national championship season of 2014.

In a 2016 game against Tulsa, a strong storm hit just before halftime, delaying the start of the second half and sending most of us fans to safe shelter. I’ve also visited when Ohio Stadium hosted the Ohio Special Olympics Summer Games in June on occasions when the Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium was not available.

Probably my most memorable visit was viewing a game from the top of nearby Morrill Tower on Oct. 5, 1991. On this occasion I took numerous photos of Ohio Stadium while the Buckeyes played the Wisconsin Badgers. A somewhat nervous OSU custodial employee provided access to the roof and kept close watch on me as I stood on the roof. It’s highly unlikely anyone could get the university’s permission to do this today.

Ohio Stadium for an evening game against the University of Cincinnati in September 2014. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

Ohio Stadium held its largest-ever crowd of 110,045 on Nov. 26, 2016, to watch the second-ranked Buckeyes defeat hated rivals and third-ranked Michigan in a thrilling 30-27 double-overtime game.

With its present seating capacity of 102,780, Ohio Stadium is the fourth-largest on-campus facility in the nation. 

You do not need to have tickets to a football game in order to visit Ohio Stadium. VIP Ohio Stadium tours can be scheduled throughout the week on non-game days. Fans wanting to tour Ohio Stadium and see the home locker room, band center, press box, stadium clubs and playing field can purchase timed tickets in advance at OhioStadiumTours.com.

Since the opening game against Ohio Wesleyan on Oct. 7, 1922, some 40 million fans have streamed through the fabled stadium’s gates.

Prior to the construction of Ohio Stadium, the Buckeyes played games at Ohio Field, once located at High Street and Woodruff Avenue. The demand for a new stadium came about after Charles “Chic” Harley became the Buckeyes’ first three-time All-American in 1916, 1917 and 1919.

Businessmen quickly raised money for a new stadium, with almost all of the $1.3 million raised through private donations. Construction began in 1921 and was completed in 1922, with an original capacity of 66,210.

Ohio Stadium has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974. It has borne witness to many famous Ohio State athletes and coaches over the years, including legendary football coach Woody Hayes; Jesse Owens, winner of four Olympic Gold Medals; and Archie Griffin, college football’s only two-time Heisman Trophy winner.

The “Shoe” is also home to the dramatic ramp entrance of TBDBITL — The Ohio State University Marching Band; Script Ohio; the Victory Bell and Block O.

Since the late 1980s, the stadium has also hosted numerous music concerts with performers including Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, U2, Billy Joel, Elton John, Genesis, Beyonce, George Strait, Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton and Kenny Chesney.

As an OSU alumnus, I would be committing a grave wrong if I didn’t include this phrase, especially just days before Ohio State plays its hated rival from That State Up North — “GO BUCKS! BEAT MICHIGAN!”

Ken Drenten is creator and editor of Dusty-Tires.com, a travel blog for out-of-the-ordinary places in Ohio.

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