Eleven Warriors

I really became a fan when I got to go to my first game in 1996.  I was just 9 years old at that time, and I took a real interest in Buckeye football ever since.  2002 was so special, though, and that's probably when I became a diehard for life. 

My Grandfather graduated from the school of dentistry and two of my uncles went to OSU. My Uncle Tom lived in the one of the dorms in The Shoe as a matter of fact. There was always buckeye talk and atmosphere in my family growing up.  I watched football casually growing up, wore a Woody Hayes black cap for most of my childhood and idolized Eddie George but the '97 Rose Bowl hooked me for life.  Joe Cool and the Buckeyes in that come-back win was something for my young eyes to behold.

  Little did I know what '98 had in store for us. So I learned to accept the highs with the lows at an early age.

I really have no recollection of "becoming" a Buckeye fan.  I just have been since I was old enough to watch a game.  I credit my father for that.

I remember watching games with my dad when i was younger, but i didn't turn into a dieheard fan until my first game at the Shoe. Oct 2001, the Buckeyes upset then ranked Northwestern and Jonathan Wells had a 60-70 yard TD run that made the place go nuts. At that point I went from a fan to an absolute borderline psycho fan. My ex went to law school at TOSU so we had season tickets for the next 3 years, and that was just an amazing time. I still remeber the Gamble pick 6 vs Penn State like it happened yesterday.

I started following OSU football when I moved to Columbus in '96, though I do distinctly remember Eddie George winning the Heisman the year prior.  I was seven; I still remember my mother telling me--when she first told me we were moving--that Columbus is "Where the Buckeyes play".  I still remember the Rose Bowl in January '97, and crying when we lost to Michigan.

My friends--who lived in Columbus, Ohio--were all Michigan fans (though, I suppose it was a good time to be contrarian, considering they were owning us on an annual basis), and I think they about convinced me once to switch allegiance--I was in elementary school, and I didn't really understand the treason I was contemplating--which lasted all of about 5 minutes.

I really got into it in the 2002 offseason.  That's when I started really following Ohio State, and what a wonderful season to pick!  From our trouncing of "upset special" Texas Tech, all the way to Cie Grant's corner blitz on fourth-and-goal, I'll never forget that season.

I started loving the Buckeyes back when Eddie George was taking that Heisman.  I would have been 7/8 I believe back in 94/95... He was my favorite player and I haven't missed an OSU game since, except for when I lived in Iowa City and Troy Smith and company came to town ranked #1... I had to be 2 hrs away in Des Moines for my sisters wedding... the same night, and time as kick off!!  So since then I said I would never miss a game again...... and because of that, I missed 2 of my buddies weddings I was suppose to be in because I was "sick" haaa!

I'm a Boston-born Buckeye. OSU had always been on my radar considering I had an uncle and some cousins who were OSU fans by virtue of having lived in Gahanna for a couple of years. My earliest OSU memory is the '97 Rose Bowl. When I transferred to OSU in the fall of 2004, I was of the mindset that the Sox-Yanks rivalry was the epicenter of the sporting world. I thought that NOTHING was better than baseball.

Then I went to my first OSU game that fall. I couldn't even tell you who they played. I was blown away at the sights, the sounds, etc. of a game in the Horseshoe. My thoughts after the game basically revolved around, "What the hell did I just witness"? Have been hooked ever since.

edit: prior to my first year at OSU, the first game in which I really rooted for OSU was the 2002 NCG. I wouldn't say that I was obsessed with OSU at that point, but dammit did I want OSU to beat the hell out of Miami.

My dad is a Wolverine and my mom is a Buckeye. Growing up I was exposed to both sides of the rivalry. I'm sad to say that there's photographic proof of a very young me in Wolverine gear. What can I say? I was young and confused and I just didn't get the rivalry at that young age. Besides, my dad exerted a lot of attention on me becoming a weasel.

We were living in Ohio in 1994 and I was about nine years old when my dad grounded me for something. I can't remember what it was, but knowing me I probably deserved it. However, at the time I was really upset because I had been really excited about playing my first game of laser tag at my friend's party.

So instead of playing lasertag, I spent one fateful college football saturday watching some college football with my dad. Ohio State went on to win that game, one of the very few ones during the Cooper era. And my dad was getting pissed as the game went on and he was pretty steamed when the game ended with an UM loss. I was pissed at my dad so at the time anything that pissed him off was something I was willing to embrace. From that day forward I became a Buckeye fan.

For Lou, remember back then, when a game was on TV there was hardly anyone out doing anything.  Streets would be bare for the most part because it was one of the few times that everyone could watch a game.  We lived on a fairly busy street when I was young and it was empty for 3 hours.  Once the game ended, life picked back up again where it left off.

@Niblick

Yeah, the Earle Bruce headband game was huge for me too. Thats when I went from being the OSU fan I'd been for five years to being an OSU fan until death.

We moved to Columbus in 1970 when I was 7. I saw my first Buckeye game in person during the '70 season against Duke, and I remember the '71 Rose Bowl. My dad worked at OSU and had season tickets so i went to a ton of games during the 70s (then i got my own ticket as a student during the 80s).  I probably got hooked during the '72 season. (there will always be a place in my heart for the 72-75 Buckeyes - Archie, Pete Johnson, Corny Greene, Neal Colzie, et al).  I havent been to a home game (or back to Columbus) in about 20 years, but cant remember the last Buckeye game I missed on TV (football or basketball).  

First game in '68, MSU in the 'Shoe with my dad. The Buckeyes went 10-0 and beat OJ and the Trojans in the RB. Done and done.

Great thread topic!

I'm probably one of the "old guys" on here.  I grew up near Cleveland and suffered through the years where there werent 10 ESPN channels you could watch and the Buckeyes were only on TV a couple times a year.  I watched them when I could and had a Sunday morning ritual of memorizing stats and recaps in the Plain Dealer.

Moved down to Columbus in '91 and have soaked up all the OSU coverage down here ever since.  Lots of great memories and heros over that time...

I was born at University Hospital in Columbus in 1970. I was delivered nearly a month late & spend a good deal of time in an incubator there. While growing up, my first memories include my mother reminding me almost every day that I was lucky to have been born at OSU, that I wouldn't be alive otherwise & how I had better be a Buckeye & go to school there...in a loving way but she was also dead serious.

In 75 - my step father took me to The Horseshoe, he worked for OSU in some capacity or another - I think he was a member of the janitorial staff. I was in awe to say the least. He took me onto the field & told me all about Archie Griffin & what he was doing that year. He told me that practice had just ended & showed me a footprint in the grass (obviously it was still a grass field at the time) which he said was Archie's. I choose to believe to this day even that it was his footprint. He then introduced me to a member of the coaching staff who talked to me for a while about Ohio State & other things...I just remeber that he was a super nice guy. I don't remember who the man was but he was younger & definitely not Coach Hayes. Either way - I literally haven't been the same since. I have been a diehard Buckeye since that day & always will be!

Birth

Ok, for all my fellow 'mature' friends out here.  How many of you remember watching the replays of the games Sat night and Sun morning on WOSU?   Even though we listened to the game on the radio, my dad and I would still watch the replays to see what the big plays looked liked in comparison to the picture that was painted in your mind by the announcers.

@ NIBLICK and CPLUNK:  I approve these messages.

I was a freshman in high school.... Yea, I started kind of late. I played football since sixth grade, but never really watched college or nfl. I did not start getting into the games until my freshman year.... And what year was my freshman year of highschool, you may ask? 2002-2003!!!!!! The best year to start paying attention to college football and watching Buckeye Games on TV. I was hooked after that year.... HOOKED!!!

I unfortunately was raised down in Florida despite my whole family being from the midwest. I despised Florida teams, Miami FSU and UF. Even Pro teams.

In 1986 my older brother attended OSU and I looked up to him a lot. He was a big fan so I became a big fan. Didn't really take complete hold until 1994-1995, the Eddie George years. Been hooked ever since.

I became an OSU fan at birth/by inheritance. The first game I really remember getting excited about/caring about was the 97 Rose Bowl. I was 12, that game was amazing and I really only remember the end. There were a few games before that that I watched with Dad but hadn't really caught the bug at that point.

When my fandom became rabid was the '02 season. It was my senior year of High School and I had gameday parties every Saturday at my house with my friends (with the exception of the UC game, thus the reason that game was so close).

I had to work the night of the '02 title game. I am still convinced it went to 2 OT so I could get home and see the end. I would come back from delivering a pizza and run in to the back room and hold the antenna in one hand and a fork in the other so I could hear on our crappy radio. I made it home for the 2nd overtime and saw OSU win its first NC of my lifetime. My brother and my dad and I all jumped up and down hugging and screaming. From that point on I was hooked.

I'd say around 1978 or 79. 

1968 for me. I remember watching Rex Kern and Jim Otis beat USC in the Rose Bowl! I attended OSU in the 70's and met and married my husband there. We will celebrate 40 years together in April. It is wonderful to share your passion with your best friend!

Most of my family went to Ohio State but wasn't hardcore fans so I had to discover my passion for being an OSU fan on my own. One night I went to go visit my grandmother, I saw a Sports Illustrated cover with the photo below and I was instantly a fan after reading about the title run. I've been bless to be born in Ohio, have alumni in my family and be an alumnus myself. 

1968, my dad was a big Buckeye fan and I was 9 yrs old. I remember watching the Bucks beat USC in the Rose Bowl. My last name is Kerns and my first name begins with R. I have been mistakenly called Rex by many people over the years because of Rex Kern. He was my favorite player along with Jack Tatum. My dad passed away 5 years later at the young age of 40. The 1969 Rose Bowl is one of the best memories I have with my dad. I am so glad I've been able to "pass the torch" to my little guy. My son was 2 years old and by my side when we watched the Bucks take down the mighty "U" for another (long overdue) NC. Although he won't remember that game (and all the yelling I was doing) he is definitely hooked on the Buckeyes! I have been fortunate to watch several great Buckeye players over the years and a few "special" players. I tell my son to enjoy watching Braxton while you can, he could be your generation's Archie!  Time flies when your having fun, it's hard to believe that back in the day freshman couldn't play and the Bucks were only on tv once, maybe twice, a year!

I was born into it as many are. Spent my early years rooting for the bucks by default, but it was  the '02 championship season that I started watching games more closely and the success of that year cemented my fandom.

Well living in Ohio almost my whole life didn't hurt, but  when my dad and his friend Pete Stinchcomb (1919 All American O lineman) and myself went to see Ohio State vs then number 1 Purdue with Mike Phipps at qb, Leroy Keyes at rb and to add to that the tickets were some where near midfield and only about 8 or 9 rows off the surface, I was hooked. Understand I couldn't see a thing but I loved it and reacted to what I heard. Maybe this doesn't qualify as actually "seeing" a game but there you have it. Ohio State also won that day. I think that puts it sometime in 1968. I've never been back, but always wanted to

1986.  My husband ended up going to OSU for dental school in '88.  Been a season ticket holder since 1996.  I still get goosebumps entering the 'shoe the first home game every season.  Now my children have no choice but to be Buckeyes also, even if they attend school someplace else. 

The stories in this thread are great.  Thanks for the forum topic @ LOUGROZA!

I was born and raised in Houston, TX...which is probably why I do have a specific moment when I became a fan.

My Dad was a Buckeye...but my route to Ohio State, as a fan and a student, only really began when he took me to my first game when I was 11. It was in 1995, and I was introduced to Eddie George, Terry Glenn, Orlando Pace, Korey Stringer, and Shawn Springs completely HOUSING Iowa. We were up 56-0 (I believe Iowa had 0) at halftime.

The rest, as they say, is history.

My dad is an OSU alum so I was certainly born and raised an OSU fan. Theres even a baby picture of me with an OSU hat on. Plus, my dad has taken my brother and I to a football game every year since we were about 5 so I'm sure that had some influence haha

Ever since I can remember. My whole family grew up in Columbus living on what is now campus housing and High street and went to Ohio State at some point or another. I was the youngest in the fam with an older brother 12 years older who was a rabid fan. Every one of my older siblings went to Ohio State. I never really had much of a choice. I grew up on the other side of the Olentangy and it was just everywhere all the time. Once I got old enough to start understanding the game and remembering the players, etc. it ratcheted up another notch. Then my father, brother, grandfather and I went out to Pasadena for the '97 Rose Bowl when I was 11 and it struck me even more just how much it meant. It's been all downhill since then. My dad took me to my first tsun game in 2000. We went to several games including tsun in '02 and that season cranked the fandom up yet another notch. Then actually attending school at tOSU and going to every home game and traveling all over the country for the away games was another huge step as far as my passion for the university. My dad often says that one of his bigger regrets is raising my brother and I to be such rabid fans because he thinks it consumes us too much and we're too invested in it (yet he can't help himself). I've been to at least one game every year since I can remember (age 4 or 5 or whatever) except for 2010 when I lived abroad for the year (but still didn't miss watching a single game obviously, haha). I was actually amazed at how many Buckeyes I met while living on the other side of the world. 

Anywho, I'd just say it was ingrained and nurtured ever since I can remember, but my fandom took several steps up to get to the level that I'm at now. Now every fall saturday feels like I'm an 8 year old on Christmas morning and everyday otherwise is some sort of countdown.

The memory of seeing my first game in '68 with my dad is bittersweet.  I was 15 at the time and we were not particularly close. He played golf with Jack Nichlaus and got the tickets from him. I was totally shocked when he asked me to go with him as we were barely speaking to each other. My mom told me later he wanted to try and have a better relationship with me and thought that going to the game would help. After the game we went to the Scioto CC for lunch and I got to meet the Golden Bear. I could barely eat my club sandwich I was so excited. Sadly my relationship with dad never got much better but that day reminds me that we both tried.

Well said, Lou.

Lou, while my relationship with my dad was strained, I am able to see as an adult the qualities that I inherited from him, becoming a Buckeye fan being just one of them. For years I stubbornly refused to acknowledge his contributions in shaping my values, but eventually I did have to come to terms with how much he influenced my life in positive ways.  Mark Twain sums it up best:

"When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years"

So when I was just a baby my mother and father were going to a game and brought me along.  They were told at the gate that I had to have my own ticket to come in while my parents argued that I was just going to be on my mother's lap.  Finally my mother held me out to the ticket taker and said "Fine, you watch him".  Needless to say I attended my first Ohio State game while sitting on my mother's lap.  (Side note: I assume my mother was just bluffing but she never did give me a straight answer)  In any case, to answer the original question I was born and raised a Buckeye.  I can honestly say that I have been a Buckeye as long as I have been aware.

Both of my parents were OSU grads, so I suppose I had no choice, but I doubt I would have chosen anything else anyway.  It was "locked in for life" when we, as a family, would spend saturday afternoons with the OSU game on the radio.   I can see me laying on the floor, my brother in a chair, dad on the couch and mom ironing clothes as the Bucks rolled on to victory.  Back in the pre-cable days, if there were 3 games on tv on a saturday, you were lucky.   Radio was our only option for the majority of OSU games.  

If we were really lucky, there would be a 10 pm saturday night replay on UHF Channel 25 (PBS in Cleveland).  I was always afraid I would fall asleep before the replay as a young kid, but most times I would watch the game in it's entirety.   Someone else mentioned it earlier, but it was oddly interesting to compare the tv version to the version that was in your head from the afternoon radio broadcast.

OSU-Michigan games were of course my favorite.  My dad was always calm and collected, but he really had a distaste for Michigan and that was the one day a year I could count on him to get pissed off about something.   Strange to think of your father getting pissed as a good memory, but it was just so odd to see, and it validated my growing hated for that stupid team up north as well.

Great topic, and very fun to read everyone's back stories.

I have always been a Buckeye fan as seen by pictures of me as small child wearing shirts or hats! That being said, I really became a fan during the time Chris Spielman was on the team! I was only 8 but I clearly remember being obsessed with wanting to see him play every week! I have been hooked ever since!

I have found myself coming back to this thread all the time.  The varied stories are great, young and old.  It has been mentioned a few times by others, it's neat to hear how everyone became an OSU fan, whether by birth or out of spite because they were grounded (one of my favorites).

Upvoted everyone I had missed earlier and even got a nasty message saying I already voted for somebody.  What can I say, I was on a roll...

I'm not from Ohio and never attended tOSU. I moved to Columbus in '80 and I married my wife, who is a local, in '83 and then I became a Buckeye fan.

I was born a Buckeye, Brown, Indian, Cav, and Catholic.  I'm now a Lutheran. 

Being born and raised in Columbus, it just kind of happened even though neither of my parents are fans (Mom went to Illinois, Dad went to Purdue).

Now I'm attending OSU, and I couldn't imagine going to another school for undergrad.

I was born and raised in Columbus and my earliest memory of my Buckeyes was the National Championship game in 2002.  Thanks to my dad for letting me stay up late that night.

How about it Hail & M Man ?  What brought you 2 to Buckeye nation... :)

I hail originally from Detroit, Michigan (oh no not Michigan).  I was raised to be a sparty lover, so I had the whole let's hate the wolverines thing down.  Anyways I was in high school and I hadn't really watched that much college football up until then and I had this friend who was a huge domer fan.  This was around the time that the bucks and irish met in the Fiesta Bowl once the game started I became amazed at watching those awesome uniforms, silver helmets, buckeye leafs.  Also spiting my Father (the one wolverine fan in my household) was an added bonus too.  I just fell in love with everything, most notably though those teams that tressel ran, I still love the style of play.  So basically I am Brady Hoke reversed.

When you're born in Columbus, you're automatically a Buckeye. But when did I know I was a fan? 1988. I was 4. lol

Are there any Buckeye fans that weren't born in the great state of Ohio?

Lived in Ohio all of my life, from northeast to southwest and small town.  Rooted for tsun from early 60's to the beginning of 1971.  My older brother played for tsun and of course I supported him (interestingly they only sold out the home games vs MSU and TOSU).  Woody did not recruit him.  In January 1971, as a senior in high school I was shunned by Bo, and recruited by Woody. Thus started the some of the best years of my life.  My loyalties were immediately straightened out and I have been in the light ever since.  My family and my brother's family continue to have a great rivalry ever since, and while the Tressel years were a lot of fun, the Cooper years were the inverse.  I am greatly anticipating the UFM years, especially for that game.  No better experience than a game in the horseshoe, but also fun flying the flag at away games.  BTW I thoroughly enjoy this site and the contributors. 

I've only been a Buckeye fan since 2010 when I started as a freshman here. Being from Texas, I grew up a UTEP Miners fan, and also rooting for Texas (mostly against Oklahoma and Texas A&M). Now that I'm here in Ohio, more than half the stuff I wear now is Buckeye gear and I've even got my parents hooked on being Ohio State fans.

My dad was attending OSU when I was born, so it was never actually a choice. I went to my first game before I could talk.