Ross Bjork and the Ohio State athletic department have reimagined the Buckeyes' gameday atmosphere with a new initiative: Tradition Evolved.
“Tradition at Ohio State is our North Star,” Bjork said in a Tuesday statement. “As this process unfolded, we wanted to protect and honor our tradition while also evolving it with purpose, passion, and with Buckeye Nation at the heart of it.”
The Ohio State athletic director further addressed Tradition Evolved in a press conference at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on Tuesday. Here are the best news and notes:
- “We really started reviewing all the gameday elements last fall.” Bjork said Ohio State adopted the name Tradition Evolved, which “just stuck” early on. The point of Tradition Evolved, Bjork said, is “to honor tradition but not think traditionally.”
- Bjork said he gave Ohio State assistant director of fan experience and promotions Caleb Clark “full autonomy” in the creative process for Tradition Evolved. The athletic department also brought in industry professionals as consultants to help the Buckeyes throughout the creative process.
- Bjork said Archie Griffin will be Ohio State’s “Victory Bell Ringer” for the Buckeyes’ season opener against Texas. Bjork said Griffin will help select future Victory Bell Ringers, which he envisions as former Ohio State football players, famous Ohioans, celebrities and more.
- Fans can now earn Buckeye Leaves for helping the football team during games. If the opposing team commits a false start, fails to convert on third down or turns the ball over on downs, a Buckeye Leaf will appear on the scoreboard. “I think that will be really, really cool,” he said.
- Bjork said Ohio State will incorporate a new in-stadium soundtrack for gamedays. The soundtrack’s headliner will be Caamp’s Ohio, which Bjork said “will really rally fans across the great state of Ohio.” Bjork said Hang On Sloopy and Carmen Ohio will still be an integral part of the soundtrack, with the former playing after the third quarter and the latter playing after the game.
- When asked why Ohio State has adopted these changes, Bjork said, “It felt like we were missing something for people to grab onto.”
- Bjork said Ohio State still wants the Victory Bell to signify a win for the Buckeyes, but the athletic department also wants to see it be a “ramp up” toward Ohio State beating its opponents.
- Bjork said Ohio State is hoping to have some new technology, including a video board and ribbon board, installed at Ohio Stadium before the 2026 season. If it's not added by 2026, Bjork said it will be added before the 2027 season.
- Bjork said Ohio State generates tremendous revenue year after year. Still, the Buckeyes’ gameday environment does involve the question, “How do we monetize?” because Ohio State has to balance 36 varsity programs, each of them competing at the highest level of their respective sports.
- Bjork acknowledged that Ohio State’s frequent noon games played a role in the Buckeyes being proactive with their gameday atmosphere. However, he said Ohio State wants to create an environment that can withstand kickoff times and is built to last. “We can’t predict game times. We can’t control it. We can give input, but the times are the times. … If it’s a noon game, 3:30 or 7:30, it shouldn’t matter. Here’s the platform, here’s the tradition.”
