*Written After Watching the Cincy Game*

It's like waking up on a holiday when you were a kid. Sure, you open your eyes and when you look out your window at the world, it looks like any other ordinary day. But then much like the smell of Christmas cookies in the air, or the front yard being littered with eggs, you hear the faint sound of the marching band, which grows louder as game time approaches, telling you this is no ordinary day, this is Game Day at The Ohio State University.
A campus of friends and strangers transforms. As long as you are dawning scarlet and gray you are fellow countrymen, one Buckeye Nation, under Brutus, Tressel, The Shoe. The scarlet and gray we wear is part of the Game Day holiday like the attire selection of any other holiday, you dress for the occasion. As the Best Damn Band in the Land plays "Across the Field" from your personal playlist or blares from the house party across the street, everyone in Buckeye Country chooses from an assortment of scarlet and gray face paint, beads, football shirts, Block O shirts, wigs, capes, hats. Truth is, uniform of choice to go into the gridiron battle, nuts (buckeye necklaces) and a jersey. You'll never go wrong.
Then in line with holiday tradition, there is a parade. The Game Day Parade consists "Hang On Sloopy" playing from every shop and restaurant on High, Lane, or whatever personal parade route that gets you to the Shoe. Buckeyes of all ages walk with pride, representing their Buckeye spirit. You wave, smile, high five, and "O-H" your way in line with your fellow Bucks whom you may not know by name but you know by the shared anticipation as friends.
At the end of the parade route stands the sparkling tree, the brand new bike, The Shoe is that perfect piece of the Game Day holiday and no matter how many times you see it you, when you first lay your eyes on it on Game Day stop, sigh, and take a deep breath before you head towards the gate. It being my last year as an Undergrad at Ohio State, I stood and stared for a little longer than I ever had before.
Everyone's a little friendlier. A smiling ticket taker with Good Afternoon, Enjoy the Game, and giddy thank you from me as I enter a place where there are Buckeye Spirits in the air. Woody's watching from somewhere and the presence of past greats, Archie, Eddie, Krenzel in the very stadium we are entering electrifies all who enter. I have a feeling that even those visiting Buckeye Country feel it too.
Like waiting in line for a thrill ride you race up stairs, sometimes flights and flights. That climb not only to C deck, but then to row 38 of C deck is long, but you are thrilled by every minute of it, it's after all part ride. You find your seat and look down at the Buckeye Nation's battle field, no matter where you sit, you are on the front lines, and the Bucks can't do it with you screaming the words to the Buckeye Battle Cry, Stadium Ohio, and the "OOOOOOOOO-H-I-O" at kick off. Your head is always in the game being played, but you can't help thinking about when this field will become the Buckeye Family Thanksgiving Table, main course, Wolverine. When you call BS on an unsportsmanlike conduct call, the old couple next to you agrees. "First Down Ohio State!" are four of my favorite words. Touchdowns, long drives, field goals, means hugs and screaming in the arms of anyone around you. Screaming so loud and hoping so hard, 105,000 strong, it’s dizzying.
In the end, we thank the players and the Man in the sweater vest running the show and just like in the end of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, arms on the shoulders of the Buckeye next to you. Bells toll and you sing the words that again, going into 4th year have never meant so much. So many memories of the singing that song, from when I learn the words at convocation, and every Game Day since. We walk out bells still ringing and everyone calls their family, because when you go to Ohio State, your family not only cares about the score, they were watching along with you, together, like family should be on holidays.
You take the victory lap home with your Buckeye family, discussing every minute of the action over and over again and how eager we all are for next game day the next Game Day. Back home there will be brauts and beer and other football games to watch, but no matter the outcome the other games you are happy, knowing no one else in the country has a Game Day that can compare to those known by an Ohio State Buckeye. Go Bucks!