'Beat Michigan Week' begins Sunday

COLUMBUS – "Beat Michigan Week" celebrates the spirit of the Buckeyes and the rivalry between The Ohio State University and The University of Michigan.

This year, the 104th meeting between the two schools will be marked by events that promote Buckeye pride, tradition and sportsmanship leading up to the noon kickoff Saturday (11/17) in Ann Arbor. A complete list of Beat Michigan Week events is at http://www.ohiounion.osu.edu/bmw/.

Highlights include:

Sunday (11/11)

•Buckeye Wolverine Challenge for Life, through Nov. 16. Buckeye fans can show their spirit by committing or confirming the decision to be an organ or tissue donor. Go to buckeyesforlife.com to join the donor registry through the Buckeyes for Life website. The challenge will be going on from now until November 16th.

•Beat Michigan Blood Drive, through Nov. 16, at the former Longs Bookstore and various sites and times throughout the week. Ohio State and Michigan students will donate the "Gift of Life" as part of the long-standing blood battle. The winner will be announced Nov. 17 at halftime during the OSU-Michigan football game. SEE: http://www.bloodsaveslives.org/mediacenter.cfm?id=79

•Scarlet and Gray Pledge. The 5th annual Scarlet and Gray Pledge kicks off in the residence halls to encourage students to act responsibly before, during and after the football game. Sponsored by the Residence Halls Advisory Council (RHAC), the weeklong initiative promotes the ideals of sportsmanship, tradition and civic responsibility. After signing the pledge, students receive a scarlet and gray lapel pin to wear throughout the week and on game day to encourage others to act responsibly. Students can sign the pledge in residence halls all week, at the banner signing Nov. 13, and at the Pep Rally Nov. 15.

•Tau Beta Pi Beat Michigan 5k, noon, Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Rd. Tau Beta Pi is holding it's 5th Annual 5K race to raise money for Neighborhood Services, Inc. and a local food pantry for the campus area. Registration begins at 11 a.m., the race begins at noon.

Monday (11/12)
To observe Veterans Day, Ohio State classes are cancelled and offices are closed.

Tuesday (11/13)
•Banner Signing, noon to 2 p.m., the Oval. A banner reading "Good Luck Takin' it to the House" will be available for all students to sign to offer a good luck message and show support. The banner will be delivered to the team Tuesday night.

•PB& Jam Extravaganza, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., OSU Hillel, 46 E. 16th Ave. Students across the university community will assist in making more than 4,000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to donate to shelters and food pantries in greater Columbus.

•Building a Tradition, One Can at a Time, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Recreational and Physical Activity Center (RPAC), 337 W. 17th Ave. Students are invited to help build a Block O Sculpture made of recycled cans.

•The Greatest Rivalry in Sports...in Concert, 7:30 to 10 p.m., Mershon Auditorium, 1871 N. High St. Students are invited to join the Columbus Symphony for a pep rally featuring the OSU Marching Band, Men's Glee Club, and varsity cheerleaders.

Wednesday (11/14)
•Michigan Avenue is renamed Buckeye Way, 12:30 p.m., 777 Michigan Avenue (APCO Industries). Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman will proclaim Michigan Ave. to be known as Buckeye Way during Beat Michigan Week. Ohio State President Gordon Gee and Archie Griffin, will lead a pep rally following the ceremony. President Gee will be available to media for Q&A.

Thursday (11/15)
•Rally Around the Scarlet and Gray, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Ohio Stadium. Pep Rally invites fans to show your Buckeye pride and go nuts before our team heads off to play Michigan

•Lose the Blue, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Ohio Stadium. The first 200 students to bring a piece of blue clothing to donate to charity at the Pep Rally get a free "Lose the Blue" T-shirt.

Friday (11/16)
•Rivalry Run, 4 a.m. to finish in Ann Arbor. Members of Phi Gamma Delta at Ohio State and Michigan have put on the run for the past three years. The Ohio State fraternity brothers will start at 4 a.m. with the game ball and run it, relay style, for 93 miles to Findlay – arriving in Findlay at around 6 p.m. The Buckeyes will hand off the ball to the Michigan fraternity brothers who will run it the rest of the approximately 93 miles to Ann Arbor in time to get there before the game. The event raises money for the American Cancer Society.SEE: www.therivalryrun.org

Saturday (11/17)
•Bill's Brunch before the Big Game, 10 a.m., Recreational and Physical Activity Center, 337 W. 17th Ave. Held in memory of Bill Hall, the late vice president for student affairs, the game-day brunch will feature activities that support pancreatic cancer education and research. A viewing party follows with more food at halftime.