'Beat Michigan Week' celebrates one of the greatest rivalries in college football

COLUMBUS – The annual "Beat Michigan" blood drive and pep rally, community service events and another attempt at staging the world's largest pillow fight highlight a few of the "Beat Michigan Week 2005" activities on The Ohio State University campus this week.

The theme for this year's celebration is "185 Miles to Victory" to commemorate the 102nd gridiron meeting between Ohio State and the University of Michigan. The game will be played at 1 p.m. on Saturday (11/19) in Ann Arbor.
The annual blood battle between the two schools is one of the longstanding traditions. The weeklong event gives the Ohio State community the opportunity to donate blood in more than 22 locations across campus. The university that donates the most units to the American Red Cross will be recognized during Saturday's game.

Students will gather tonight (11/14) for the annual "Beat Michigan" pep rally at 7 p.m. in the ballroom of the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. The Ohio State Marching Band, cheerleaders, Brutus Buckeye and some special guests will be present. Free food, prizes and entertainment will be provided.

On Tuesday (11/15), fourth-grade students from Barrington Elementary School in Upper Arlington will sell hand-made Buckeye necklaces and key chains from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Oval. Autographed items by Chris Spielman also will be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research.

Members of the Mortar Board Senior Class Honorary and the Ohio State community will attempt for the second year to break the current Guinness World Record for "Largest Pillow Fight" at 5 p.m. on Wednesday (11/16) on the South Oval. "Wing the Wolverines," a night of fun, entertainment and free chicken wings, will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday (11/17) at the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. A twilight flag football tournament will round out the week at 6:30 p.m. on Friday (11/18) at the Lincoln Tower turf fields.

Student, faculty and staff can support the Buckeyes and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at "Bill's Breakfast for the Big Game" from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday (11/19) at Jesse Owens Recreation Center North, 2151 Neil Ave. The event, named for Bill Hall, vice president for Student Affairs who is battling the disease, will feature free food, special guests, prizes and a large screen television to watch the game. The university community will wear purple ribbons throughout the week to raise awareness on pancreatic cancer.

For a complete list of "Beat Michigan Week" activities log on to http://ohiounion.osu.edu/bmw/