Michigan Week celebrates college football's greatest rivalry
COLUMBUS – The annual Ohio State-Michigan Blood Battle, one of the world’s largest outdoor pillow fights, comedian Lewis Black and a campus-wide barbeque, pep rally and dodge ball tournament highlight Beat Michigan Week 2004, which begins Sunday (11/14) on The Ohio State University campus.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Rivalry 101: Michigan Gets Schooled,” commemorating the 101st gridiron meeting between Ohio State and the University of Michigan. The game will be played at 1 p.m. on Saturday (11/20) in Ohio Stadium.
The blood drive is one of the long-standing traditions held during “Beat Michigan Week.” Benefiting the American Red Cross, both campuses compete for bragging rights and game-day recognition based on the highest number of units donated. Ohio State faculty, staff, students and campus visitors may donate Sunday through Friday (11/19) at various locations on campus.
Buckeyes will attempt to challenge the Guinness Book of World Records by hosting the “Largest Pillow Fight Known to Humankind” at 5 p.m. on Wednesday (11/17) on the South Oval. Students will need to bring their own pillows to the potentially record-setting event. The current record is 647 people.
Comedian Lewis Black, a frequent guest on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” will present his “Rules of Engagement Tour” at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday (11/18) at The Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. The free show, only available to Ohio State students, is sold out.
Events continue Friday (11/19) with a campus “Barbeque the Blue” cookout and pep rally that begins at 5:30 p.m. on the South Oval.
Just before Saturday’s kickoff, students will begin building a spirit tunnel at noon between St. John Arena and Ohio Stadium.
After the game, a campus-wide dodge ball tournament, sponsored Undergraduate Student Government, will begin at 9:30 p.m. on the north and south campus basketball courts.
A complete list of “Beat Michigan Week” events follows. For additional information log on to http://www.ohiounion.com/bmw/Calendar.asp
Sunday (11/14)
Ohio State-Michigan Blood Battle, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Newman Center, 64 W. Lane Ave. – The Ohio State-Michigan blood battle enters its final week. With help from the American Red Cross, Ohio State faculty, staff and students, and campus visitors can donate blood at more than 30 locations across campus. The school that donates the most units wins.
Trash the Blue Recycling Drive – Students from residence halls and Greek organizations will collect recycling items throughout the week for top honors and prizes.
Beat Michigan 5K, 1 p.m., Dreese Laboratory, 2015 Neil Ave. - The Beat Michigan 5K is held annually the weekend before the Michigan football game to raise funds for charity.
RHAC Bowl Flag Football Tournament, 2 to 9 p.m., Turf practice fields - Students forming their own co-ed teams will compete for prizes. The turf fields are located between Morrill and Lincoln Towers.
Monday (11/15)
Ohio State-Michigan Blood Battle, 10 p.m. to 8 p.m., various campus locations.
Good Luck Bucks Banner Signing, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Ohio Union west lawn, 1739 N. High St. – The university community can extend its well wishes to the Buckeyes by signing a life-sized banner. Children from Barrington Elementary School in Upper Arlington will provide a recorder concert featuring Ohio State music to serenade signers.
Buckeye Family Feud, 7 to 10 p.m., Woody’s Place, Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. – Student organizations will play their own version of the game show “Family Feud” with questions derived from the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry.
Tuesday (11/16)
Ohio State-Michigan Blood Battle, 2 to 8 p.m., various campus locations.
Stomp on Michigan, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Ohio Union west lawn, 1739 N. High St. – Students will put their shoes in paint and stomp all over the largest piece of carpet shaped like that state from “Up North.”
Wing the Wolverines, 7 to 11 p.m., Ohio Union ballrooms, 1739 N. High St. - This annual event gives students a chance to sample free wings and help crown one wing vendor as the provider of the “Best Wings on Campus.”
Wednesday (11/17)
Ohio State-Michigan Blood Battle, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., various campus locations.
SBC Yahoo Promotional Tour, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Ohio Union west lawn, 1739 N. High St. - An SBC truck equipped with interactive video games will be on the Ohio Union front lawn to entertain students during class breaks.
The Largest Pillow Fight Known to Humankind, 5 p.m., South Oval – The university community will try to try to break the world record and make Ohio State home to the largest pillow fight recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Chalk One Up for the Buckeyes, 7 p.m., various campus locations – Student organizations will be given a bucket of chalk to help wallpaper sidewalks with good luck messages.
Thursday (11/18)
Ohio State-Michigan Blood Battle, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., various locations on campus.
SBC Yahoo Promotional Tour, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Ohio Union west lawn, 1739 N. High St.
OUAB Comedy Show, 7:30 p.m., Ohio Union ballrooms, 1739 N. High St. - Lewis Black, from Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” will perform in a free show for Ohio State students. TICKETS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE.
Wolverine Roast, Midnight, Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, 81 E. 15th Ave. – Members of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity will serve “Wolverine Burgers” to benefit Canine Companions for Independence, a non-profit organization that trains dogs to assist people with disabilities.
Friday (11/19)
Ohio State-Michigan Blood Battle, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., various locations on campus.
Barbeque the Blue Pep Rally, 5:30 to 9 p.m., South Oval – A first-ever Barbeque the Blue cookout will precede the annual “Beat Michigan” pep rally featuring The Ohio State Marching Band, cheerleaders, and Brutus Buckeye.
Beat Michigan Dance and Late Night Party, 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 30 W. Woodruff Ave. – Event will include food, singing and dancing.
Jericho Road Breakfast, 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., Summit United Methodist Church, E. 16th St. at Indianola Ave. - Breakfast will be served for late-niters.
Saturday (11/20)
Game Day Spirit Tunnel, Noon, between St. John Arena and Ohio Stadium – Help transform the game-day crowd into a human tunnel when the Buckeyes leave St. John Arena for the stadium.
USG Dodge Ball Tournament, 9:30 p.m. to 1:45 a.m., Jesse Owens North and South basketball courts – Prizes include electronic games and two Ohio State bowl game packages.
OUAB Free Concert, 7 p.m., Jerome Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Dr. - Dashboard Confessional and Something Corporate will perform. Students may get one free ticket per Buck ID at the Ohio Union Information Center, 1739 N. High St. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets to the general public are available at http://www.ticketmaster.com.
