Brutus’ 50th Celebration

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Microscope view of copper (top) welded to titanium (bottom) using a new technique developed at The Ohio State University. Image by Glenn Daehn, courtesy of The Ohio State University.

The Ohio State University celebration of the 50^th anniversary of Brutus Buckeye continues with a gala event on Friday, Nov. 6.

The event will feature Ohio State’s mascot as he has never been seen before. With a “storytelling” theme, former Ohio State football player and Heisman Trophy winner, Eddie George will perform as the narrator of the story of Brutus Buckeye, with performances from the mascot with the Ohio State University Marching Band drum line, Ohio State Dance Team, and special appearances from Brutus alumni from the past fifty years. Nearly every student who has portrayed Brutus will be on hand.

The gala will be held in the Archie M. Griffin Grand Ballroom in the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the program begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. The event is sold out.

The Brutus 50^th Celebration is chaired by three current students involved with groups that are tied to the history of Brutus’ creation: Anne Montalto, a member of Ohio Staters, Inc., Nicole Schumacher, president of Pi Beta Phi and Catie Sack, an intern in the Office of Student Life.

This fundraising event will bring together sponsors, donors and supporters, along with Brutus alumni and those who have shaped the history of the mascot over half a century. Proceeds will go toward endowing scholarships through the Office of Student Life for students who perform as Brutus.

The celebration weekend will continue on Saturday, Nov. 7, with on-field ceremonies in Ohio Stadium during the Ohio State football game against Minnesota.

Prior to 1965, Ohio State had no mascot. It was that year Ohio State students took matters into their own hands and launched an effort to create a mascot for the school. In October 1965, two students built a papier-mâché mascot that made its debut by walking down the Ohio Stadium entrance ramp at the Homecoming football game against Minnesota. Soon after the game, Ohio Stater’s, Inc. (Stater’s), who had helped pay for the creation, sponsored a contest that led to the name Brutus Buckeye.

Additional information about the Brutus 50^th Birthday celebration can be found online at go.osu.edu/Brutus50.