HE HEAD OF O
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The Lineup THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH EXECUTIVE EDITOR Michael Shearer MANAGING EDITOR Rick Rouan PHOTO EDITOR Kyle Robinson REPORTER Sheridan Hendrix PHOTOGRAPHER Adam Cairns
USA TODAY CO. DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE OPERATIONS Kate Ellsworth BOOK EDITORS Andy Harper, Gene Myers
About the book Everyone knows Brutus Buckeye. Few know what it takes to be Brutus. Being Brutus goes behind the giant head to reveal the students who bring Ohio State’s beloved mascot to life. Through intimate photography and behind-thescenes reporting, follow the Brutus team through tryouts, training, game days, national competition and hundreds of appearances, all while balancing college life. The book also traces Brutus’ remarkable history, from a homemade papier-mâché Buckeye created in 1965 to one of college sports’ most recognizable figures. It’s a celebration of the people, traditions and unforgettable moments behind an Ohio State icon.”
On the cover FRONT COVER: Brutus Buckeye joins the Ohio State Buckeyes for “Carmen Ohio” following a football game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Oct. 4, 2025. ADAM CAIRNS / COLUMBUS DISPATCH BACK COVER: Ohio State cheerleaders toss Brutus Buckeye after winning the game day category at the 2026 College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship on Jan. 16, 2026. ADAM CAIRNS / COLUMBUS DISPATCH
E-COMMERCE SPECIALIST Clarissa Shine
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PARTNERSHIPS & MARKETING ASSOCIATE Rivka Holler
Scan the QR code to watch exclusive videos and go behind the scenes with Brutus Buckeye
PROJECT COORDINATOR Andy Harper
PEDIMENT PUBLISHING PRESIDENT Chris Fenison
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the copyright owner or the publisher.
EDITORIAL PROJECT MANAGER Heather Hewitt
Published by Pediment Publishing, a division of The Pediment Group, Inc. • www.pediment.com
DESIGNERS Lee Benson, Joey Schaffer
This book is an unofficial account of the Brutus Buckeye mascot by The Columbus Dispatch, and is not endorsed by the NCAA or
SPECIAL THANKS ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS: Samantha Madar, Neal C. Lauron, Doral Chenoweth PAGE DESIGNER: Ian Young ADDITIONAL WRITER: Gene Myers
Printed in Canada.
The Ohio State University. Copyright © 2026 by The Columbus Dispatch All Rights Reserved • ISBN: 978-1-63846-223-1
Contents The inside story on Being Brutus � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 4 What does it take to be Brutus? Inside the world of Ohio State’s iconic mascot � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 27 How does Brutus Buckeye train? Inside the ‘absolute chaos’ of national mascot camp � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 41 Go behind the scenes of a football game day with Ohio State’s Brutus Buckeye � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 53 ‘Give me my first love’: Corso’s final pick mirrored his first — but with lots of hype � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 65 Brutus Buckeye’s quest for a national championship was all about redemption � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 79 Four Bruti bid farewell to Ohio State as the giant heads are handed over � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 91 Meet Tyler Wisman, a Brutus Buckeye with a legacy to uphold � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 95 ‘You could be Brutus.’ How a class clown became the iconic mascot � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 99 Meet the Brutus who crossed out the Michigan ‘M’ � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 103 Yes, this Brutus Buckeye is very tall. Meet Kurt Steelman � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 107 Brutus hit first. Ohio State’s mascot shares the inside scoop on his brawl with Rufus � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 109 Brutus Buckeye and Rufus the Bobcat settle the score � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 115 Meet Sally Lanyon, the woman behind the iconic Brutus Buckeye mascot � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 117 Fans break a Guinness World Record celebrating Brutus Buckeye’s 60th birthday � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 121 Brutus Speaks (sort of… err… well, he gestures) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 127 Test your knowledge of Brutus Buckeye! � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 131 Brutus Buckeye Alumni � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 133 BEING BRUTUS • 3
Foreword
The inside story on Being Brutus BY SHERIDAN HENDRIX THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
AS A N OHIO STATE UNI V ERSITY alumna and the daughter of a lifelong Buckeyes fan, I’ve spent countless Saturdays tailgating outside Ohio Stadium and nights inside the Schottenstein Center watching basketball. In one of my earliest memories, I was maybe 6 years old, wearing a little OSU cheerleading uniform and sitting in the stands at the Schott when I felt a tap on
my shoulder. It was Brutus Buckeye – Ohio State’s ever-smiling nutty mascot – inviting me to dance with him in the aisle. I froze. I wasn’t scared of Brutus, but this timid child feared the spotlight. I could feel the crowd’s eyes turning to watch their favorite mascot dance with this little kid. Still, I obliged and danced for a few seconds before quickly returning to my seat. It was a moment, I’ve since realized, that plenty of Ohio State fans – adults and children alike – would throw elbows for.
OPPOSITE: Dispatch reporter Sheridan Hendrix and photojournalist Adam Cairns with
Brutus Buckeye in 2026. ADAM CAIRNS / COLUMBUS DISPATCH
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I’ve thought about that memory a lot over the last year. In May 2026, The Columbus Dispatch published an extensive series about Brutus and the team of student athletes, coaches and others who make the mascot possible. That work is the basis for this book. Multimedia journalist Adam Cairns and I spent a full calendar year following Brutus’ every move, from mascot camp in Wisconsin and the sidelines at the ‘Shoe to Ann Arbor to witness the X-crossing heard ‘round the world and Disney World for the college mascot national championships. Thousands of Ohio State fans have watched Brutus grow during the last 60 years from little more than a brown papier-mâché dome with legs to an iconic college mascot. But few have had the front-row seats we enjoyed. That’s because the student athletes who portray Brutus are sworn to secrecy. It’s partly for their safety, but it’s also to keep the magic alive. If anything, a peek behind the curtain has made Brutus even more magical to me. Spending time with these student athletes made me appreciate the sheer physical strength needed to be Brutus and don his 10-pound head, the comedic talent needed to be funny without ever speaking a word, and the massive commitment that these young men and women take on to join this elite group of college mascots.
There’s far more work that goes into being Brutus than Adam and I ever could’ve imagined. We both realized that we never would’ve made the cut – although my head-banging skills aren’t too shabby. One thing Adam and I absolutely agree on is that there is no better group of people to be around than college mascots. There were countless
moments when Adam had to drop his camera and I put down the notebook simply because we were laughing too hard. After a challenging day in the newsroom, we both knew a pick-me-up was waiting for us at Brutus practice that evening. But don’t be fooled by Brutus’ goofy exterior. The individuals who portray
him are athletes in the purest sense of the word. They balance football games, early morning workouts and community events, all on top of being a student. Everyone who crosses Brutus’ path on a given day is better off because of his energy, dedication, spirit and creativity. If we could bottle up even a fraction of that, I think we’d all be better for it.
ABOVE: Brutus Buckeye team members celebrate winning the national championship in the mascot division during the 2026 College Cheerleading and Dance Team National
Championship at the ESPN Wide World of Sports inside the Walt Disney World Resort in Kissimmee, Fla. on Jan. 17, 2026. A DAM CAIRNS / COLUMBUS DISPATCH OPPOSITE: Dispatch reporter Sheridan Hendrix and photojournalist Adam Cairns ride to an event with Brutus Buckeye in 2026. A DAM CAIRNS / COLUMBUS DISPATCH
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Caleb Kies folds Brutus Buckeye’s waist towel while getting dressed for the men’s basketball game against IU Indy at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus on Nov. 3, 2025. A DAM CAIRNS / COLUMBUS DISPATCH
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Brutus Buckeye high-fives Chantel Fucci at a Fisher College of Business event in 2026. ADAM CAIRNS / COLUMBUS DISPATCH
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Brutus Buckeye tiptoes into a wedding at the Athletic Club of Columbus in 2025. ADAM CAIRNS / COLUMBUS DISPATCH
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From left, Brad Arno, Barrett Arno, Sydney Arno and Brooks Arno of Liberty Center take a holiday-themed photo with Brutus Buckeye in 2025. A DAM CAIRNS / COLUMBUS DISPATCH
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What does it take to be Brutus? Inside the world of Ohio State’s iconic mascot SHERIDAN HENDRIX
T H E DUST I NG OF SNOW WAS star ting to thicken on Michigan Stadium’s turf when Jeff Moody had an idea, one that would become more iconic than the game itself. The Buckeyes were up 24-9 against the Michigan Wolverines after a 50-yard touchdown by Carnell Tate. Fans decked in scarlet and gray pulsed with excitement inside the Big House. After three straight losses, the taste of revenge was palpable. The Wolverines hadn’t seen the end zone the entire game, so the mid-afternoon snowfall started to accumulate. Moody turned to his coach on the sidelines and asked if he could do something bold. Go for it, he told Moody. So during a timeout late in the third quarter, Moody ran into the end zone and shuffled over the “M” in Michigan with his feet, leaving a massive “X” in the snow. He marched to the sideline and walked a Script Ohio into the snow in the red zone. He jumped onto the field to dot the “i” in dramatic fashion. Then he ran over the “M” one more
time for good measure. Angry Michigan sideline staffers quickly rushed onto the field to undo his work, but the deed was done. His stunt got picked up by the FOX television broadcast. Buckeye fans in the crowd and across the country went wild at the sight.
and elusive role of portraying Brutus Buckeye each year. While there is only one “official” Brutus, it’s Moody and his teammates who don Brutus’ 10-pound head every week to represent the university. Brutus Nation is a small fraternity. For 60 years, more than 50 students –
“They were furious, but I didn’t care. I was grinning ear to ear. ” JEFF MOODY
“The Michigan staffers threatened to kick me out if I pulled that again,” Moody said. “They were furious, but I didn’t care. I was grinning ear to ear.” In a moment, Moody became iconic. But only a few people knew it was Moody who actually pulled it off. Everyone else just saw the cartoony eyes and rugby-striped shirt of Ohio State’s mascot, Brutus Buckeye. Moody, an Ohio State senior, is one of nine student athletes who are part of a team that takes on the coveted
both men and women – put their heart and soul into portraying the beloved university mascot, known for his oversized buckeye nut head and block O hat. Mascot team members straddle the worlds between being college students and being Brutus. They are athletes, improv experts, court jesters, volunteers and academics. They attend hundreds of events each year. Above all, they are cheerleaders for all things Ohio State.
But that doesn’t mean the Brutus team doesn’t have ambitions of its own. The world of collegiate mascots is hyper competitive, with each season culminating in the UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship. Heading into this season, Brutus hadn’t won the title since 2019 — and the team was hungry for another win. While Brutus is instantly recognizable on campus, the students inside the costume are intentionally kept anonymous. Team members can’t reveal their identities until they graduate, and their accomplishments are shrouded in secrecy. It’s not about them. It’s about Brutus. The Dispatch spent a year following the Brutus Buckeye team and the student athletes, coaches, trainers and allies who make the mascot possible. In an exclusive look behind the curtain, The Dispatch joined the team at tryouts, in Wisconsin for mascot summer camp, on the sidelines from the ‘Shoe to the Big House, in Orlando for the spirit team’s national championships and all of the moments in between.
OPPOSITE: Brutus Buckeye attends a meal-packing event before the football game against Ohio University in 2025. A DAM CAIRNS / COLUMBUS DISPATCH
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OPPOSITE: Former Brutus Buckeyes
gather for a photo during a fundraiser and party for the mascot’s 60th birthday at the Ohio Union in 2025. A DAM CAIRNS / COLUMBUS DISPATCH LEFT: Jeff Moody dresses for a run-through of the nationals game day performance with the dance and cheer teams inside the Schottenstein Center in 2026. ADAM CAIRNS / COLUMBUS DISPATCH
In line with the team’s tradition, The Dispatch is naming only its most recent senior class, which graduated from Ohio State on May 10, 2026. From football games to national championships, The Dispatch followed Moody and fellow seniors Caleb Kies, Tyler Wisman and Kurt Steelman, as they and their teammates achieved a landmark season for Brutus. Making a mascot Building an elite team starts with tryouts. Mascot team tryouts take place each
year starting mid-spring semester. The team holds a few info sessions and several weeks of pre-tryout “costume sessions,” so interested students can get used to wearing Brutus’ head before their audition. While the costume sessions aren’t required, they are highly suggested. Most people don’t work out in a 10-pound mascot head with limited eyesight. And Ray Sharp, Ohio State’s head mascot coach, expects people to show up ready to perform at tryouts. The costume sessions are also a chance to learn about Brutus’ character. “Brutus is the most loving, kind,
passionate, energetic person about everything Ohio State there is at this university,” Wisman said. “He’s the ambassador. He’s an athlete in all sports. I mean, people literally expect us to be able to do everything.” In April 2025, six people show up for tryouts at the Steelwood Training Facility on a drizzly Saturday morning. Sharp and Assistant Mascot Coach Tim Thiel, a former University of Wisconsin Bucky Badger affectionately known as “the Elder Statesman of Mascots,” are joined by Wisman, Moody and one of the team’s underclassmen. BEING BRUTUS • 29
RIGHT: Brutus Buckeye greets spectators along the Ohio State Homecoming parade route in 2025. ADAM CAIRNS / COLUMBUS DISPATCH OPPOSITE: Brutus Buckeye interacts
with a Fox Sports camera operator after using his feet to cross out the “M” in the end zone during the football game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Nov. 29, 2025. Ohio State won 27-9. A DAM CAIRNS / COLUMBUS DISPATCH
It’s a slightly different year than usual. Only one spot is open on next year’s team, so a lot of hopefuls who didn’t feel ready to audition dropped out at the last minute. Those who kept their tryout spot are confident about their odds. Outside the facility, a tall brunette in a red sweatsuit runs through his prepared routine for tryouts. He spins through the misty parking lot as if it were a stage, dancing and hitting Brutus’ signature moves to a gameday soundtrack. This is the third time he’s tried out for 30 • BEING BRUTUS
the team. He walks over to the door and patiently waits outside of the facility with a guitar case in hand for his audition time. His girlfriend hypes him up for a final time. “You got this,” she said. “You are Brutus. You are Brutus.” Brutus wasn’t much more than a brown papier-mâché dome with legs when he first ran into Ohio Stadium on Oct. 30, 1965. How did he transform from a little-known nut to an iconic college mascot? For most of its history, the Brutus team didn’t have a formal structure around it.
In fact, there wasn’t much of a team to speak of. Brutus was originally adopted by Ohio Staters, Incorporated, a student service organization, that put up the initial $50 to craft the mascot. Soon enough, Brutus was passed over to Block O, Ohio State’s student section. Students interested in being Brutus had to write an essay and perform a skit in front of a panel of Block O members. Ohio State’s cheerleading team took over Brutus’ care in 1975, and a separate
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