THE LANTERN
Parents’ Weekend Edition
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OSU traditions contined.
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Homecoming kazoos and cows.
Buckeye Spirit 101: Ohio State traditions all new Buckeye parents should know
Mariam Abaza
LTV Special Projects
From red-taped “M’s” during rivalry week to The Oval’s “Long Walk,” every inch of Ohio State’s campus is covered in tradition.
Understanding Buckeye traditions can be overwhelming for new students, and even more confusing for parents who are not alums. From familiar college practices to unique Ohio State rituals, here are a few traditions worth knowing for parents visiting their students on campus.
Carmen Ohio
One of the most cherished Ohio State traditions is singing Carmen Ohio, the 1903 alma mater.
Maddox Rickens, a fourth-year in food business management and vice president of Ohio Staters, Inc., an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Ohio State’s traditions, said that this tradition is incredibly important.
“Before every football game, win or lose, we all lock arms—put your arms around the people next to you — and sing Carmen Ohio,” Rickens said. “I think that’s pretty important for camaraderie of the Ohio State population.”
Carmen Ohio is woven into student life at Ohio State, from milestone moments like commencement to the everyday sound of Orton Hall’s chimes as students cross the Oval.
“Carmen Ohio in itself is like the tradition of Ohio State, where you’re embracing the Ohio State tradition and knowing that everybody knows the words, and if they don’t, it’s like, what are you doing? It’s kind of mandatory,” said Jocelyn Rojas-Ramirez, a fourth-year in biology and president of Ohio Staters, Inc.
Throughout their time at Ohio State, many students develop a deeper connection to this song.
“The words in Carmen — how firm thy friendship — I feel that really sums it all up. We all have our hands around each other, we’re all embracing each other, and we’re all just one group,” Sophia Stahl, a fourth-year in marketing and economics and traditions chair of Ohio Staters, Inc., said. “We all exist on this campus or have been on this campus, and we all just share this space and the history and traditions. It’s something so special.”
Rojas-Ramirez agreed and said the alma mater becomes more personal.
“You really feel something when you sing that song,” said Rojas-Ramirez. “Especially with the lyrics, I feel like they’re more than just lyrics. They’re like you’ve lived the lyrics throughout your past four years.”
Football Saturdays
Similar to Ohio State football’s undefeated winning streak, Saturday gameday culture is nearly unrivaled, and traditions play a significant role in cultivating the Buckeye Spirit.
Parents can expect to see various unique traditions while at football games, especially if they’re in Ohio Stadium, fondly referred to by Buckeyes as The ‘Shoe.
Players’ helmets are often adorned with Buckeye Leaves, which are awarded after an exceptional play on the field. This tradition began in 1967 and continues today.
Before a big play, fans will also chant O-H-I-O in the stadium, with each side of the stadium reciting a different letter.
The OH-IO chant extends beyond football games, with many people shouting “OH” in public and receiving a chorus of “IO’s” in response.
At home games, the marching band performs Script Ohio, spelling the word Ohio in a cursive style. A band member, usually a fourth-year tuba player, is then given the honor to dot the i.
After an Ohio State win, fans can expect to hear the chimes of the Victory Bell, which is located in the Southeast Tower of Ohio Stadium.
Members of Alpha Phi Omega, a service fraternity, have been tasked with ringing the bell since 1954.
Some football traditions depend on the team Ohio State is playing.
When Ohio State plays Michigan, the most anticipated game of the year, the Buckeyes play for both victory and gold pants. When the Buckeyes beat Michigan, a gold charm replica of a pair of football pants is gifted to players and coaches.
“It signifies that everybody puts on their pants one leg at a time. They’re not any bigger than us,” Stahl said.
Homecoming — happening during the Ohio State vs. Minnesota game on Saturday — is marked by a weekend of festivities, including a parade and tailgate.
The Ohio State women’s basketball team sings the alma mater, “Carmen Ohio,” with Brutus the Buckeye after a game.
SANDRA FU | MANAGING PHOTO EDITOR
Rivalry Week
One of the longest-standing traditions at Ohio State is its fierce rivalry with the University of Michigan. The week leading up to “The Game,” as it is commonly labeled, is called Rivalry Week.
“During rivalry week, we cross out all the ‘M’s’ on campus. Like, literally everything, even the giant McDonald’s sign [at 1972 N. High St]. Every single ‘M’ is crossed off on campus,” Stahl said.
The red-taped “M’s” often lingers on street signs, university buildings and nearly any surface within reach long after “The Game.”
The Oval
Ohio State’s centerpiece, the Oval, has its own set of traditions.
The bronze seal in the the Oval should be avoided at all costs, as stepping on it is rumored to bring bad luck, Rojas-Ramirez said.
Another tradition is the “Long Walk,” which is the perfect way to test college relationships. Per the legend, if a couple holds hands and crosses from one end of the Oval to the other without anyone cutting between them, they are destined to be together.
“A lot of people do that at three in the morning, just to make sure,” Rickens said.
Light up the Lake
Light up the Lake, a newer tradition organized by Ohio Staters Inc., has quickly become an anticipated event for students. Each year before finals week, students gather for the annual tree-lighting ceremony around Mirror Lake.
“We all sing Carmen Ohio and the lights turn on. It’s really become a huge tradition for a lot of students,” Rickens said.
Each lightbulb holds a special significance.
“There are 60,000 lights, and each lightbulb represents one student at Ohio State, not just from [the] main campus but also from the regional campuses. I think this truly encapsulates a good representation of Ohio State,” Rojas-Ramirez said.
As Ohio Staters, Inc. continues to host the annual event, they hope it will evolve into another timeless tradition, Rickens said.
Discontinued Traditions
As Ohio State has evolved, so have its traditions.
Before it was discontinued, Ohio State football games featured the brutal and often violent “Cane Rush.” In this traditional game, hundreds of undergraduate men would fight to obtain the other team’s cane by any means necessary.
“It was kind of a mix between capture the flag, rugby and football. It was kind of violent,” Stahl said.
Another forgotten tradition is “May Week,” which was celebrated the week of classes in May with parties, ox roasting, tug-of-war and other festive activities.
Before being banned by university administration for safety reasons, the rivalry game against Michigan used to be celebrated with the Mirror Lake Jump, where students would jump into the water during the week leading up to “The Game.”
Though some traditions have been discontinued or reshaped, many have withstood the test of time.
“I feel like most of our traditions are so iconic that there’s no reason to change them. Why would you change ‘OH-IO’ or singing Carmen Ohio when it’s been something for years and it’s so impactful and a ginormous representation of our university,” Rickens said.
Continuing Traditions
It’s easy to feel isolated as a first-year student, but engaging with traditions can help them create a community.
“It’s kind of nerve-racking, like you’re on your own now,” Rickens said. “I’m by myself now, but having these different traditions like walking around and somebody yells OH and you yell IO back, singing Carmen at the ‘Shoe, and all these other events that we have around campus and cool traditions you hear about made me feel like I was actually part of the university.”
Many deep-rooted traditions at Ohio State are continued because of the alumni and parents who pass them on to new Buckeyes.
“Everything you pass through at Ohio State is so deeply rooted in traditions that it has a specific meaning to it,” Rojas-Ramirez said. “Some things aren’t as well-known, and some things are well-known, so communicating with others and making sure to continue to talk about it will keep the traditions alive.”
Students are known to cross out every “M” on campus leading up to “The GaXe.”
AMAL SAEED | LANTERN FILE PHOTO
The Oval is home to many traditions and superstitions, like the “Long Walk.”
ZACHARY RILLEY | LANTERN FILE PHOTO
Strange but true: Homecoming cow and kazoos
Leon M. Rubin
Former Lantern Editor (1977)
For several years in the mid-1980s, a few dozen otherwise reasonable Ohio State employees showed their school spirit by marching in the Homecoming Parade as members of the Ohio State Faculty/Staff Kazoo Band.
Phillip W. Ballinger’s Homecoming t-shirt from 1987. Photo courtesy of Leon M. Rubin.
Lily Pace Managing Campus Editor
lind Morrison, stepped down. That’s after the university counted 12,000 ballots placed in the election despite only having 10,000 students enrolled at the university, according to the Ohio State Archives.
In a 1987 memo to participants from Philip W. Ballinger (who now appears to be a professor emeritus of allied medicine,) he stated that it was the third year of the Kazoo Band and that “our fame continues to grow.”
Participants, each of whom received a souvenir t-shirt and a kazoo shaped to look like a trumpet, clarinet or trombone, were given kazoo-playing tips (“You hum the melody in the end”) and were advised that the band would not be doing Script Ohio or any formations. Practicing the kazoo in advance was encouraged – but not in front of the classroom.
For the parade, “I have requested not to be placed adjacent to the OSU Marching Band. We don’t want them to look bad!” Ballinger wrote.
“Homecoming is a time to have fun,” he said, “and here’s our chance to let the students know we also like to have fun.”
The cow that became homecoming queen
No homecoming election stands out as much as that of 1926, in which Maudine Ormsby was declared the official homecoming queen.
Following voting corruption and a college prank, the original winner, Rosa-
The Election Committee then declared Maudine the official homecoming queen, justifying that they were unable to count the ballots accurately. But why does this win stand out so much?
That’s because Maudine wasn’t a student, but a cow—and not just any cow. She was an award winning Holstein, able to produce 743.5 pounds of milk and 28.7 pounds of butter fat in a one-week period, which earned her a world record.
Maudine Ormsby, the Ohio State Homecoming Queen in the fall of 1926. Credit: Lantern Digital Archives.
Despite winning the election, Maudine’s handlers would not allow her to attend the homecoming events, since she was considered “too valuable” and that the excitement would “curdle her milk,” according to prior Lantern reporting. Two students dressed in cow costumes attended the homecoming parade in her honor.
Parents weekend and Homecoming collide at Ohio State, bringing big crowds to local bars and restaurants
Delaney Kerstetter Lantern Reporter
This year, Homecoming and parents’ weekend fall on the same time, uniting students, parents and alumni for the Ohio State vs. Minnesota game Saturday.
To prepare, bars and restaurants in the university district are offering various events, activities and deals for the abundant crowd. Here is a sample of what is being offered this weekend.
The O on Lane
Ed Gaughan, owner of The O on Lane, said this weekend brings graduates back to where they used to go during their time at Ohio State.
“Homecoming weekends are kind of nice and unique, because it’s alumni getting back together, trying to go to some of their old spots,” Gaughan said.
The O—located at 352 W Lane Ave. — has a well-established routine for Homecoming. This year, they have a lineup of live bands, a food truck and plenty of space to watch the game.
The pre-game concert kicks off at 2:30 p.m. with CowTown Inc., a country music band, followed by Columbus native, Devin Henry, a country and rock artist.
DJ Samurai, a Columbus based DJ that specializes in a variety of music, and Krash Minati, a Columbus based rapper, will both have sets throughout the event, during pre-game, half-time and commercial breaks throughout the game.
“We’ll be serving our food here. We reduce our menu on game days because it’s so crazy. I mean, we put close to 10,000 people through the parking lot,” Gaughan said.
Midway
Midway, another student favorite, is located across the street from the Ohio Union at 1728 N High St.
“Midway is always a huge hit with parents weekend, just because the students love bringing their parents to Midway to show them the sort of upbeat, clubbier atmosphere,” said Kaitlan Harlan, the social media and event manager at Midway, Ethyl & Tank and Fourth Street. “The parents, I will say, they get down during these weekends.”
Midway’s happy hour, coined “Madness,” will offer $1 wells, a mixed drink of liquor and mixer of choice. The bar will also offer free bombs, a shot of liquor mixed with a non-alcoholic beverage, to anyone wearing silly clothing, Harlan said.
“About a year and a half ago, some Ohio State students started an Instagram account called @madness_fitz, and it’s now become a trend to come to madness in just silly clothing attire,” Harlan said. “So, we are going to run a special, a free bomb for each parent and student if they come dressed in silly Madness attire.”
Hot Dog Wally’s, a local food truck in Columbus, will be helping the restaurant serve food by offering hot dogs, burgers, fries and chicken tenders.
Fourth Street Taproom & Kitchen
Alternatively, Fourth Street Taproom & Kitchen—located at 1810 N 4th St. — will offer an open patio for parents and students to get a table and watch the game.
On Saturday, Fourth Street will offer $3 seltzers until close and brunch alongside their $25 mimosa tower from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The brunch deal will also continue on Sunday.
Threes Above High
Further west on High Street, students can give parents a taste of the weekend nightlife.
Threes Above High at 2203 N High St. was voted one of the best bars of 2025 in the U.S. by USA Today. The bar will have special guest Brianna LaPaglia in attendance on Saturday, as posted on their Instagram.
LaPaglia, also known as Brianna Chickenfry, is an internet personality best known for her role as a host on Barstool Sports PlanBri Uncut and BFFs.
Ethyl & Tank
Around the corner from Midway, Harlan said Ethyl & Tank will give parents and alumni the Ohio State bar scene they remember.
“I will say Ethyl specifically seems to capture the vibe of old Ohio State a little bit more,” Harlan said. “We have a lot of vintage signs and posters and lighting there. It really captures that sort of old bar feel that a lot of our alumni associate Ohio State with.”
On Friday, Ethyl will offer dinner until midnight, followed by brunch Saturday morning.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Ethyl will offer $20 mimosa towers and $6 espresso martinis, followed by their “Power Hour” on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
During the hour, the bar will offer $1 beers and wells, then from 10 p.m. to close, customers can buy two Nutrl’s or two Mich Ultras for $8 and $3 for white tea shots.
Block on High, located between Midway and Ethyl & Tank, will host a postgame performance by The Fretters, an acoustic duo, around 10:30 p.m. The band will perform a twoand-a-half-hour-long set.
Merchandise and more
Midway, Ethyl and Fourth Street will also launch their first merchandise line, Harlan said.
The launch includes a T-shirt for each bar and a Parents Weekend tee with, “Proud parent of a Buckeye” printed on the back.
All venues will broadcast the game, making sure fans don’t miss a moment.
“We really just like to make sure that everyone’s having a good time and that we show them the real experience of what it is to be an Ohio State student,” Harlan said.
Credits from top to bottom: Carly Damon, Christian Harsa and Carly Damon.
ARTS & LIFE
On page 7
Stories from first-generation Buckeye families.
What’s Up: A guide to Columbus staples for out-of-state families
Grayson Newbourn
Managing Arts
& Life
Editor
It’s that time of year again.
Students and their families flood the local bars and restaurants, tailgate for the homecoming football game and spend valuable time with their loved ones. That crowd isn’t for everyone, though. Not all parents are open to getting plastered with their child and the same goes for students. Luckily, Columbus has plenty of family-friendly spots to check out during their stay.
Read on to learn more about some of Columbus’ most well-known—and wellloved—museums and attractions.
Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum
Located conveniently on campus, the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum is Ohio State’s very own research library and home to the world’s largest collection of cartoon art and comics, according to Ohio State’s website.
The museum hosts two rotating exhibitions that switch out twice a year, along with one permanent exhibit entitled “Treasures from the Collections.” Currently, the library is featuring “Write It Down, Draw It Out: The Comics Art of Carol Tyler,” which opened May 24 and runs through Nov. 9.
According to the library’s website, the exhibit includes “extensive examples of initial diary entries, sketches, notes, rare artifacts, scraps of paper and other personal materials that fueled the inspiration and led to the development of [Taylor’s] story making style,” making it stand out from the rest of their exhibits.
Additionally, “Motion Lines: How Cartoonists Draw Movement” — which has also been on display since May 24 and will run through Nov. 9 — explores the different ways cartoon artists visualize and display movement in their pieces, according to their website.
The library is open weekly — except Mondays — from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Columbus Metropolitan Library
After going viral on TikTok in 2024 — racking up nearly 7 million views and 1.2 million likes — the library is not only home to a vast collection of books, but until Oct. 30, it’s home to five massive bugs.
The Giant Bugs exhibit has returned this year with new animatronic bugs to greet visitors as they make their way through the library. A fan-favor ite, the bugs once again achieved TikTok virality with more than 200k likes and over a million views, proving the immersive experience to be one for the books.
The library’s collection currently contains 2.5 million items — 1.7 million of which are physical media, such as books, CDs, magazines
and DVDs, and 750,000 digital items, such as eBooks and audio books, according to their 2025 Financial Summary. The collection offers materials in more than 35 languages.
Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival
Although the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a decent drive from campus — about 20 minutes, give or take — it’s a can’t-miss attraction. In March, the zoo was named the third-best in the country, according to the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. With more than 10,000 animals representing more than 600 species, according to its website, the zoo has something for everyone. This weekend is also the final weekend to attend the zoo’s Lantern Festival. The event takes place from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.— which is after operating hours — and features more than 70 sets of Asian, multicolored, LED animal lanterns, illuminating paths throughout the zoo, the zoo’s website states.
It should be noted that the festival is not included in general admission tickets and the animals will not be on view, rather in their habitats resting. However, guests can purchase “Return and Roar” tickets, which provide access to the zoo during regular hours and the festival after, as well as a 50 percent off voucher for BIBIBOP Asian Grill.
A limited number of discounted zoo tickets for Ohio State students are available through D-Tix. Information on the festival and tickets can be found on the zoo’s website.
COSI
The Center of Science and Industry was once again named the top science museum in the country, according to the 2025 USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. This is the museum’s sixth win in the category, previously taking home the title in 2014, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 — the center was ranked second in 2024, breaking their back-to-back winning streak before taking the crown yet again.
COSI has more than 300 interactive experiences and nine exhibits — including permanent exhibits and traveling exhibits—as well as live shows, a dedicated kids exploration area and a Planetarium. According to their website, COSI is committed to accessibility and ensures that the center is open and available for everyone, regardless of age or ability.
Though the center’s newest traveling exhibition focusing on Pixar animated films will not open until Oct. 11, plenty of other attractions are available to explore year-round. Tickets for COSI can be purchased through their website, and a limited number of discounted tickets are available for Ohio State students through D-Tix.
One of the tigers at the Columbus Zoo. ANDREW HORNE | LANTERN FILE PHOTO
A new legacy: Parents of first-generation college students reflect on their children’s journeys in becoming Buckeyes
Julia Hart and Helena Hennessy Arts & Life Senior Writers
For many Ohio State students, the path to pursuing their undergraduate education has been well-traveled and long-awaited. The same cannot be said for first-generation college students on campus, as for them, every step is a milestone.
The experiences of first-generation Buckeyes are not just solely theirs either, as their families back home have contributed to shape many parts of their journey. According to Ohio State’s 2024 enrollment report, just over 18 percent of new first-year students reported as first-generation, which means they were the first in their families to attend a university.
The Lantern spoke to the parents of Ohio State’s first-generation students to hear their perspectives on their children’s accomplishments and experiences.
Stacey Weaver is a mother to three children, her youngest being Brianna Weaver, a third-year in forensic science. Weaver said that in seeing her daughter thrive on campus, she makes sure to remember every moment of her journey.
“I’ve made sure to enjoy every little milestone,” Weaver said.
As a parent to a first-generation student, Weaver said she is proudest of the character, independence and determination that her daughter has developed.
“I am in awe of her,” Weaver said. “She really has proven that if you are determined and you work, you can have it.”
Offering advice to other first-generation parents, Weaver said the best thing they can do is to remind their children to appreciate the little things in life, even in uncertain moments.
tape, she’s always wanted to go for forensics. She’s always wanted to go to college … I want her to have it all.”
Ann Misterka is a mother to eight children, with her second-eldest daughter being Quinn Misterka, a second-year in strategic communication.
In their household, Misterka said her and her husband have raised their children to understand the value of a college education.
“Enjoy every milestone; the sad ones, the first day anxiety, the tears, the hap-
Weaver encouraged her daughter, as well as all students, to take pride in
She also advised other parents of students to actively listen to their children when they take the time to
“I would like for her to take a step back and appreciate it for what it is, because she has worked for this — and she’s amazing,” Weaver said. “[But] they are just as overwhelmed as you are, if not more … you just got to let it happen.”
Before speaking to everything her daughter has accomplished throughout her time at Ohio State, Weaver took a moment to reflect on Brianna’s childhood and the life-long passion that led her to the university.
“It’s everything,” Weaver said. “Since she was 4-years-old, pulling fingerprints off the bathroom mirror with my powder and scotch
“We had always instilled in our kids that education is super important, and it’s your job, and if you work hard at your job, you’ll see the fruits of that,” Misterka said.
During her daughter’s freshman year, Misterka said she worried about her adjusting to such a new environment.
“We live in a little township in Geauga County [in northeast Ohio] … it’s [a] small town to [a] big city,” Misterka said. “Never has [there] been a complaint from her. It’s more so she’s just getting her footing … I know it was kind of unnerving being one tiny fish in the giant pond that is Ohio State, but she’s adjusted so well, and we just couldn’t be prouder of that.”
Misterka said while it has made her happy to see her daughter gain a newfound sense of independence, the hardest part of her daughter’s transition to college has been the inability to maintain consistent, daily contact—the mother and daughter now resort to quick check-ins.
“We are very good about checking in with each other,” Misterka said. “Just a random picture of the cats to perk her up. [Quinn will say] like, ‘I miss Leo. Can you send a picture?’”
Still, she said the distance has been difficult.
“As a mom, you want to take care of your kids, so if there’s any struggles, it’s really hard to be three hours north of her, and not be able to swoop in and help,” Misterka said. “We also realize it’s a growth situation, it’s a self-sufficiency thing … I am so insanely proud of her adjusting and adapting.”
Misterka said she recommends parents of first-generation students to not put any expectations on their children to have the picture-perfect college experience.
“Just kind of be there to support and navigate and listen, listen, listen,” Misterka said. “Don’t fix — et them fail. They’re going to have to fail.”
Scott Misterka (left), Quinn Misterka (mid- dle) and Ann Misterka (right) at Quinn’s high school graduation in May 2024. Photo courtesy of Quinn Misterka.
Scott Misterka (left), Quinn Misterka (middle) and Ann Misterka (right) at Quinn’s first communion in 2014. Photo courtesy of Quinn Misterka.
SPORTS
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Ohio State traditons crash course.
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Bar deals to check out over Parent’s Weekend.
Zoom calls, film and flights: Inside OSU’s men’s soccer international recruiting
Mohamed Yousuf Lantern Reporter
Whenit comes to recruiting, Ohio State men’s soccer doesn’t just look for players across America. Instead, its coaches scout the world.
International recruiting has become a crucial component of Ohio State’s roster-building, as head coach Brian Maisonneuve seeks players who bring experience, maturity and the right fit to his team.
“There [are] good soccer players all over the world,” Maisonneuve said.
Ohio State’s international recruiting process starts with film. Coaches review highlight reels and full game footage to evaluate whether a player could be a good fit.
Once a player catches the attention of the coaching staff, the next step begins.
“If you think it’s the right fit, usually you’ve got to go see them live,” Maisonneuve said.
Assistant coaches Matt Foldesy and Travis Morris make most overseas trips. Zoom calls and phone conversations help fill the gaps, allowing coaches who can’t make the trip to still judge the player.
“You’re looking for a player that’s going to come in and fit in the program, both from a soccer standpoint and from a personality standpoint,” Maisonneuve said.
Senior midfielder Marko Borkovic, a native of Great Britain, is an example of the process. He played two years at Derby County Academy in England before connecting with the Buckeyes through Vertex Soccer, an agency that helps academy players move to U.S. programs.
“Travis was the one that spoke to me first, and then he came out to England, and we had a chat on what to expect at Ohio State,” Borkovic said. “As the process got further along, coach Maisonneuve got involved, and we had Zoom calls weekly until I got offered a scholarship.”
Now a senior midfielder, he’s become a key piece in the Buckeyes lineup with two goals and one assist in five games this season. That is exactly the kind of impact Maisonneuve said he looks for with abroad recruitment.
Ohio State’s success on the field, which included the 2024 Big Ten Championship, has made it even more appealing to talent abroad.
“With our recent success and the brand recognition, we can get in the conversation with just about anybody,” Maisonneuve said.
Ohio State senior midfielder Marko Borkovic (7) passes the ball during the Big Ten tournament match against Michigan Nov. 17, 2024. The Buckeyes defeated the Wolverines 1-0.
