October 10, 1936: The 1st "Script Ohio"

October 10, 1936, 90 years ago: The Ohio State University Marching Band first performs their Script Ohio formation, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Their football team is not up to the task: It loses to the University of Pittsburgh, 6-0.

The formation is based on the sign at the Loew's Ohio Theatre in downtown Columbus, although the capital O now resembles the block O in Ohio State's logos. They march to "Le Régiment de Sambre et Meuse," a French poem by Paul Cézano (not to be confused with the painter Paul Cézanne), set to music by Robert Planquette and arranged and expanded into a military march by Joseph-François Rauski. It was composed in 1870 -- the same year in which The... Ohio State University was founded.

At the various junctions in the formation, the band members swing their horns. This is especially difficult for those with heavy instruments, like the sousaphone. At the conclusion of the formation, the drum major leads a sousaphone player to the top of the lower case i in "Ohio," and he "dots the i." It's always a senior, and the seniors get their choice of games. The one with the most seniority inevitably chooses the Michigan game.

"Dotting the i" is considered the highest honor at Ohio State. The following people have been honorary i-dotters:

* 1971: Novice Fawcett, University President, 1956-72.

* 1974: Richard Heine, Band head composer and arranger, 1935-85, making him, essentially the father of Script Ohio.

* 1978: Bob Hope, entertainer, who grew up in Cleveland.

* 1979: Jack Evans, Band Director, 1952-64.

* 1983: Dr. Paul Droste, Band Director, 1970-83.

* 1983: Woody Hayes, head football coach, 1951-78.

* 1985: Robert Ries, Ohio State ticket director, 

* 1990: James "Buster" Douglas, a Columbus native, then in his brief reign as Heavyweight Champion of the World.

* 1995: Dr. E. Gordon Gee, University President, 1990-98, and again 2007-13.

* 2006: Jack Nicklaus, golf legend, Columbus area native, played at Ohio State. He left a few credits short of a degree, but was awarded an honorary doctorate in 1972.

* 2009: John Glenn, former astronaut and U.S. Senator, and his wife, Annie Glenn, advocate for people with disabilities. Both graduated from nearby Muskingum College, but maintained ties to Ohio and to OSU.

* 2011: Dr. Jon Woods, band director, 1984-2012.

* 2011: Lex Wexner, Ohio State Class of 1959, CEO of L Brands, makers of women's lingerie and beauty products, and a major OSU donor.

* 2016: Earle Bruce, head football coach, 1979-87.

* 2024: Archie Griffin, Ohio State running back, the only 2-time winner of the Heisman Trophy, 1974 and '75.

On occasion, the Band will do a "Double Script": A Script facing each side. On Homecoming, they join with the Alumni Band to do a "Quadruple Script."