How Firm Thy Friendship, Ohio

Editor,

I can't hide this anymore. I feel like I am living two separate lives, and sometimes I just want to scream.

Scream, "Go Bucks!"

My fellow Buckeye fans, don't hide your faces in your Bobcat textbooks. There is hope. You are not alone.

Ever since I attended my first Buckeye football game, while still in my mother's womb, I have wanted to attend The Ohio State University in Columbus. But in 10 short weeks, I will hold a degree missing the words "The" and "State."

Don't get me wrong. I know I made the right decision following my career path of choice, photo journalism, and attending the best university offering a degree in that field, Ohio University.

Academically, the options presented to me by Ohio University are unmatched by The Ohio State University, but still something was missing.

Something only that school to the north could provide: school spirit.

The sound of the OSU Marching Band performing Script Ohio and the thrill of defeating our rival Michigan. I witnessed this twice with my grandmother from the cold cramped benches in the upper sections of Ohio Stadium.

The Buckeye spirit was especially intoxicating over the past few days as I, with the rest of Columbus, celebrated a 31-24 victory over Miami for the National Championship.

Can you see the conflict? I often feel like an Ohio University intellect stuck inside the body of an Ohio State Buckeye fan.

Every time I hear the OSU fight song, "Buckeye Battle Cry", and alma mater, "Carmen Ohio", and catch myself singing along, it becomes clear how strong my allegiance to the Buckeye spirit is.

The final words of Carmen Ohio are, "how firm thy friendship O-Hi-O."

For me, it's both Ohios.

David Distlehorst is a College of Communications senior. He can be reached at dd296798@ohio.edu.