Deep Thoughts

The Pants Party: OSU’s Beat Michigan Tradition

They cost about $25.  But you can’t buy them.  You can’t actually find them unless you REALLY know somebody.  But everybody at Ohio State desperately wants them. 

“They” are pants.

In 1934, OSU Coach Francis Schmidt told his Buckeye players that Michigan players “put their pants on one leg at a time, just like everybody else.” From that speech grew the Gold Pants Club.  Every time Ohio State beats Michigan, every Buckeye roster player and coach receives a tiny gold pants charm with the year and score of the game engraved.  The idea worked for Schmidt---his first four Buckeye teams beat Michigan.

The tradition has evolved over the years.  Generally these days players give their 1st pair of Gold Pants to their mother.  Of course, not all that long ago, a Buckeye player was hard-pressed to win one pair!  OSU’s 15 seniors will have a chance Saturday to win their 4th pair---precious few OSU seniors have left campus with 4 pairs. 

Some schools play for an axe, or an old oaken bucket, or a wooden turtle.  At Ohio State, they play Michigan for pants.

JRod, I just love the coverage of OSU. My wife and I would like to pass on how much we appreciate Mindy & Marshall on the weekends. Watching Mindy’s face light up after a Buckeye win makes our day!

Is it true that Henne, Hart and Long have petitioned the NCAA for one more year of eligibility?

We understand the raeson is medical, that they’ve suffered from severe cases of Buckeyeitis for four yearts!

I can’t understand why the other one loss teams can be ranked ahead of the Buckeyes, especially since our one loss was on a bad call by the officals ( the fumble recovery on the illini ) which would have changed the momentum early in the game and most likely the whole outcome. Even still the Buckeyes are 11-1 and should be ranked above those 8-1 and 9-1 teams. The Buckeyes are without a doubt the BEST one loss team in the country this year, and after the defensive dominance we showed against the wolverines, we deserve to be in the National Championship game, which I have no doubt that they would win.

The whole Legend of The Gold Pants and what it signifies in BuckeyeNation ranks right up there with “ScriptOhio”. Both are unique to OSU and EVERY Buckeye holds them in high regard. Coach Tressel has cultivated every aspect of Buckeye lore that can make EVERY OHIOAN Proud. This Season has been one of Great Accomplishment and should certainly be noted in the record books.....GO BUCKS, Your #1 With US!