A Successful Club is an Enthusiastic Club!

As I become your President this year, you should all know that I am an “adopted” Buckeye, just like many of you. You certainly don’t have to be an Ohio State graduate to have a passion for the scarlet and gray, buckeye necklaces and O-H-I-O. What hooked me as a Buckeye For Life is the enthusiasm of the fans.

My first visit to Ohio Stadium was September 16, 1978 as a guest of my future husband, Brent. We saw Art Schlichter in his first game as quarterback for the Buckeyes and we suffered defeat at the hands of Penn State.  At the time, I was a student at Purdue University and had been to many games in Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette. But there was something awe-inspiring about “The Horseshoe”. It was a feeling of camaraderie, excitement and anticipation of what the year would hold for the Buckeyes.  I would not attend another game in Ohio Stadium until 2009 with our former Club President, Nancy Phelps. Those feelings of camaraderie, excitement are still there. We love the Buckeyes, win or lose!

My husband, Brent and I have been members of other clubs and even other OSU Alumni Clubs but none as enthusiastic and fun to be with as this club. The idea for this club began many years ago. A group of us would watch games wherever we could find Ohio State fans. Then, one year while at Myrtle Beach, we found a huge place called Overtime Sports Café to watch the Buckeyes. In 2006, we watched as Ohio State beat Michigan 41 - 39 with over 150 other Buckeye fans from all over the US. The feeling of camaraderie and excitement was what we wanted to have back home.

And that’s what we’ve tried to do with our club. In 2007, we held our first meeting not knowing how it would all work out. In the last four years, I have seen the club grow in enthusiasm, generosity and enjoyment which has brought us the power to do many things we could not do as individual Buckeyes. As a club, we have been able to serve our community while proudly wearing the scarlet and gray AND helped several students from our area “live the dream” of attending The Ohio State University. And we have had a ball all along the way.

To keep the enthusiasm going, I want to encourage everyone to participate in any activity you like. We have something for everyone - a Kazoo Band, projects for our troops and veterans, attending parades and the “Reading Rocks” Walkathon. Or create a new idea for all of us to enjoy. And of course, we do watch a little football together every Saturday, but it’s not just a game watch. We have raffles, music, contests and special activities. So grab your friends and come see how much fun it can be.

Stay connected to us and Ohio State through our website and Facebook and I hope to see at an event soon.

Your President,

Diana Sanders