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| The Ohio State University Cheerleading | |
|---|---|
| Name | The Ohio State University Cheerleading |
| University | The Ohio State University |
| Location | Columbus, Ohio |
| Stadium | Ohio Stadium |
| Founded | 1920s |
The Ohio State University Cheerleading is the varsity spirit program representing The Ohio State University at Columbus, Ohio athletics events, student activities, and community engagements. The squad performs at Ohio Stadium for Ohio State Buckeyes football games, supports Big Ten Conference competitions, and participates in collegiate cheerleading championships and national exhibitions. The program intersects with campus life, alumni networks, and regional media through appearances at events such as the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and College Football Playoff contests.
Cheerleading at The Ohio State University traces roots to early 20th-century campus traditions influenced by collegiate spirit movements at institutions like Yale University, Princeton University, and University of Michigan. By the 1920s and 1930s, organized squads at Ohio State University performed at Ohio Stadium during Ohio State Buckeyes football seasons, paralleling developments at Notre Dame Fighting Irish football, University of Southern California, and University of Alabama. Postwar expansions mirrored trends at University of Texas at Austin and University of Oklahoma, with routines evolving alongside National Cheerleaders Association and Universal Cheerleaders Association methods. During the late 20th century, the program adapted collegiate competitive formats similar to those used by University of Kentucky and University of Florida squads, while navigating regulatory shifts influenced by National Collegiate Athletic Association policies and Title IX developments related to United States Department of Education guidance. Appearances at bowl games such as the Rose Bowl Game, Orange Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and Sugar Bowl increased national visibility alongside media coverage from outlets like ESPN and NBC Sports.
The program operates within the athletics and student activities structure at The Ohio State University, coordinating with departments such as Division of Student Affairs and Ohio State Athletics. Teams include game-day cheer squads, stunt groups, and pep bands that collaborate with the Marching Band "The Best Damn Band in the Land". Staff roles mirror models at University of Michigan and Penn State University, featuring head coaches, assistant coaches, athletic trainers, and student leaders who liaise with organizations like the Student Alumni Association and Alumni Board. The squad engages with conference scheduling through the Big Ten Conference office and partners with event organizers for neutral-site games at venues such as Lucas Oil Stadium and MetLife Stadium. Coordination with campus offices such as Student Life and Campus Activities supports outreach to community partners including United Way and Make-A-Wish Foundation chapters.
Game-day protocols are centered at Ohio Stadium, where traditions include pregame formations, the run-through with the Ohio State University Marching Band, and postgame acknowledgments of fans in sections like the Buckeye Block "The Shoe". The squad performs alongside mascot appearances by Brutus Buckeye and participates in signature chants used throughout contests against rivals such as University of Michigan and Penn State University. During rival weeks—especially the annual matchup versus University of Michigan Wolverines football—cheerleaders coordinate with university police, event operations, and broadcast partners like ABC and FOX Sports to manage crowd engagement. Community events include parades in Columbus, Ohio and outreach at institutions such as Nationwide Children's Hospital and local Columbus Metropolitan Library branches.
Competitive involvement includes appearances at national championships and collegiate invitational events modeled after contests hosted by Universal Cheerleaders Association and National Cheerleaders Association. The program has showcased routines at venues including the Alamodome, Amway Center, and SAP Center. Performances have been broadcast by networks such as ESPNU and covered in publications like Sports Illustrated and The Columbus Dispatch. The squad’s competitive history intersects with peer institutions including University of Kentucky Wildcats cheerleading, University of South Carolina, and Stanford University in regional and national contests. Achievements include bids to national finals and exhibition performances at bowl games such as the Rose Bowl Game and College Football Playoff National Championship.
Preparation follows standards seen at University of Florida and University of Louisville, with tryouts scheduled through campus channels and announced via Ohio State University Student Affairs communications. Training regimens include strength conditioning, tumbling progressions, stunt technique, and routine choreography supported by certified athletic trainers and medical staff affiliated with Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. Safety protocols align with guidelines from organizations such as the American Red Cross and sport-specific recommendations from National Federation of State High School Associations and collegiate athletic safety frameworks. Tryout structures typically include skills assessments, interview panels, and camp-style evaluations mirroring models used by University of Tennessee and University of Georgia programs.
Alumni have gone on to careers spanning professional athletics support staffs, entertainment, and media roles similar to graduates from University of Southern California and University of Michigan spirit programs. Former members have participated in productions with organizations such as NFL teams, NBA franchises, and performance troupes linked to Radio City Music Hall and Cirque du Soleil alumni networks. Cultural impact extends into campus traditions, alumni engagement via the Ohio State Alumni Association, and representation in broader college football culture covered by outlets like ESPN and College GameDay. The squad’s visibility during marquee matchups—such as contests against University of Michigan and appearances at the Rose Bowl Game—contributes to the public image of The Ohio State University athletics.
Category:The Ohio State University