About Sally Lanyon
Behind Brutus
My Story
In the fall of 1965, I and a few others did something that forever altered Ohio State history, and now I’m known as the co-creator of Brutus Buckeye! Fifty years later, my partner in creation and I wrote The Autobiography of Brutus Buckeye: As Told to His Parents, Sally Lanyon and Ray Bourhis. Our research for the book pulled on photos and stories from newspapers and the OSU archives as well as our own sometimes faulty memories.
The University celebrated Brutus’s 50th in a big way. On the eve of the Minnesota game, where Brutus had been introduced in 1965, Ray and I were honored at a ballroom-sized gala with Eddy George narrating the creation story. The following day, a smaller gathering of Brutus Alumni (Bruti) met for lunch. My heart was touched by all the former Brutuses who sought me out, declaring, “Being Brutus changed my life.”
I haven’t been able to forget their expressions of gratitude. With the advent of The Brutus Blog, I’m excited to start capturing first hand stories of the Bruti and others who are part of the Ohio State story.
It has been an amazing delight to see how Brutus has evolved and morphed and become such an integral part of Ohio State University. Brutus really has become the face of the university.
– Sally Lanyon, Ohio Magazine, November, 2015
May 6, 2018
Los Angeles
Draft, Book Reading
2107: Tucson Old Pueblo Club presentation.
July 23, 2018
San Francisco
Bloom, Book Signing
2017: Book signing at Main St. Books, Mansfield, Ohio, Sally’s home town.
August 5, 2018
New York
Say Cheese, Pre-Release Reading
2015: Barnes and Noble booking signing with Sally and co-author.
August 16, 2018
San Francisco
R.G.B., Book Signing / Author Meet & Greet
2015: Homecoming celebration for Brutus’s 50th. Fundraising gala at the Ohio Student Union for Brutus Scholarships honored the co-creators and all groups and individuals connected to Brutus since his inception. Also honored at half-time on the field with a giant birthday cake outlined by Ohio State’s infamous marching band.
August 16, 2018
San Francisco
R.G.B., Book Signing / Author Meet & Greet
2006: Homecoming theme was “Where’s Brutus?” Ray and I rode in the rumble seat of the Brutusmobile in the Homecoming parade. Afterward, we met up with Brutus at the pep rally.
September 30, 2015
The Autobiography of Brutus Buckeye
Non-Fiction
It’s normally good practice to steer clear of people who are nuts. But not in this case.
The story of The Ohio State University’s beloved mascot, Brutus Buckeye, is a lively account of his life, from his birth in 1965 on a sorority house lawn as a gigantic, papier-maché head, to who he is today, representing the heart of Buckeye fans around the world. Elected to the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2007, Brutus symbolizes joy, good deeds, and pride for one of the most well-known universities in the nation.
