The Brutus Blog is dedicated to Ohio State fans for being notoriously nuts about all things Buckeye, especially their mascot, Brutus Buckeye. The hope is that some of those fans will have their fancies tickled by information and insights on these pages, and that others will be inspired to share their stories here.
Bart Freidenberg: Memorializing Brutus Alumni in Mini Helmets
I had never been asked to autograph a mini helmet, much less anything else—this was before The Autobiography of Brutus Buckeye was even a sparklet of an idea. Bart Freidenberg’s call in 2013 was unexpected. I asked: “What exactly is a mini helmet?,” “Why are you...
Disco Dancing Brutus: Jack Tamburello, 1972 – 73
Sometimes a mother learns years later about what her children did in their youth. You can imagine my shock when I learned that Brutus Buckeye, the all-wonderful, kind, cheerful mascot of Ohio State, had tended bar at North Heidelberg. He never told me. Until now. ...
To Give or Not to Give: Impacting Students’ Lives Through Scholarships
Whether you’ve caught COVID, the flu or RSV, my wish is that the seasonal contagion you’ll catch instead is supporting student scholarships. If you want to pick one person to “be more like,” you might consider Jon Paul Peters, aka Big Nut, whose life purpose is...
He Loves an Audience: Tim Brown 1968-1971
Brutus has been involved in many great stunts during his lifetime, but one for the ages took place at the 1971 Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Tim Brown, personifying Brutus, who was still sporting his fiberglass head with the moveable eyebrows, worked up a pre-game skit with...
Super Fan: Big Nut and First Lady Nut
“Jon, what do you want to be when you grow up?” Snapping the straps of his overalls, the grandson of a dairy farmer replied, “Why an iconic Ohio State super fan, of course! Think I’ll call myself Big Nut.” The script didn’t exactly go that way, but that is the happy...
Brutus Battle of the Wits
What do and don’t you know about Brutus? Have fun playing this Brutus Battle of the Wits with family and friends. Created by Sally Lanyon, co-creator of Brutus, and Jim Baer, Block “O” president who captured the iconic photo of the first Brutus in 1965.
GLOSSARY
Block "O" – the official student section for Ohio State sports founded in 1938 and known for card antics
The Lantern – official, daily student-run campus newspaper
Ohio Stater – a member of Ohio Staters, Inc. Now coed, the honorary was all male when Brutus was created in 1965
'Shoe – Ohio Stadium, referring to its original horseshoe shape
Skull Session – Seated band practice in St. John Arena two hours prior to game time
TBDBITL – Ohio State Marching Band, lovingly called The Best Damn Band in the Land
TTUN - The Team Up North, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. Ohio State’s arch rival.
If any readers have Brutus, Block “O” or other memorabilia (ticket stubs to THE game), please will them to OSU Archives or turn them over within your lifetime.