Links
Brutus Buckeye Turns Sixty: Insider’s Stories
Brutus Buckeye has had loads of media attention over the years, but this may be the most heartwarming story you’ve read. Tracy Stuck, of Student Life, goes inside the lives of multiple people who are part of bringing Brutus to life. A portion of her interviews with the founders and people who donned the Brutus head since 1965 are in this spread in the Ohio State Alumni Magazine. Brutus is far more than a mascot. Brutus exemplifies the values of caring, teamwork and joy. He touches the lives of so many people, but especially those who have been Brutus during their time as students.
Brutus enjoys his 60th birthday cake, a custom creation by the Columbus bakery Love Riley. Photo courtesy of The Ohio State Alumni Magazine.
Lantern brutus video article
Take a look at the fun video OSU student Abby Periatt and three colleagues produced for The Lantern, the student voice of The Ohio State University, about the beginning and evolution of Brutus, interspersed with campus interviews. Great reporting, Abby, Thomas Beebe, Riley Rottkamp and Josh Recker. I enjoyed being part of the production. Thank you!
The brutus brigade
Brutus has always been my baby, but he belongs to the entire Ohio State community. That's why the Brutus Brigade was created. It's a team of dedicated students who work tirelessly behind the scenes to help Brutus be his best self. They are his hands, his feet, his heart. They do everything from helping him connect with students and fans to creating highlight reels for the national mascot competition. The competition is always a big deal, and the Brigade gives their all to make sure Brutus shines. The video shows all the hard work they put in, from practicing their public performance to getting feedback from former Brutus alumni.
BRUTUS HAS A HEART
In her recent time off from her career as a flight attendant with American Airlines, Mary Burnett Brown, Brutus 1981-82, took a writing course, created a website and published a book of poems based on the series of poems she read to her Instagram audience (@marybrownsheartpoetry). Mary appropriately calls herself the “Heart-Opening Warrior.” Congratulations, Mary!
Brutus History on the Web and TV
Twelve Days of Buckeyes
The staff at OSU Archives were a blessing to work with when I was researching the evolution of Brutus for The Autobiography of Brutus Buckeye. I encourage everyone who has personal Brutus memorabilia to plan to donate it to the Archives when they are ready to part with owning it.
Happy 50th Birthday, Brutus!
In 2015, Ohio State celebrated the 50th birthday of Brutus Buckeye in grand style: students spelling out 50, a Block O stunt, Brutus as grand marshal of the homecoming parade, and a fundraising gala for Brutus scholarships.
Brutus Through The Years
Brutus has changed substantially over the years. After a false start with Chris, a dog, as mascot in 1941, there was a mascot hiatus until 1965. This article highlights photos of the changes from 1965 to present.
Brutus Buckeye: The history of the biggest nut in college football
Kevin Landers, reporter for 10TV in Columbus, and his CBS affiliate reporters throughout the country, did a series of interviews in 2018. The series features Brutus alumni Keith Burkes, Sandy Glowacki Foreman, Emily Moor Williams, Dave Hocevar, Alan Kuntz, Mike Caporal and myself. Fun facts and photos! Thanks, Kevin, for orchestrating it!
Interviews with Brutus Buckeye Co-creators
Mansfield Sr. Grad Turns Autobiography of Brutus Buckeye
"Sally Lanyon had no idea her creation would become a legendary entity, but that's exactly what happened."
Oral Histories at OSU Archives
The OSU Archives, so instrumental in providing photos for The Autobiography of Brutus Buckeye, also collects oral histories. Here’s one they did with Ray Bourhis and me in 2014 sharing our memories of the creation of Brutus in 1965. I chuckle at how Ray and I don’t always have quite the same memories!
Birth of a Buckeye
Ohio Magazine captures some of the story that wasn’t included in The Autobiography of Brutus Buckeye. The photo is a fun one because Brutus’s head is so large that when he hugs you, your head gets squished. The event was the Pi Beta Phi Founders’ Day in Columbus in 2014 when about 10 of us who were initiated in 1964 came back to receive our Golden Arrows. Brutus surprised me for this reunion! He ran across the room in slo-mo to sweep me up in his arms. Brutus doesn’t speak, of course, but I could feel him sighing, “Mom!”