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Topic: Steve Mix can't
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mf279801
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Posted: 3/3/2012 1:19 AM
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Tyler Charles wrote:expand_more
A bit of history on that one:  During the 2008 OU/OSU game, the 110 wanted to find a way to mock the OSU fans in their own stadium, and that chant was born during OSU's "O-H-I-O" chant that they pass around the stadium to the four different sections.  A couple of us in the 110 decided to add our own "U!" to the chant after the last "O!", and it caught on until the whole OU section was doing it the rest of the game, and then again in 2010 when we went.  So, I suppose apologies are in order to those of you who hate the U.  

But hey, it was born out of ignorance anyway?  Bonus points for that?!


Your history is incorrect. A member of this board added the U to A&M's O-H-I-O chant. We were seated in 2 sections clockwise from the 110 about 7-10 rows off the field. One of our group was a former OHIO cheerleader. In short, my friend did it, then our group of 4 did it and the people sitting around us did it, then the then the cheerleaders picked it up and it spread to the band and the upper-deck OHIO contingent, as well as the smattering of people around the stadium.

While I agree in general that we shouldn't refer to our selves as Ohio U, it served 2 important purposes on that day: (1) it royally pissed off the A&Mers, (2) it seriously cut into their use of that chant for much of that game (until they came back to take the lead in the 4th quarter). I don't apologize for my role in propagating it, and I doubt that the inventor of the U apologizes either.


You're definitely right, if anything we probably heard you guys doing it and joined in.  I wasn't too sure exactly where it came from myself, so thanks for clearing that up.  


No problem. I still smile when thinking about that game...well, about the first ~47 minutes of that game. I remember we also started doing a lightening dance 1-minute into the 3rd quarter (when we were pretty sure it'd be official if they had to cancel the game), haha.
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Posted: 3/3/2012 3:08 PM
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OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
It probably has more to do with playing at Toledo back in the days when we were Ohio U.


Our jersey's even back then said simply "Ohio."   We did various "OHIO" cheers when he played.  Our announcers referred to us as Ohio, though others did not.  He knows quite well that we are Ohio, but he just can't bring himself to say it hardly ever.  He's got an attitude, and it gives me an attitude just to listen to him. 


A lot of you guys make way too big a deal out of this "Ohio" thing. I went to "OU" from 1966-1970 and I never once heard us referred to as "Ohio." It was either Ohio U, Ohio University, or OU, mostly OU. To this day I have a hard time saying Ohio. It just sounds funny. When you've been saying something one way for almost 50 years, it's kind of hard to change.  If I'm asked where I went to school I normally say OU, or I might say "Harvard on the Hocking." To me we will always be "OU".
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 3/3/2012 3:52 PM
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Big Willy wrote:expand_more
It probably has more to do with playing at Toledo back in the days when we were Ohio U.


Our jersey's even back then said simply "Ohio."   We did various "OHIO" cheers when he played.  Our announcers referred to us as Ohio, though others did not.  He knows quite well that we are Ohio, but he just can't bring himself to say it hardly ever.  He's got an attitude, and it gives me an attitude just to listen to him. 


A lot of you guys make way too big a deal out of this "Ohio" thing. I went to "OU" from 1966-1970 and I never once heard us referred to as "Ohio." It was either Ohio U, Ohio University, or OU, mostly OU. To this day I have a hard time saying Ohio. It just sounds funny. When you've been saying something one way for almost 50 years, it's kind of hard to change.  If I'm asked where I went to school I normally say OU, or I might say "Harvard on the Hocking." To me we will always be "OU".


But your'e not a professional announcer.  Mix is paid to do it right, and he doesn't.  In the 1966-70 era we had several OHIO cheers.  Did you never join in the fun?  Did you not listen to our sports broadcast back then on WOUB?  The announcers -- including George Tyll and Joe Tate -- always said OHIO.  How do you refer to Indiana University in a sports context.  Do you usually say "Indiana U.," or "IU," or simply "Indiana"?  Come on, say "OHIO," it's really not that hard.   

Edit: I was George Tyll's color man once for baseball broadcast.  I'm really glad they don't still have a tape of that one. 
Last Edited: 3/3/2012 4:16:43 PM by OhioCatFan
Alan Swank
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Posted: 3/3/2012 4:21 PM
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Big Willy wrote:expand_more
It probably has more to do with playing at Toledo back in the days when we were Ohio U.


Our jersey's even back then said simply "Ohio."   We did various "OHIO" cheers when he played.  Our announcers referred to us as Ohio, though others did not.  He knows quite well that we are Ohio, but he just can't bring himself to say it hardly ever.  He's got an attitude, and it gives me an attitude just to listen to him. 


A lot of you guys make way too big a deal out of this "Ohio" thing. I went to "OU" from 1966-1970 and I never once heard us referred to as "Ohio." It was either Ohio U, Ohio University, or OU, mostly OU. To this day I have a hard time saying Ohio. It just sounds funny. When you've been saying something one way for almost 50 years, it's kind of hard to change.  If I'm asked where I went to school I normally say OU, or I might say "Harvard on the Hocking." To me we will always be "OU".


Well said, "young man."  Well said.
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Posted: 3/3/2012 5:01 PM
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How our beloved alma mater is referenced depends entirely on the audience.

Harvard on the Hocking is creative but only works well with alums, and more specifically alums from a certain era ( I never heard it called that when I was an under grad). It does not translate well regionally or nationally.

OU works fine locally and regionally, but it gets lost nationally. I hear people talk about OU all the time here in Texas but I don't think they're talking about the Bobcats.

I can understand the arguement for using Ohio U. But, from a marketing and branding standpoint the U diminishes the value of the brand. The U acts as a place holder and says "don't say State here". Building a national brand requires consistency and ultimately "OHIO" is more powerful visually and aurally than "Ohio U."
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Posted: 3/3/2012 5:02 PM
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I don't mind "OU" so much.  I even have an officially-licensed sweatshirt from the '80s that has an interlocking "OU" on the back.  In fact, I cringe every time I hear Oklahoma or Oregon referred to as "OU."  They have "University of" in their name; Ohio is the only true "OU."  But Mix should know better and do differently.  He's hired by the MAC, not by STO.  Someone who works for the conference should abide by the school's wishes.  Also, Ohio is the only school he adds "U' to.  Why treat us differently?
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Posted: 3/3/2012 5:31 PM
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Big Willy wrote:expand_more
It probably has more to do with playing at Toledo back in the days when we were Ohio U.


Our jersey's even back then said simply "Ohio."   We did various "OHIO" cheers when he played.  Our announcers referred to us as Ohio, though others did not.  He knows quite well that we are Ohio, but he just can't bring himself to say it hardly ever.  He's got an attitude, and it gives me an attitude just to listen to him. 


A lot of you guys make way too big a deal out of this "Ohio" thing. I went to "OU" from 1966-1970 and I never once heard us referred to as "Ohio." It was either Ohio U, Ohio University, or OU, mostly OU. To this day I have a hard time saying Ohio. It just sounds funny. When you've been saying something one way for almost 50 years, it's kind of hard to change.  If I'm asked where I went to school I normally say OU, or I might say "Harvard on the Hocking." To me we will always be "OU".


That's because we apparently had no clue how to market ourselves and to stand up for our own name. That's because no one listened to Vern Alden. It continues today as our athletic department lets too many things slide. From the things we say to the things cowtown puts on their shirts. And just because old people didn't know any better when they were in school, doesn't mean it's not the right thing. We are OHIO, but we haven't had the guts to stand up and take it. Stand up for your school and stand up for yourselves. Stop being pu***es.
Last Edited: 3/3/2012 5:33:13 PM by Deciduous Forest Cat
Monroe Slavin
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Posted: 3/4/2012 12:54 PM
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Didn't all the football tv games have the announcers saying "Ohio" almost all of the time?
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Posted: 3/4/2012 1:25 PM
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I go to Indianapolis frequently, and they refer to Indiana University as "IU" all the time. My niece who graduated from Purdue, married an IU man. He says it all the time. Although I can see the point of the Ohio branding philosophy, I too have trouble saying "Ohio". We always said OU or Ohio U. Indiana has IU on their unis and helmets, if I recall. Why not just embrace it?
bigtillyoopsupsideurhead
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Posted: 3/4/2012 1:28 PM
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Monroe Slavin wrote:expand_more
Didn't all the football tv games have the announcers saying "Ohio" almost all of the time?


Every version of Game notes and every media guide we put out contains the following note: 


Media Guide wrote:expand_more
"When referring to the Bobcats, please use Ohio. Ohio University is acceptable when using other institutions’ full 
names. Please do not use Ohio U or OU. Thank you."


http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ohio/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/release/release_20120228aaa.pdf 
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Posted: 3/4/2012 1:33 PM
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Pataskala wrote:expand_more
I don't mind "OU" so much.  I even have an officially-licensed sweatshirt from the '80s that has an interlocking "OU" on the back.  In fact, I cringe every time I hear Oklahoma or Oregon referred to as "OU."


But have you ever corrected them? 

I refer to Oregon as the U of O and Oklahoma as U of O at N.
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Posted: 3/4/2012 2:22 PM
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giacomo wrote:expand_more
I go to Indianapolis frequently, and they refer to Indiana University as "IU" all the time. My niece who graduated from Purdue, married an IU man. He says it all the time. Although I can see the point of the Ohio branding philosophy, I too have trouble saying "Ohio". We always said OU or Ohio U. Indiana has IU on their unis and helmets, if I recall. Why not just embrace it?



no one is saying you can't or shouldn't say OU in conversation, this is about the audience. when you refer to Ohio University as OU you're assuming the person you're speaking to knows what you mean. If you live in Ohio saying OU makes since, if you live in Texas like I do saying OU does not produce the desired results.

the difference between you and media professionals is the scope of your audience.
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Posted: 3/4/2012 4:35 PM
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perimeterpost wrote:expand_more
How our beloved alma mater is referenced depends entirely on the audience.

Harvard on the Hocking is creative but only works well with alums, and more specifically alums from a certain era ( I never heard it called that when I was an under grad). It does not translate well regionally or nationally.

OU works fine locally and regionally, but it gets lost nationally. I hear people talk about OU all the time here in Texas but I don't think they're talking about the Bobcats.

I can understand the argument for using Ohio U. But, from a marketing and branding standpoint the U diminishes the value of the brand. The U acts as a place holder and says "don't say State here". Building a national brand requires consistency and ultimately "OHIO" is more powerful visually and aurally than "Ohio U." [Emphasis Mine]


Probably the best, most well-reason, and best written post on this subject I've ever seen on this board.  You hit the nail squarely on the head.  The part that I put in bold I think is particularly important.  Using the "U" is defining ourselves by who we are not.  It's negative rather than affirmative from a marketing standpoint.  It's like saying, "We are a university in the State of Ohio that's not that big one in Columbus with the well known football team."  
Last Edited: 3/4/2012 4:36:32 PM by OhioCatFan
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Posted: 3/5/2012 10:30 AM
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I wonder why Indiana or IU, who, one could argue, is a more prestigious university in many ways, doesn't feel slighted by saying "IU" when referring to itself. Could it be that we have an inferiority complex?
Tim Burke
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Posted: 3/5/2012 10:38 AM
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giacomo wrote:expand_more
I wonder why Indiana or IU, who, one could argue, is a more prestigious university in many ways, doesn't feel slighted by saying "IU" when referring to itself. Could it be that we have an inferiority complex?


Because the University of Iowa calls themselves UI and the  University of Idaho calls themselves U of I, not IU. 

You are missing the point.
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Posted: 3/5/2012 10:44 AM
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giacomo wrote:expand_more
I wonder why Indiana or IU, who, one could argue, is a more prestigious university in many ways, doesn't feel slighted by saying "IU" when referring to itself. Could it be that we have an inferiority complex?


Many of us here say IU. Very few say PU though.....just does not sound right....And I constantly tell people here in Indiana .... "ohio". and they constantly say "State?" and I have to ask them what they call the place in Terra Haute and East Lansing as opposed to Bloomington and Ann Arbor.....then they get it. First and Finest. I do think is easy to say OU but find saying  Ohio U somewhat not natural....
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Posted: 3/5/2012 9:49 PM
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giacomo wrote:expand_more
I go to Indianapolis frequently, and they refer to Indiana University as "IU" all the time. My niece who graduated from Purdue, married an IU man. He says it all the time. Although I can see the point of the Ohio branding philosophy, I too have trouble saying "Ohio". We always said OU or Ohio U. Indiana has IU on their unis and helmets, if I recall. Why not just embrace it?


Because Oklahoma owns the trademark on the interlocking OU format that you see in the college bookstore, much like we own the trademark of the singular Ohio.  Oregon used interlocking U and O previously, but in that order, and never use it now except in a rare throwback helmet.

And if we own a trademark to something, why wouldn't we maximize the use it?

I spent some time talking to Coach Groce Saturday about our branding, and while he would use whatever he is asked to use, his preference would be to use the arch Ohio with the Attack Cat under it all the time, like on the floor in the Convo.  On a couple day's thought, I agree with him, as it emphasizes the logo, the trade name, and it is a significant differentiator from the nuts for those that haven't learned the who we are yet.
Last Edited: 3/5/2012 9:59:35 PM by D.A.
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Posted: 3/5/2012 11:58 PM
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D.A. wrote:expand_more
I spent some time talking to Coach Groce Saturday about our branding, and while he would use whatever he is asked to use, his preference would be to use the arch Ohio with the Attack Cat under it all the time, like on the floor in the Convo.  On a couple day's thought, I agree with him, as it emphasizes the logo, the trade name, and it is a significant differentiator from the nuts for those that haven't learned the who we are yet.

I agree with Coach Groce here.
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Posted: 3/6/2012 12:07 PM
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In the times I say "ohio' instead of OU or Ohio U or Ohio University, I have to explain that I didn't go to Ohio State and that we're in Athens, Ohio, yada yada. I don't really feel like doing that all the time, so I say "Ohio University in Athens Ohio" and that ends it.
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Posted: 3/6/2012 3:03 PM
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giacomo wrote:expand_more
In the times I say "ohio' instead of OU or Ohio U or Ohio University, I have to explain that I didn't go to Ohio State and that we're in Athens, Ohio, yada yada. I don't really feel like doing that all the time, so I say "Ohio University in Athens Ohio" and that ends it.


When seen wearing OHIO apparel and someone asks the school's location, my stock reply: "Ohio is located in Athens - and is not to be confused with our much younger and much bigger sister to the north in Columbus."  Typical reaction is a chuckle and a nod of understanding.
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Posted: 3/6/2012 5:11 PM
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One other thing I would like to see incorporated on all of our uniforms: the state flag of Ohio, similar to the use of the American flag on professional sports/olympic sports uniforms.  That would drive home some ownership of "OHIO", and I would think that the state legislature would find that flattering.

It would also make for a really cool football helmet if we came out of the Rufus head with only the Ohio state flag on the side of the helmet for special games, say against Marshall.

Right now only the Jackets are using the Ohio flag in any significant way in sports, and think we would be the only college team in Ohio that would be doing so.
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Posted: 3/6/2012 5:34 PM
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Tim Burke wrote:expand_more
I wonder why Indiana or IU, who, one could argue, is a more prestigious university in many ways, doesn't feel slighted by saying "IU" when referring to itself. Could it be that we have an inferiority complex?


Because the University of Iowa calls themselves UI and the  University of Idaho calls themselves U of I, not IU. 

You are missing the point.



No, actually, I think you missed HIS point.  Indiana doesn't have a problem with IU, so why do we waste so much energy on this meaningless issue?


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Posted: 3/6/2012 5:44 PM
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A lot of what is getting discussed here is the difference between branding and communicating.  Developing an OHIO brand makes a great deal of sense and, as stated above, putting a U at the end defines who we are not, as much as who we are - and an argument can be made for that.  Simply being OHIO is what we want our brand to be and that's fine.  However, It does not work as a communicative name - especially, as mentioned above, outside the region.

When asked where I went to school, if I say "OHIO" that will get one of three responses: "where in Ohio?", "Ohio what"  or "Ohio State?"the first two are actually intelligent, rational responses.  If I say OU - they have no clue - nor should they - though alum do. I always say Ohio University (which half the time still gets a "is that the same as Ohio State?").  For what it is worth, if you ask someone who goes to/or went to University of North Carolina where they went to school, the majority will say "Chapel Hill" - and everyone in state knows exactly where they mean.  Out of state - they need to elaborate.
Last Edited: 3/6/2012 5:47:17 PM by cc-cat
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Posted: 3/6/2012 6:24 PM
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I guess branding takes time and if we are consistant with the message, it should sink in. It will take a long time, IMO. They must think it's worth it. More than anything, I think they are trying to shed the old OU = party school image.
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Posted: 3/6/2012 7:04 PM
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Most of my Ohio stuff says simply Ohio, in green and white or gray. I've never had anyone look at it and say buckeye this or that. Maybe those that do are just too stupid to be acknowledged?
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