Any Ohio State student shouldn’t need a reason to jump into Mirror Lake Thursday night but, if you do, consider why I think this young tradition is OSU’s finest.
The reason that this young tradition is our best is because it is by the students, of the students and for the students. There are many great Ohio State traditions, events, and organizations, but none other is as important as the Mirror Lake jump.
The jump was founded by students and it continues because of students. There is no organization telling people that this is the thing to do, USG and OUAB doesn’t organize, advertise, or find sponsors for it and the university doesn’t officially endorse it. It happens because students want it to and because students alone are willing to abandon any sense of self-preservation to take part in this show of pride and tradition.
This tradition is also the most inclusive event students at Ohio State can bond over. For example, the Michigan game in itself is a great tradition, but it is open to people of all walks of life, alumni, students, fans, and opposing fans. The Mirror Lake jump is participated in by only OSU students.
Throughout the year, there are dozens of incredible OSU clubs and organizations that all have their own pride and traditions. However, these groups are either by choice or by their nature only accessible to a very small number of people, especially when compared to the thousands of students that go here. The Mirror Lake jump on the other hand, is open to all OSU students.
No matter what you do 364 days out of the year, whether or not you care about football or if are already partake in any of the myriad of great OSU traditions, go to Mirror Lake tonight and jump in. It is our tradition as students and it is something that we all should be proud of.
