I know I am only a freshman and still naïve, but I feel few apologies must be made after this weekend.

First, I wish to apologize to the fans of a particular northern team. Someone failed to inform them they were playing at Ohio State, home of the Buckeyes, in a contest with heavy Bowl Game pressures. It is a shame their fans had to be shocked by our unified cheering and dominant spirit. It is also understandable they were offended by the “language” of our college students; they rarely get to experience a good home game of their own. Just consider the team.

Secondly, somebody needs to apologize to the law enforcement and stadium employees for the situation they were placed in. Not only did they lack the ability to prohibit the celebrating on the field, but they also lacked the heart to do so. Tradition rings true even in their position and few honestly wanted to restrain the triumphant crowd. Personally, I wish to acknowledge the polite ushers in A/AA deck near section 10. They knew the burning desires of the crowd, yet restrained the pressing multitude with the purpose of keeping the lone police officer from being overrun, not because they wanted to follow orders.

Finally, I would like to apologize to President Holbrook. Let’s be honest — she can not possibly conceive the magnitude of her misjudgment. I respect the other team, their fans and their rights; the OSU students in general do not wish anything personal or it would occur before the game as much as after the game. But this whole issue against storming the field? Allowing the unwilling to exit peacefully is a reasonable intention, but simply forbidding students to be a part of their own history is ridiculous at best. Please tell me we have a “leader” with better sense to think she can prevent more than 50,000 eager fans from rushing. Then again, it does take more than 2 months at a Big Ten school for a university president to appreciate tradition at least as old as she.

But I am only a freshman. What should I know about spirit and respect, jubilance and courtesy, tradition and admiration? I guess I still have a lot to learn.

Amanda J. Hardesty

freshman in natural resources

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