COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Buckeye legend will take his place in one of the most memorable traditions in college athletics during the Ohio State football season opener next month.
Two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin will dot the "i" in Script Ohio on Aug. 31 during the halftime of the Ohio State vs. Akron game. Griffin is being recognized for his service to the university and his longtime support of The Ohio State University Marching Band, according to a release from the athletics department.
“The opportunity, in Ohio Stadium, to dot the “i” is a very special honor,” said Griffin. “I know that Woody was proud to have had that opportunity, and I am following in his footsteps and am extremely proud of this opportunity.”
The recognition, considered the greatest the band can extend to a nonmember, was presented by the “i-dotters” — the senior sousaphone members of the Ohio State Marching Band. The students visited Griffin at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center early in July to surprise him with the invitation.
Nick Pisanelli, one of the sousaphone players, said dotting the "i" is the highest honor they can receive.
“It’s a dream many of us have for years, one that we work hard for each day as a member of this band. It takes unrelenting dedication to finally be able to live that dream. Archie Griffin embodies that same spirit, and on the 50th anniversary of his first Heisman Trophy, we felt it was an easy decision to ask him to share this honor with us. He’s living proof that hard work, determination, and passion can take you anywhere, and we are so excited for him to join us as we all live out our dream," Pisanelli said. He is set to dot the "i" during the Ohio State vs. Nebraska game.
During Griffin's collegiate career, he rushed for a school-record 5,589 yards on 924 carries and scored 26 rushing touchdowns. Griffin also has a pair of Silver Footballs, which are presented annually by the Chicago Tribune to the Big Ten's MVP.
“When you see someone outside of the band dotting the “i”, you know that it is extraordinary. That is how I look at it,” says Griffin. “It is a big-time tradition for our band, university, fans and everyone who knows Ohio State. To give someone who is not part of the band the opportunity, it must be something special.”
The invitation to be an honorary i-dotter has only been extended to a few individuals over the years. Previous honorary i-dotters include comedian Bob Hope (1978), Woody Hayes (1983), Jack Nicklaus (2006), Sen. John and Annie Glenn (2009) and Marching Band director emeritus Jon R. Woods (2011). The most recent was former football coach Earle Bruce who dotted the "i" in 2016.
The Ohio State vs. Akron game is scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m.