COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State football Buckeyes aren't the only ones practicing for the Outback Bowl. The 225-musician Ohio State University Marching Band is also preparing for a trip to Tampa and a national TV appearance. The Marching Band is rehearsing and spreading its own style of Buckeye cheer prior to the Jan. 1, 2001, football game.

Before leaving Columbus, the band will rehearse at French Field House on Wednesday (12/27) from 2 to 5 p.m. and on Thursday (12/28) from 8 to 9:30 a.m.

The band plans to perform its feature show, Earth, Wind and Fire during the pre-game portion of the Outback Bowl. Five minutes of the halftime show will be devoted to the Ohio State University Marching Band as it performs “Buckeye Battle Cry,” “Sloopy” and a DOUBLE Script Ohio.

In Tampa, media are encouraged to cover the band's open rehearsal at Clearwater High School, Gulf to Bay Blvd. at Hercules Ave., at 10 a.m. on New Year's Eve. Nearly 100 band alumni in the area have been invited to bring their instruments and participate in an impromptu pep rally following the rehearsal.

The band will rehearse and play at several other Outback Bowl-related events:

• Saturday (12/30), the band will perform at 12:30 p.m. for Outback Bowl Beach Day at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort, and at 4 p.m. at Busch Gardens in Tampa.
• Sunday (12/31), following the open rehearsal at Clearwater High School, the band will perform from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Buckeye Bash, Tampa Convention Center; at 5:30 p.m. in the TECO Energy New Year's Eve Parade in Ybor City, Tampa; and at 7 p.m. at the Ybor Bowl Blast in Ybor City.
• The Outback Bowl kicks off at 11 a.m. Monday (1/1) on ESPN. The band begins the day with a 6:30 a.m. walkthrough at Clearwater High School, and pre-game performances beginning at 8 a.m.

Contact: In Columbus, David Carwile, (614) 292-9678; or Jon Woods, band director, (614) 292-2598. In Tampa, at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort, contact Jon Woods or David Carwile, at (727) 461-3222, or by cell at (614) 323-5195.

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