OSU Marching Band prepares for return to Outback Bowl

Fans are invited to rehearsals in Columbus and Tampa

COLUMBUS – The Ohio State football Buckeyes aren't the only ones practicing for a return to the Outback Bowl. The 225-musician Ohio State University Marching Band is also preparing for its 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, 2002, football game.

Before leaving Columbus, the band will rehearse at French Field House on Friday (12/28) from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The band plans to perform its acclaimed feature show, United We Stand, 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. Last year, more than 1200 fans and local residents made their way to the event, turning the rehearsal into a full-blown performance. As was the case last season, nearly 100 band alumni in the area have been invited to bring their instruments and participate in what is sure to become an impromptu pep rally following the rehearsal.

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

Sunday (12/30), the band will perform at for Outback Bowl Beach Day at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort, which begins at 11 a.m.
Monday (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.
Tuesday (1/1), the Outback Bowl kicks off at 11 a.m. on ESPN. The band begins the day with a 6:30 a.m. walk through at Clearwater High School, and pre-game performances beginning at 8 a.m.

Contact: In Columbus, David Carwile, (614) 292-9678 ext. 4-9841; 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) 323-4046.

*150- and 300-dpi images of the Band's famous "Script Ohio" are available for download at http://www.osuband.org/script.html

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