Buying OSU Student Tickets

Submitted by LSA91 on

First, a confession - my daughter is a Freshman at OSU.   I know, there was nothing LSAMom and I could do.  

Second, a serious question that I should probably be putting on ElevenWarriors - what do people think about selling student tickets to passionately hated rivals?

My daughter thinks it would be fun for me to buy one of her friends' tickets and go to the Game with her, and I don't mind taking some shade personally, but I don't want to get her or the ticket-selling friend ostracized.   (My plan is to wear Michigan gear and cheer Michigan, but not to be a jerk about it).

Personally, I kind of love that one guy who shows up to a game in his school's gear and is just cheering away in the rival's color, but I like it better when he's from Indiana and we crush them than when he's from OSU.

pmark1210

November 5th, 2016 at 11:06 AM ^

you will not be safe. Seriously, I've been to enough games there to know it's not wise. student probably won't be too bad, but the other non student morans will make it extremely unpleasant. then imagine how bad when Ohio state loses.

In reply to by Dawggoblue

Bando Calrissian

November 5th, 2016 at 11:22 AM ^

Looking at their student ticket information guide (which is oddly complicated and Brandon-esque), OSU's ticket upgrade policy is that the student attached to the ticket has to personally upgrade the ticket (i.e., pay $150+ for the Michigan game) on the day of the game, at the ticket office at the stadium. It's not easy or convenient to do, apparently...

trueblue262

November 5th, 2016 at 11:11 AM ^

That stadium, and that fanbase = some of the most unstable large group of people anywhere. And then you add on top of that, the fact that they now sell beer in the stadium........True recipe for disaster.

I remeber a story that Brian shares now and then before "The Game" that describes one of his trips to Columbus years ago. It can get out of control, and it usually does. I posted the story below for your decision making. Be safe

http://mgoblog.com/content/pride-buckeyes

Bando Calrissian

November 5th, 2016 at 11:24 AM ^

It's improved a TON since Brian's experience. OSU put a lot of time, money, and effort into PSAs and outreach to try to quell the really outrageous issues against opposing-team fans, and it's worked. This game will be big, and certainly will put that stuff to the test, but it's not how it used to be.

jvocke

November 5th, 2016 at 11:58 AM ^

It is *night and day* different today versus what it was even 10 years ago.  Even in '06, I had absolutely no issues - of course with Bo passing the night before, there was almost a modicum of respect prior to the game.  Everyone was just excited about such a marquee matchup.  The buildup to that game was tremendous.

M-Dog

November 5th, 2016 at 2:22 PM ^

Not exactly the same thing, I know, but I went to the Michigan game at Maryland where they sell beer.  It's no big deal.

It's so damned expensive that nobody is getting rowdy drunk on stadium beer except some rich old alumni that's too tired and feeble to do anything about it.

If you are afraid of drunk Ohio State students and 20-30 year old fans, they'll already be drunk without the stadium beer factoring into it.

 

Bando Calrissian

November 5th, 2016 at 11:17 AM ^

Daughter or not, I cannot think of any reason why you would want to surround yourself with drunk OSU students during what will surely be a high-tension game. You're fine anywhere else in the stadium (yes, really), but the student section?

Also, let the student section be the student section. 

jcgold

November 5th, 2016 at 11:19 AM ^

I grew up in Cleveland, and sat in the student section with my OSU friends in my Michigan gear in 2006. Here's a list of things that happened to me during the game:

  1. Skittles/coins thrown at me all game long.
  2. Water bottle empied down the back of my shirt.
  3. A guy in the row behind me threatening to fight me, which my friends defused.

I also sat in the student section for the 2008 game, when none of these things happened.

Although I wore my Michigan gear during the game, I wore a black coat over all of my gear outside the stadium before the game. Where it can get really out of control is outside the stadium, where ushers (who in my several experiences down there, have always been friendly and gone out of their way to make sure I could come to them with any issues) are not present. 

Based on my experience, the inside experience should not be something you're worried about. Just be careful outside the stadium. And no, no one will ostrasize the ticket seller because you're a Michigan fan.

M-Dog

November 5th, 2016 at 2:15 PM ^

I will vouch for this.  You are OK inside the stadium where there are a lot of eyes and ears on potential trouble makers.

It's outside the stadium you have to be careful.

What worked for me was to wear a neutral color coat over my Michigan stuff outside the stadium, and then take it off inside the stadium.

jvocke

November 5th, 2016 at 11:34 AM ^

First, a quick note about my level of experience in the Shoe... this Nov 26 will mark my 28th consecutive attendance at "The Game", going back to my freshman year at Michigan.  So I've got 13 versions of the game in Columbus under my belt ranging from the 90's, when the shoe was on the other foot through the recent time period, where - well... you know.

My opinion to you is that you should do it.  I sat in Block O for the '96 game - gleefully watching women OSU fans' tears washing away Rose Bowl "cheek tattoo stickers".  In '98, sat in the senior section for students and In 2000, I actually bought an OSU student's season tickets just to have the Michigan game.  Pawned off the rest of the season to OSU friends and used the M tickets in November.  I sat in south stands and everything was fine.  All you have to do is not be the guy who is wildly cheering if M is doing well and they won't really bother you much. About the worst thing that happened to me in 2000 was a drunk OSU girl turned around to my wife after OSU scored and said, "How you like that, Michigan bitch?!".  We just laughed it off and I made a joke out of the comment.  If you sluff it off, you'll be fine.  When Henson faked the handoff to Thomas and went end around to seal the deal, I was screaming inside but silent outside.  Just sat there smiling.

I will also tell you that their dominance over M has healed alot of old wounds.  In '14, the fans were downright friendly... still in somewhat of a condescending way.

I cannot recommend more highly for you to just do it.  Watching the Game with your daughter, in Columbus... there are a finite number of times in a persons life to create truly remarkable memories together.  This is one of them.  Seize the moment!  Go Blue!

Tshimanga

November 7th, 2016 at 12:52 PM ^

My older brother lived in Columbus for a long period and attended the '96 game and I have probably heard him say at least 50 times over the years how that was his favorite game ever attended and that it was the most silent he has ever heard 100,000 + coming out of a loss

Rug Dog

November 5th, 2016 at 12:22 PM ^

Went to a OSU/UM game about 15 years ago, wore neutral colors.  I seen pieces of brick being ripped up off the curb and thrown at UM fans, beer bottles smacking people in the face, spit flying, fist fights, couch on fire.

It was super scary.

Most of it was at the Hineygate though, not in the student section.

Some people say you're fine, but after that experience, I will never go back to a OSU/UM game at the shoe.

 

 

OldMaize16

November 5th, 2016 at 1:07 PM ^

I sold my student tickets to OSU fans last year and will probably buy some student tickets from OSU fans this year. It's not that deep, it's still just a football game

mgoblue0970

November 5th, 2016 at 7:40 PM ^

If you sell your tickets to OSU fans, please, please, PLEASE don't ever buy tickets again.  I'll pay you not to buy tickets.  

You do realize when tOSU is in town, that's Senior Day right?!  Selling your tickets to a tOSU fan is incredible disrespectful.  They get an allotment; that should be it.

will

November 6th, 2016 at 12:09 AM ^

Ask your daughter how many tickets she can go and go with a group. Many student sections are GA seating.. safety in numbers..

I may go if I can find a cheap student ticket... which I don't think exists this year. ONLY hope was a osu loss, and tonight was the best shot at that.

LSA91

November 7th, 2016 at 9:55 AM ^

Thanks everyone.   Now the only downside is that student tickets are selling for $250-$300 before the upgrade, and I'm not confident a Dad wearing Michigan gear can get in on a student id.