It doesn't matter who wins Saturday's annual showdown, this is something we will  always lord over Ohio State.

The Famed 'Script Ohio' Tradition Is A Michigan Invention

Since 1936, the highlight of the Ohio State Marching Band's pre-game show is the band spelling out "OHIO" in cursive, and then giving the honor to dot the "I" to some tunny senior tuba player. But did you know the Michigan band invented the script Ohio formation.

It's true, even Ohio State's web page has to admit it.

(Ohio Sate band director Eugene) Weigel was ...present in 1932 when the University of Michigan Marching Band took the field at Ohio Stadium.  According to the student newspaper, The Michigan Daily: “Probably the most effective single formation was the word ‘OHIO’ spelled out in script diagonally across the field in the double-deck Ohio stadium to the accompaniment of the O.S.U. marching song, ‘Fight the Team.’

Michigan v Ohio State
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The OSU Band Rarely Gave Michigan Credit Until They Had To

For years credit for the script Ohio was given to Weigel, but eventually the original article from the Michigan Daily was found and popped up online as certifiable proof.

It's tough to deny photographic proof, but it's even harder to deny published proof that the Michigan band did the script Ohio back in 1932, but it's right there in black and white.

Courtesy University of Michigan
Courtesy University of Michigan
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The Michigan Victors web page loves the trolling aspect of the M band's first 1932 unveiling of the script Ohio, because they followed it by flowing right into a script 'Mich' and then the famed block 'M' formation.

I love that apparently, the band didn’t stop there, mixing in a MICH (was it a script MICH?) along with the traditional block ‘M’.

Yes, you will find lovers of the Buckeyes and @TDBITL who will tell you that this formation is something different from what the OSU band forms today. To these diehards, I offer my pity.  Just accept that it was done before you and appreciate that you perfected it.  Just like we did with the winged helmet.  And winning football games.

And to make matters worse for the Buckeyes, Michigan shut out Ohio State that afternoon in Columbus, 14-0.

Yeah, about that winged helmet. Princeton invented THAT, and Michigan State wore it before Michigan did. But that's another story.

So, on behalf of Wolverine fans everywhere, you're welcome and GO BLUE!!

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