COLUMBUS, -- The celebration of Ohio State's national championship will be similar to a fall Saturday afternoon at Ohio Stadium.
About the only thing that will be missing is a game.
With thousands of fans expected, Ohio State officials say they will be ready with a full complement of game-day management staff.
"If we don't, we run the risk of not being ready for the crowd that might come," spokeswoman Elizabeth Conlisk said Wednesday.
The 45-minute celebration begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Gates will open at 11 a.m.
The event is free. Seating is first-come, first-served, though about 16,000 seats have been reserved for students.
Conlisk said fans are advised to arrive early in case of a big crowd at the stadium, which seats 101,568.
"There is no overflow location," she said. "If people do not get into the stadium by the time the program starts and there is no space, there is nothing we can do."
Players, coaches and officials will gather on a platform near the center of the football field. Athletic director Andy Geiger will lead the event and the speakers will include coach Jim Tressel and players, along with university President Karen Holbrook, Gov. Bob Taft and Mayor Michael Coleman.
As it does before a game, the band will come out of the tunnel on the north side of the stadium and will perform "Script Ohio." Conlisk said Tressel asked the band to perform because the players have never seen the band come on to the field since they always are in the locker room then.
Holbrook said the event was chosen for a Saturday so that more people could come.
"The whole purpose of this was to really allow everybody to celebrate," she said.
The university would prefer people did not tailgate.
"We're not encouraging it, we're not discouraging it," Conlisk said. "But the issue it it's going to be very, very cold."
Ohio State is anticipating that many at the celebration do not normally go to football games since they have not had the opportunity to follow the team like those who have had season tickets, Conlisk said.
That means there may be fans not as familiar with traffic and parking around the stadium and what they are allowed to bring into the stadium.
Like the event, parking is free. But university officials say to allow plenty of time to park.
A bridge near the stadium has been closed to vehicles and many streets leading to the stadium may become one-way before the event if traffic warrants. After the event, most streets headed away from the stadium will be one way to clear traffic quickly.
The university wants the parking lots cleared by 3 p.m. so they will be available for evening events.
Like for football games, fans cannot bring coolers, backpacks, large handbags, umbrellas or chair-back seats. The university also recommends not bringing hard-to-search items such as baby strollers.
Cameras and video recorders may be brought along with uncased binoculars, small handbags, pages, cell phones, seat cushions and extra clothing.
No one will be allowed on the field.
Originally published Thursday, January 16, 2003
