Football: Update From New Orleans – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Buckeyes have walk-through in Superdome; Tressel and captains speak at Buckeye Bash
NEW ORLEANS Approximately 20,000 fans attended the Buckeye Bash at the convention center in downtown New Orleans Sunday as the 2008 BCS National Championship game between Ohio State and LSU is now less than 24 hours away.
OSU head coach Jim Tressel held his final press conference at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Marriott, which was preceded by LSU coach Les Miles’ press conference and then photos of the two coaches together with the national championship trophy. See below for a link to audio and transcripts from the two press conferences Sunday.
The Buckeyes then held a walk-through in the Louisiana Superdome for about an hour before bussing back to the Hilton through downtown New Orleans, which was filled with Ohio State and LSU fans.
BUCKEYE BASH DESCENDS ON CONVENTION CENTER
The New Orleans Convention Center was filled with about 20,000 Ohio State fans Sunday afternoon for the annual Buckeye Bash, the OSU alumni association’s official pep rally since 1969. A host of speakers were cheered by the crowd, including alumni association president Archie Griffin, President Gordon Gee, Director Athletics Gene Smith and Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman.
Those speakers were followed by head coach Jim Tressel who introduced Kirk Barton, Vernon Gholston, Dionte Johnson and James Laurinaitis, who will captain the Buckeyes Monday night. Johnson and Laurinaitis spoke on behalf of the respective offensive and defensive units. The crowd then parted and the Ohio State marching band marched on to the stage for a performance.
PRESS CONFERENCE AUDIO AND TRANSCRIPT LINK
Log on to www.SugarBowlMedia.com for complete audio and transcripts of all Ohio State and LSU press conferences this week in New Orleans. In addition, check out www.OhioStateBuckeyes.com for Jim Tressel’s complete transcript and audio from his press conference Sunday.
SUNDAY WALK-THROUGH PHOTOS AVAILABLE AT…
A photo album from Ohio State’s walk-through Sunday is posted with this release at www.OhioStateBuckeyes.com.
FOLLOWING THE BUCKEYES…
Log on to www.OhioStateBuckeyes.com to check out a blog following the Buckeyes in New Orleans this week. A photo album is linked to the blog, with new pictures added daily.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Check out www.OhioStateBuckeyes.com for a feature story from Friday on how the Ohio State academic support staff is helping the team keep up with their classes since the BCS national championship game is causing the Buckeyes to miss the first four days of winter quarter.
In addition, recaps and photos from practice Thursday and Friday and a look at media day Saturday are available at www.OhioStateBuckeyes.com.
### OhioStateBuckeyes.com ###
