Facebook 500K – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/4/2010 12:00:00 AM | General
Buckeye Social Media Site Hits Half-a-Million Fans
COLUMBUS, Ohio – An Ohio State athletics landmark was reached in cyberspace over the weekend as www.Facebook.com/Buckeyes – the official Facebook fan page for the OSU athletics department – topped 500,000 followers.
The social media destination for Buckeye faithful worldwide has experienced rapid and enormous growth since being reintroduced as a fan page in Nov. 2008. Since June 2010, the page has added more than 100,000-plus followers in less than two-month increments. The site reached 300,000 June 6 and 400,000 Aug. 1 before eclipsing the half-million mark at the beginning of October this weekend.
The site’s popularity has started to reach outside Buckeye Nation as fans from across the country have joined in the experience of following everything Ohio State in the social media circles, including faithful from one certain school known to Ohio State fans as “That Team Up North.”
“The Ohio State following on Facebook is unquestioned as strong as any in the country,” Pat Kindig, Ohio State director of public relations and branding and an administrator for Facebook.com/Buckeyes, said. “What has been interesting to watch is how rival fans also have joined in from across the country to engage in some friendly banter on the site. It just continues to feed the great following collegiate athletics has built. It is fun and that’s what it should be for fans. That’s part of the experience.”
“I’m a Texas A&M Aggie, but I have to admit, Buckeye fans are second to none. Y’alls pride for your team, year after year, is really something.” – George Jones III, via Facebook comment (Sept. 30).
Ohio State’s Facebook exposure is not limited to within the U.S. borders. In fact, it is followed in nearly 20 countries and more 20 languages (including some clever followers who claim to speak English-Pirate).
Facebook.com/Buckeyes offers fans a connection to all that goes on within Ohio State athletics, including breaking news, photos, video, event promotions and more. Recently, Ohio State Facebook fans have participated in player of the game polls on the site and the winners are printed in each week’s game program.
Ohio State’s Facebook Fan Growth
- Oct. 3, 2010 – 500,000
- Aug. 1, 2010 – 400,000
- June 6, 2010 – 300,000
- Feb. 18, 2010- 250,000
- Oct. 30, 2009 – 200,000
- Aug. 14, 2009 – 150,000
- May 11, 2009 – 100,000
- Jan. 16, 2009 – 50,000
- Nov. 7, 2008 – 20,000
Follow individual Buckeye sports team on Facebook and Twitter
FACEBOOK:
- Ohio State University Women’s Basketball
- The Ohio State University Cheerleaders (www.facebook.com/OSUCHEER)
- Ohio State University Field Hockey
- Ohio State Women’s Gymnastics
- The Ohio State University Hockey (Men’s) (www.facebook.com/ohiostatemenshockey)
- Ohio State University Women’s Hockey (www.facebook.com/ohiostatewomenshockey)
- Ohio State University Men’s Soccer (www.facebook.com/OhioStateMensSoccer)
- Ohio State Tennis (Men) (www.facebook.com/osutennis)
- Ohio State University Men’s Track and Cross Country (www.facebook.com/OSUtrackXC)
- Ohio State University Women’s Track and Cross Country (www.facebook.com/OSUwtrackXC)
- Ohio State Women’s Volleyball
TWITTER:
- Men’s Golf: www.twitter.com/OhioState_MGOLF
- Women’s Golf: www.twitter.com/OhioState_WGOLF
- Women’s Gymnastics: www.twitter.com/OSUWGYM
- Men’s Hockey: www.twitter.com/OhioState_MHKY
- Women’s Hockey: www.twitter.com/OhioState_WHKY
- Men’s Lacrosse: www.twitter.com/OhioState_MLAX
- Women’s Lacrosse: www.twitter.com/OhioState_WLAX
- Men’s Soccer: www.twitter.com/OhioState_MSOC
- Softball: www.twitter.com/OhioStSoftball
- Men’s Tennis: www.twitter.com/osutennis
- Women’s Volleyball: www.twitter.com/ohiostatewvball
- Wrestling: www.twitter.com/wrestlingbucks
