BRUTUS
BUCKEYE
1977 – 1982
Another attempt at putting Brutus on a
diet fails.
00 BRUTUS BUCKEYE
5’11”
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Major: Entertainment
DOB: 10.30.1965
The smaller version, which closely
resembled the original, might have lost
a few inches in size, but put on nearly
60 lbs. in weight! The version retained
the happy face, which went to waist
level of the performing person, but
added a ball cap to rest on top of
Brutus’ head.
The model was well-received by fans,
but not necessarily by those who
looked after Brutus!
The mascot remained a part of the
cheerleading squad, however, instead
of an existing cheerleading member
being chosen to be Brutus, different
requirements were created, and a
separate tryout was held.
This is the current process for
mascot selection.
1982
Brutus worked out at the gym and lost
his bell-shaped appearance.
1965
A Buckeye mascot first appeared at the
OSU vs. Minnesota Homecoming game.
The idea and design for the mascot
came from Ray Bourhis, who then got
help making the nut from his student
organization, Ohio Staters, Inc.
This large papier-mache shell was wellreceived by the thousands of Ohio State
fans at the game. The mascot was a
smiling nut with human legs.
A campus-wide contest to determine
the name for the newborn nut was
held and judges announced that the
winning entry was “Brutus Buckeye,”
submitted by Kerry Reed.
He returned to Ohio Stadium with a
trim figure, sporting a scarlet and gray
striped shirt with “Brutus” on the front,
and “00” on the back.
His pants were scarlet, with the name
of his great school embroidered on the
sides.
1987
The university trademarks a picture of
Brutus that is now produced on
countless products.
1999
Brutus writes his first book, The Spirit
of a Buckeye: Brutus Buckeye’s
Lessons for Life.