Rivalry Week's 'i' dotter carrying on a family tradition
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Rivalry Week is here, with the Ohio State University Buckeyes set to play Michigan on Saturday, and this week, it’s all about traditions.
One of the Ohio State marching band's longest traditions is the iconic script Ohio performed by the band at every home game, which takes more than 200 members to execute successfully, but only one gets the honor each game of dotting the 'i'.
The tradition has been around since 1936. Some consider it the greatest honor the band can bestow on a member. This year, that duty during the Michigan game will be performed by fifth-year sousaphone player Andrew Moulas.
“It’s been a long time waiting for this so I'm excited to have my moment in the spotlight," Andrew Moulas said.
It's a dream he's had his sights set on for as long as he can remember.
"Of course, I grew up a Buckeye fan," Andrew Moulas said. "My dad brought me up to skull session and all sorts of things growing up, listening to Ohio State marching band music around the house."
Andrew's dad, Dean Moulas, is a former Ohio State sousaphone player. He also dotted the 'i' during the 50th anniversary of script Ohio in 1986.
"There aren't that many people who have done it," Dean Moulas said.
Especially not many father-and-son duos. There's an even smaller number of people who can say they've done it for the rivalry game.
"The fact that it's Michigan at home, that makes it a really big deal because the stadium is alive in ways it not always is," Dean Moulas said.
Andrew Moulas said to be able to end his Ohio State marching band career on this note is indescribable.
"When we come down the ramp to start pregame and everyone's clapping," Andrew Moulas said. "The drum major runs down the ramp and you just hear the roar of everyone."
Andrew Moulas said the adrenaline leading up to the game and being down on the field is like no other.
"That all leads up to the 'i' dot moment when you hear the sousaphone player get picked up and people just start yelling and it starts to get really exciting for the person getting to live out their dream," Andrew Moulas said.
"This is going to be really special for him because it's such a big event," Dean Moulas said.
The privilege of dotting the 'i' during script Ohio is usually given to a senior sousaphone player who has worked their way through the band.
"I've been in different cities around the country, and you bring up being in the marching band, and people know exactly,” Andrew Moulas said. “They're like, 'Oh do you dot the 'i?’ so actually fulfilling that dream of mine just makes it all the better.”