When the Ohio State University Marching Band's famous Script Ohio formation comes to a climax with the dotting of the "I", it's a cherished moment not only for the fans but also for the chosen sousaphone player whose honor it is to take center stage. This season, that moment was bestowed upon senior Sean Bauman, making him the first alumnus from Strongsville High School to take the strut. "My mom has been telling me about this since I was like 2 years old," Bauman told Spectrum News 1, referencing the long-standing Ohio State traditions.
Despite a challenging start, where Bauman had to switch from saxophone to sousaphone and teach himself the new instrument, the effort was palpable. According to a WKYC article, Bauman faced rejection from the band twice prior to claiming his spot. "I got cut from the band three times," Bauman admitted in an interview with Spectrum News 1, adding, "I finally made it my fourth time trying." The Strongsville native's resilience is a sentiment that stretches across his journey, punctuated by his eventual triumph in earning the sought-after role.
This achievement also holds special significance for Bauman’s high school band director, Brian King, who expressed pride in Bauman's perseverance and commitment. "I know that that was his dream, and he went on and he followed that through until he got it, and he didn’t care how many times it took to get it," King said to Spectrum News 1.
Preparation for the iconic moment didn't come without its unique set of challenges. "It was really challenging for me because I didn't know how to play the instrument; it hurt my shoulder whenever I put it on," Bauman noted of the early difficulties he faced with the sousaphone. However, after being told earlier this year that he would get to dot the 'I', Bauman was hit by surprise over the summer when he learned it would be happening at the first game of the season. "Past i dotters have told me that they usually black out when they do that, and then they're like woah, did I just do that? So I'm kind of expecting that a little bit," Bauman shared with WBNS.
Bauman's message to others is simple: never give up, even if initial attempts don't pan out. "There were points in that process where I was like, 'I don't know if I can. It's been how many years and I still haven't made it.' But I was like, 'this next year is going to be my year '..and then I made the band," Bauman encouraged in WKYC’s report. His final march as a college student is much more than just that. It's the culmination of years of practice, persistence, and enthusiasm for one of Ohio State’s most storied traditions.
_-_TBDBITL_entering.jpg){kind=link}