There are plenty of upset Ohio State football fans right now and we don't blame them. Nope, not one bit. In case you missed it, athletic director Ross Bjork has been under fire ever since announcing some head-turning changes are coming for Saturdays in Columbus.
Among the main ones being discussed is no question the fact that 'Hang On Sloopy' will no longer be played at the start of the fourth quarter. Wait, what? That's right, instead Ohio State has decided to mix things up with something fans have loved for decades. From our chair, this doesn't make an ounce of sense.
Athletic director ending beloved Ohio State football tradition for no reason
Ohio State fans remain furious that 'Hang On Sloopy' will no longer be played at games
There's no question that Bjork has enjoyed a big year with Ohio State, of course highlighted by the Buckeyes taking down Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff title game in January. Despite that, he's made some questionable calls and his latest decision has people losing their minds on Twitter:
Hey @OSU_AD People are reporting that the band will no longer play Hang On Sloopy between the third and fourth quarters and fans are freaking out. Can you please clarify for everyone exactly when the new Ohio song will be played and when the band will play Hang On Sloopy. Thank…
— The OHIO Podcast🎙️ (@TheOHIOPod) August 5, 2025
Ending the tradition of playing Hang on Sloopy in between the 3rd and 4th quarters at Ohio State is so beyond ridiculous and unacceptable.@RossBjorkAD when are you going to replace Script Ohio with a drone show? Please do us all a favor and leave, and take Slapshot with you.
— Oscar Gamble (@reedistight) August 5, 2025
Ross Bjork reportedly ending “Hang On Sloopy” at #OhioState football games?
— TB (@SenrabG) August 6, 2025
Bro., are you crazy? If this is a trial balloon, shoot it down quickly. Check yourself before you wreck yourself.
@Birm and @AWardSports - listening to your Snap Judgements. As a lifelong Buckeye fan, who grew up going to games in the 60s and 70s, I love “Hang on Sloopy” being played at the end of the 3rd quarter. Why not keep it and add it at other times?
— UCFBuckeye25 (@CathieLCrockett) August 5, 2025
Idc what @RossBjorkAD does, im singing "Hang On Sloopy" at the end of the 3rd. Be careful messing with traditions...
— THE Southern Buckeye 🌰 (@EricOBryant5) August 5, 2025
Traditions are best when they’re organic and cultivated, not focus group tested and white collar approved. Taking out hang on sloopy is stupid for the sake of being stupid.
— Max (@Juicewag) August 5, 2025
WTF.
— Travis Rockhold (@TravisRockhold) August 5, 2025
Why are we not playing hang on sloopy at the end of the 3rd?
This is dumb. https://t.co/k8UIbx3FFs
Per Bjork, instead of the iconic song being played between the third and fourth quarters, it will instead be heard by fans at The Shoe 'whenever the team needs it most.' That leaves things pretty darn vague and now no one will have a clue when it comes on.
Maybe whenever the team needs it most is when things are tight at the end of the third quarter and everyone needs to get excited for the last 15 minutes of action to arrive. As you can see from the social media posts above, people indeed are furious about this - those posts are only a small sample size of angry Ohio State supporters voicing their displeasure.
How noticeable are things going to be for the season-opener at home against Texas? Come Aug. 30, a historic showdown will be on the way between the Buckeyes and Longhorns, as it will mark the first time ever that the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the preseason coaches poll will face off in Week 1. The intrigue for that matchup can't be measured.
The stands are going to be packed and ticket prices are through the roof, which speaks volumes to the excitement for kickoff to get here. That game will provide Bjork his first opportunity to convince the Ohio State faithful that the stadium changes will prove to be beneficial for everyone on hand. As things stand, though, he's facing plenty of backlash for them.