Ohio State football fans have long cherished the annual spring game, a rite of passage that gives fans a taste of Buckeye football in a long offseason. But in recent years, the traditional full-contact game has given way to a more controlled scrimmage, leaving some fans—like me—grumbling about the lack of hard-hitting action.
I’ll admit, I’d rather see the likes of Sonny Styles hitting the gap to meet James Peoples in a bone-rattling collision than watch a no-contact practice. Yet, despite my preference for the old-school format, the Spring Game's true value lies not in the plays on the field, but in the memories made off it. With the 2025 season ushering in a “Spring Showcase” on April 12 instead of a traditional game, Ohio State has a golden opportunity to lean into this truth and create an unforgettable experience for fans.
The Buckeyes’ shift away from a full spring game isn’t new. For years, the event has morphed into a lighter scrimmage, a change driven by player safety and the evolving demands of a grueling college football calendar. This year, following a 16-game national championship run that ended on January 20, Ryan Day has hinted at giving the players more rest.
Fans saw how important it is to manage player workloads during the season, and most can see how important that would be outside the season, too. Spring practice kicks off March 17—later than usual due to the late finish and spring break—and will culminate in this reimagined Spring Showcase at Ohio Stadium. While details remain sparse, it is clear Ohio State needs to make this an event for the fans.
For me, the spring game has always been less about the X’s and O’s and more about the people I share it with. Take 2024, for instance: it was the first time I brought my son and daughter to Ohio Stadium for the spring event.
Sure, I marveled at Emeka Egbuka’s one-handed snag, but what stuck with me was my daughter throwing her arms up to form the “H” during the O-H-I-O chants echoing through the stands. I’ll never forget my nephew enjoying a hot dog and sporting the Ohio State logo painted on his cheek or the wide-eyed wonder on my kids’ faces as they soaked in the historic venue. Those moments—of family, tradition, and fandom—outshine any highlight reel.
Ohio State must seize this chance to make the Spring Showcase a celebration of its fans. A Fan Fest seems nice—but it won't be enough on its own. The university should go further. Picture interactive zones where kids can toss a football with former players, or photo ops with Brutus Buckeye against the stadium’s iconic backdrop.
Offer stadium tours for families with little ones too young for the chaos of a fall gameday, giving them their first taste of Buckeye magic in a relaxed setting. Create a space for college buddies to reunite, maybe with a tailgate-style lounge, and honor traditions like the father-son duo who’ve made the spring event their annual pilgrimage.
This isn’t just about optics—it’s about who these events are for. The walk-on’s parents, beaming as their kid dons scarlet and gray in front of a crowd, deserve that moment. The family introducing their children to fandom, the friends rekindling old bonds, the lifelong Buckeyes passing down their passion—all of them matter more than the play calls.
Ohio State doesn’t need to replicate a fall game; it needs to craft an experience that sends fans home with stories of connection, not just stats. If they get this right, April 12 could become a new tradition—one that’s less about tackling and more about togetherness. For me, that’s worth more than any hit I’d see on the field.