Eric Boggs
Ohio State fans proved once again that there’s nothing quite like Buckeye pride as nearly 2,000 students, alumni, and supporters filled the Tom W. Davis Gym to celebrate Brutus Buckeye’s 60th birthday in record-setting fashion. The crowd, decked out in Brutus-themed party hats, shattered the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people wearing conical party hats, surpassing the previous mark of 1,161 set in the United Kingdom in 2019. Under the direction of Guinness Adjudicator Chloe McCarthy and Ohio State’s Associate Dean of Students Matt Couch, participants wore their hats for a full minute, officially setting the new record with an astounding total of 1,924 participants.
Sponsored by The Jeffrey Schottenstein, Nina and Ryan Day, and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, the event showcased how Ohio State’s culture of care extends far beyond the football field. Dr. K. Luan Phan, the Jeffrey Schottenstein Endowed Chair of Psychiatry and Resilience, reminded attendees that compassion and empathy are what make the Buckeye family whole.
The evening also offered time to reflect on Brutus Buckeye’s remarkable journey. Since his debut in 1965, Brutus has evolved from a papier-mâché experiment into one of the most recognizable mascots in college athletics. Co-created by Sally Lanyon and Ray Bourhis, the original design—a simple round head made of chicken wire and brown paint—was unveiled without warning at halftime of Ohio State’s Homecoming game against Minnesota. Despite initial skepticism and some thrown Coke bottles from annoyed fans, Brutus quickly became a beloved figure.
Over the decades, many students have brought Brutus to life, each leaving their mark on his legacy. Mike Caporal and Dave Hocevar helped refine Brutus’s early look in the late 1960s, learning to manipulate the mascot’s expressions with wooden dowels inside a heavy fiberglass head. The first female Brutus, Sandy Foreman, took on the role in 1977 and shouldered an 80-pound costume to ensure she didn’t let history—or the Buckeye spirit—down. In 1973, Keith Burkes made history as the first African American Brutus, facing obstacles both logistical and cultural while helping to expand the mascot’s role at events across Ohio and beyond.
Through triumphs, travel mishaps, and even kidnappings of the Brutus costume itself, the mascot’s story is woven deeply into the university’s identity. From representing Ohio State at the Rose Bowl to thrilling fans at hockey games, Brutus has become far more than a sideline entertainer. He’s a symbol of joy, resilience, and pride that unites Buckeyes across generations.
Former Brutus Emily Moore, who donned the iconic head from 2001 to 2003—including during Ohio State’s 2002 national championship run—said it best: being Brutus requires stamina, heart, and an unshakable love for the Scarlet and Gray.
Sixty years later, Brutus remains more than a mascot—he’s a living embodiment of Ohio State’s spirit. And on his milestone birthday, surrounded by thousands of adoring fans and a world record to boot, it’s clear that Brutus Buckeye’s legacy is as strong, joyful, and iconic as ever.
