Eric Boggs
Among all the time-honored Ohio State traditions, few carry the emotional weight or national recognition of Script Ohio. And within that performance, there may be no greater honor than dotting the “I.” For fourth-year sousaphone player Sydney Reeves of Dublin, Ohio, that moment represents not just personal achievement, but the continuation of a powerful family legacy—one filled with love, music, and the enduring spirit of Buckeye pride.
Sydney took the field earlier this season to dot the “I” during the alumni band performance as the Buckeyes faced Grambling State. Her excitement came with with nerves, but also deep emotion. “I’m getting a little nervous—it’s like a nervous-excited,” she said before becoming the next in a short list of musicians to receive one of the greatest honors in marching band. “It means so much to me and my family.” And it’s easy to understand why. Sydney’s mother, Wendy Reeves, dotted the “I” in 1992, and one year later, her father, Chad Reeves, did the same. The two were sousaphone soulmates who met through The Best Damn Band in the Land, later becoming the first married couple in Ohio State history to dot the “I” together.
From the time Sydney was two years old, she dreamed of following in their footsteps. “She wanted a little tuba to keep under her bed,” Wendy recalled. “Her whole life and adolescence were dedicated to this one goal.” Wendy, now a band director in the Dublin district, taught Sydney to play the tuba, while Chad showed her how to march with precision and pride.
Their family’s story, however, is one of both triumph and heartache. In 2021, during Sydney’s freshman year at Ohio State, Chad passed away unexpectedly from an accidental overdose at age 51. “It was heartbreaking,” Sydney said. “You never want to lose a parent at a young age.” But she continued pursuing her dream, inspired by her father’s resilience and love for the band. When she didn’t make it on her first try, Chad helped her practice every day on her high school field, determined to see her succeed.
When Sydney finally earned her spot in The Best Damn Band In The Land ten months after his passing, it was a victory she shared with him in spirit. Earlier this season, as she dotted the “I,” she carried a small token of his legacy with her—a Buckeye on a string that her dad wore when he was in the band. “I wore it all my first year, but it’s old and falling apart,” she said. “So I’ve saved it just for when I dot the ‘I,’ so that I have that with me. It’s a tradition, and I’m really excited to continue the legacy of my family.”
Her mother watched proudly from the stands, knowing her late husband would be doing the same. “He would have loved it so much,” Wendy said. “He was so proud of Sydney. He and Sydney were incredibly close. I just know he’s smiling down on her.”
For the Reeves family, Script Ohio isn’t just a formation—it’s a reflection of love, loss, and legacy. As the band’s music swelled and Sydney bowed at the end of the performance, one can only imagine that somewhere above the roar of Ohio Stadium, a proud father was watching as well.
