The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry is one of the nation’s most revered athletics competitions. Since 1897 when the teams first met on the pitch, the competitiveness between the schools has only intensified with the years. Here at OSU, we are so passionate about beating that team up north that we have our own week dedicated to celebrating and anticipating the game. Apart from the game itself, the most illustrious activity of the week is the infamous Mirror Lake Jump. This campus-wide event has not only become favored by every buckeye that attends Ohio State, but has also begun to grab the attention of national media.
The tradition was informally started back in 1990 when students decided to jump in the lake after following the marching band through a victory lap around campus immediately after a Buckeye win against the Wolverines. Every year, in continuation of this historic moment, the student body unites and collectively makes the leap into the lake, usually on the Tuesday night before the game. Although this tradition is spirited, intense and memorable, it is important to remember a few key things while making the adrenaline-filled plunge.
1. Wear Appropriate Shoe Gear. Jumping in is fun; there’s no denying that. However, the water in the lake is not the cleanest. When plunging in, the risk of stepping on something sharp is always a risk factor, so be sure to wear shoes (that you are ok with getting dirty or ruined) or tape flip-flops around your feet.
2. Cover and Clean Any Cuts or Wounds. If you have an open sore, cut, or wound anywhere on your body, be sure to cover it before jumping in to prevent it from getting infected from bacteria. If you obtain a cut during or after you jump, be sure to clean it with antibacterial liquids as quickly as possible.
3. Follow Time Restrictions. Each year a time is designated to allow students to jump in (usually beginning around 9:00 AM and ending at Midnight). If you want to be a rebel and jump in at a different time, there is a high possibility of being arrested (due to the fact that it is technically not legal to jump into Mirror Lake) … so this is the one time you especially shouldn’t go “against the grain” and instead should adhere to OSU rules.
4. Don’t Touch the Horses. Horses are adorably large animals that appeal to your softer nature and intuitive personality. Admittedly, seeing a horse makes me want to hop on and ride the animal into the sunset. BUT on Mirror Lake Night, if you ever get the urge to go and pet the horse STOP yourself. The police who are monitoring the event have the authority to arrest you if you do—talk about an awkward conversation with your parents.
5. Bring a Towel. Now, it may not make too much sense to bring personal property to this unofficial school event, but then again neither does jumping in a dirty lake. It is pretty safe to assume the evening will be cold—and if it is anything like the past years, raining/snowing—so besides moving as fast as possible to get back to your place, make sure to cover up with a towel or jacket to prevent sickness.
6. Don’t Ingest the Water. This may seem silly now; however, when you are actually in the lake, there is so much adrenaline and so much going on that it is difficult to remember this. People will be splashing each other and some will be swimming around, so there will be a lot of water flying everywhere—and it is imperative that you do not consume/let the water get in your mouth, because it is dirty and filled with undesirable bacteria.
7. Get In, Wade Around, Get Out. As much as it seems fun to start an impromptu water- ball game in Mirror Lake you still must take the weather and temperature into account. Staying in the freezing lake too long, especially in the colder weather, can cause serious sicknesses such as hypothermia. So focus on getting in the water, soaking up the scene and then getting out.
8. Take A Lukewarm Shower. Immediately after jumping into Mirror Lake and returning to your dorm or house, be sure to shower. Clean and disinfect any cuts, wash out your ears and mouth and remove all dirt and residue on your skin. Remember that since you are coming from a colder climate, it is advisable to start your shower at a lukewarm temperature to prevent your body from going into shock. After you have become accustomed to the water, then you can increase the temperature.
9. HAVE FUN! Mirror Lake only happens once a year, so chant and shout and dance along with your fellow Buckeyes!
Mirror Lake Jump is truly a bonding experience for all buckeyes. There is a unity felt that night that is debatably as equal as or more potent than the bonding that occurs during sporting events. If you are not planning on participating, go anyway to witness this decades-old spectacle. Remember to be safe, have fun and plunge into the abyss!
Sources:
1. Milgrom, Ali. 2009. “Where Did the Mirror Lake Jump Come From,” The Lantern.
2. N/A. 1897. “Varsity Takes A Brace Ohio State University Defeated by a Score of 34-0,” The Michigan Daily