This story begins more than half a century ago. I entered Ohio State University in Fall 1968 and attended 12 straight quarters to finish my B.A. in English after the summer quarter of 1971. In August of that year, I moved to Kinston.

During the time I attended Ohio State, the Buckeyes were a football powerhouse. The 1968 team became famous for its “Super Sophomores,” regarded as one of the best recruiting classes in college football history. Twelve sophomores started for Ohio State in 1968, and those players would go 27-2 from 1968 to 1970 – the three years I was a student there. The 1968 season was the start of a 10-year run for the Buckeyes, who would win or share nine conference titles from 1968 to 1977.

In all the time I was a student, I never attended a single game at Ohio Stadium, known as the Horseshoe or the Shoe. At that time, Buckeye games drew more than 87,000 fans. I heard someone say to a friend that in Ohio, football is a religion. His friend retorted: “Naw. It;s way more important than that.”

The reason I never attended an OSU game at the Shoe is simple. My dad suffered from emphysema and asbestosis. He was unable to leave the house, fight the crowds, and navigate the long walk necessary to enter the stadium. I had to choose whether to watch with my dad or go to the game solo.

In those days, the university television station, W-OSU, broadcast every Ohio State game. If I stayed home with Dad, I could watch the game with him. I opted to stay home and watch with Dad.

Michael, my son, had heard me tell that story several times. I never understood how badly he felt that I never got to see a game at the Shoe. He knew I loved to go to football games. After all, for 25 years, I went to nearly every East Carolina home football game. Michael was usually in the stands with me.

Then Michael called me. One of his friends said that she had seen tickets to the Ohio State-Indiana game for sale. The people who owned the tickets could not attend that game, so they put their tickets up for sale. He proposed that we make a trip – just the two of us – to Ohio to watch the Buckeyes play in Ohio Stadium. I was flabbergasted.

“I would love to go.” With that said, the deal was done.

We left on Friday, November 22, and traveled to my mother’s home just outside of Columbus. We left the house early Saturday to make sure we could find decent parking and be in our seats when the noon kickoff came.

When we arrived at the handicapped parking area, we parked in a garage, took a shuttle to Gate 22 of the Stadium, and waited for 10 a.m. to arrive so we could enter. As Michael and I waited, one of the people at the stadium tasked with lending aid to the handicapped asked if I needed a wheelchair. Since I had no idea how long the walk would be from Gate 22 to our seats in 30AA, I gratefully accepted the offer.

Michael told some of the ushers that this game was my first at the Shoe. One told him if we went to the Gate 14 concessions, the workers there would print me a “First Game at Ohio Stadium” certificate. Michael made several trips to the concession stands, and after one concession trip, he returned with two certificates: one for me – and one for him.

Ohio State defeated Indiana in the game. I enjoyed watching the Buckeye defense dismantle the Indiana offense. Our seats were next to the student section and at the end of the stadium where the Buckeyes entered the field.

I also had the chance to see “Script Ohio” performed live – and I was able to sing “Carmen Ohio” – the Ohio State alma mater – with the OSU students and football team.

Thanks to my son, I can no longer say I have never seen a game in Ohio Stadium. I hadn’t even dared to put that on my “Bucket List,” but Michael made it happen.

Thank you, son.

Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.