For years, OSU welcomed boys from across the state to serve as volunteer ushers at home games. Each was rewarded with a ticket for that day -- though they happily toiled throughout the game anyway.
Then, in a move cribbed from The Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Guide to Public Relations, the school severed ties with the scouts prior to the home opener, unceremoniously ending an 84-year tradition. Official reason: A record number of OSU students wanted tickets, so 20 Boy Scouts had to go.
"Ohio State is big enough and strong enough that they can stand a little outcry, but they can also stand up and do the right thing," says Ron Green, director of the Boy Scouts of Columbus.
A week later, the outcry did the Bucks in. When it was pointed out that not even terrorists whack child volunteers, Ohio State called a reverse. Starting this weekend, the scouts are welcome again at home games.
"When we talked some more about it, it seemed a little premature to make that decision," says school spokesman Steve Snapp. "We realized we had made a mistake."
In an unrelated move, OSU is also reviewing its longstanding tradition of clubbing rabbits at pep rallies.
