‘Create more noise’: Inside Ohio State football’s new gameday script and how it’s changed the experience

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork had to walk a fine line when seeking ways to enhance the fan experience at Ohio Stadium .

The Horseshoe is a cathedral in college football, one rooted in tradition centered around Ohio State football — a prestigious program eight months removed from its ninth national title. There are things not meant to be touched, particularly for an athletic director in his second year on the job.

However, while historic, Ohio Stadium isn’t immune to change.

It seats north of 100,000 fans, but its gameday experience isn’t always the most raucous. The crowd gets up for big games and massive moments, but there are lulls not seen at arenas such as Oregon’s.

Bjork wanted to address that, so he introduced “Tradition Evolved” – an initiative