[1] Military training was an important part of the early curriculum at Ohio State, and a band was formed to provide music for the cadets to drill to.

From 1943–1945, director William McBride allowed woodwinds, vocalists, young, old, and even citizens of the campus community to wear the uniform and perform at home football games.

This band performed at concerts, Men's basketball games and some pep rally events across campus.

[4] As the Military Band began performing at Men's and Women's Basketball, various different uniforms were experimented with for these athletic events, including scarlet and gray striped Waldo sweaters, jerseys, and T-shirts.

High school students would be given a tour in small groups by Squad Leaders and other members of the Marching Band.

Beginning in 2011, the athletic department requested that the Men's Basketball Band did not total more than 57 musicians, to maximize the number of seats for spectators.

Other traditional songs performed by the band are the 1960s pop hit "Hang on Sloopy" and the famous "We Don't Give a Damn for the Whole State of Michigan", which was popularized by James Thurber in the Broadway production of The Male Animal.

Several other popular charts include Al Jarreau's "Boogie Down," the Michael Stanley Band's "My Town," Royal Crown Revue's "Hey, Pachuco!"

Other students, including most woodwind players, join Athletic Band because of the atmosphere, schedule, and performance opportunities.

Because of this, some instruments read music that would normally be out of range, such as the E♭ Cornet, which often plays Alto Saxophone parts an octave higher.

The smallest bands typically perform at Women's Basketball and Volleyball Games, so the greatest number of tickets can be available for the numerous fans.

Because of the nature of the program, it is also open to PSEOP students (high school juniors and seniors taking college courses on campus), graduate and doctorate level students, the Office of Continuing Education's Senior Program (persons 60+ years of age who qualify for free non-credit courses at OSU), as well as OSU Faculty and Staff.

Out of the rest of the Athletic Band, those with the highest seniority per section are invited to play for the Women's Basketball tournament, directed by Dr. Chris Hoch.

Extra staff members not holding ladders stand along the sidelines to scan the field for wayward hats, mouthpieces, or tuning slides that may fall off during a performance.

Having been performed at professional football games, a World Series game, and on the deck of the USS Enterprise, the Athletic Dept wanted to bring this longstanding tradition to new audiences, and asked the Band Staff if it would be possible to create a Script Ohio on an ice rink.

The band turns and faces the home and visitor sides of the arena, playing Buckeye Battle Cry.

After a drum roll-off, the band begins playing a shortened version of Le Regiment de Sambre et Meuse.

Every 32 counts, a section of the block band breaks formation and marches into the shape of the letters in the trademark Script Ohio.

In the Marching Band, dotting the i is an honor reserved only to fourth and fifth year members of the Sousaphone section.

The Ice Dot tradition varies on the abilities of the individual Sousaphone player: some Sousaphone players attempt to strut, some do the traditional bow, most play the solo during the sung portion of Buckeye Battle Cry, however, all Ice Dotters are led to the place of honor by the Drum Major.

After the completion of Script on Ice, the band stands in place and performs a short version of Hang On, Sloopy!

As the title of this section suggests, the Athletic Band does not stop at performing Script Ohio at hockey games.

Because of the limitations of the court, not as many students could participate, but it was wildly popular, and has been a tradition performed at both Men's and Women's Basketball games.

In 2012, the Athletic Band performed Script on Ice at the OSU vs. Michigan hockey game held at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

Before the Spring Football Game, the Athletic Band performs a concert of their pre-game and halftime music on the grassy knoll outside of St. John Arena.

The first lacrosse game played at Ohio Stadium to include a pre-game and halftime show was in 2008 when OSU hosted the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Both the pre-game and halftime shows require full music memorization, which is checked by section leaders and directing staff.

Drill charts for the Athletic Band often are extensively modified on-the-fly since performer numbers are not set.

Each year, the Athletic Band is the featured guest of Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio.

The Athletic Band performs the opening ceremonies for the first day of the regular season at the amusement park.