Repping OU on campus? Get OUt!

Miami University has a problem. No, it is not the long lines at Chick-fil-A, the mold in Morris Hall or the equally atrocious behavior from walkers and drivers alike. In fact, the problem is far greater than that: Students are wearing the gear of rival universities on campus.

Any keen-eyed RedHawk can spot the Cutler Green and Cupola White of our dreaded rival, Ohio University (OU), from across the seal. Rufus the Bobcat’s gnashing teeth have a way of sneering at Miami students passing by, almost as if to say, “I shouldn’t be here, but what are you going to do about it?”

The Battle of the Bricks rivalry has been contested for 117 years, and yet a select few Miami students seem to think that history does not matter, and it is acceptable to represent OU on campus.

As a die-hard sports fan, the concept of proudly wearing the brand of a rival through the heart of campus is inconceivable. At many campuses across the country, the act of doing this would spark verbal – if not physical – backlash.

I am not promoting the use of aggressive verbal and physical violence against individuals in Bobcat gear. However, I will condone a dirty look and an uncomfortable interaction.

Every time I see an article of OU clothing, I ask myself, “Why would any self-respecting Miami student choose to represent a university that willingly plays little brother?”

Anyone chronically online in Mid-American Conference (MAC) meme circles on social media is aware of the relentless toxicity directed at Miami from OU. From the constant claims of “unwarranted entitlement” to the asinine notion that Athens is a better, more interesting town than Oxford, spewing recycled slop seems to be the Bobcats’ favorite pastime.

Yes, “redcupohio,” if reusing the same Halloween graphic with an AI image of a bobcat passes for creativity in Athens, I want no part of your wretched town.

Anyone wearing OU merchandise is complicit in a crime against MACtion and, most importantly, slandering the good name of the United States’ finest public ivy by aligning ourselves with such hooliganism. Just remember whose bricks have ivy.

Many students will claim they have a well-founded argument for desecrating Miami’s campus with the green and white. However, each reason is more illogical than the next.

They have a significant other who attends OU – The problem is not that they have a significant other who attends OU, but that they are wearing Bobcat clothing on Miami’s campus. No one with a significant other at the University of Michigan wears their gear at Ohio State University, so why is this acceptable at Miami?

Miami students do not care about sports – This rivalry extends far beyond the athletic field. It should consume the classrooms, buildings, nightlife and pride that exist in Miami, the same way it seems to exist at OU. Why should we, as Miami students, willingly endorse a university that plays the foil to us? If you want to support the Bobcats, be my guest. I hope you find Athens to be a more appealing place to live than I do.

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They have some personal connection to the Bobcats – In other words, one of their parents is a professor, their sibling plays sports there or there is some deep familial connection to Athens. In any case, they chose to attend Miami. If someone decides to attend Miami, embrace the rivalry and have fun with it. Do not become a poster child for half-hearted regret, embracing a life on the fence.

For those of you with OU gear: donate it to Goodwill, a thrift shop or a person you know who attends that school. If you are too sad to get rid of it, leave it in your closet at home – don’t wear it in Oxford.

Rivalries are meant to be fun, high-spirited competitions that add intrigue to the monotony of daily life or the regular season, and every student should embrace them. If someone wants to be a humbug and ignore the fun traditions and good-natured animosity between Miami and OU, that is their prerogative. But as Miami students, we owe it to our predecessors to keep the tradition alive and continue to poke fun at OU.

So, RedHawks: wear the Red and White proudly, keep making Miami the best school in the MAC and, most importantly, keep laughing at OU.

As always OU, Oh No.

meneghcj@miamioh.edu