Special Edition of Rich Text

This Is a Special Edition of Rich Text from Rich Hollingsworth
Vice President for Student Life at The Ohio State University. Rich for all intensive purposes likes to smack a little sense into students every once in a while and who can blame him...
- Evan Winkofsky

My wife and I have two cats, Teshia and Sophie, who spend all their time indoors but who nevertheless take an avid interest in what goes on in our yard. They like to lie next to the patio door and keep an eye on things. Birds and squirrels, blowing leaves, me mowing the lawn - everything that moves interests them.

Rarely does another cat enter their turf, but for the past few weeks, we have been visited regularly by a cat who roams the neighborhood, picking up free food like a first-year student at Welcome Week. I’m not sure if the cat has a home or not, but she’s well-groomed, de-clawed and friendly, and she comes right up to the screened patio door. Sophie, frankly, seems to hate and fear her. She arches her back, puffs up her fur, screeches and hisses, and tries to drive her away with what I can pretty confidently say would be profanity if one could translate it into English. The message is clearly, “You are not welcome.”

Teshia, on the other hand, is OK with the visitor. She is slightly wary, but rubs noses with the other cat through the screen and actually seems to enjoy her company. While I wouldn’t go so far as to say they are friends, they seem to have a level of mutual tolerance and civility, and both end up happier than Sophie.

Watching this little drama the other evening, it occurred to me that it’s not unlike the sportsmanship issue here at Ohio State. When a rival comes onto your turf, you can scream and yell obscenities, or you can be a cool cat. Neither changes the outcome of the game, but one disturbs everyone around you and leaves you looking foolish. Next weekend, as the Penn State Nittany Lions (a cat of sorts) enter our turf, I’m hoping you’ll be more like Teshia. No need to rub noses with any Penn State fans, but keep your fur unruffled and resist the urge to caterwaul!

Yes, sometimes Ohio State fans are not treated well at away games, but let’s not stoop to the same level. Instead, welcome visitors to our city and our campus, and save your energy and vocal cords for cheering for the Buckeyes. See the Ohio State Sportsmanship Council site for more information about the Best Fans in the Land initiative, now in its third successful season.

Many of you are planning parties before, during and/or after the game. I hope you have a great time - sincerely. Just remember that you are responsible for keeping your events safe and legal, and the penalties for letting them get out of control are serious. Limit the size of your party (If everyone won’t fit in your house and porch, it’s too big), know your guests, and moderate the (legal-only) use of alcohol. More info here.

I won’t try to strain this cat metaphor any further, but let me just end on this note: I have a good feline about this weekend!

Go Bucks!