MARION - Buckeye fan T.J. Schurch didn't need any extra incentive.

Going to every Ohio State University sporting event was something his buddy Andy Haley and he had sworn to do their freshman year, just because they thought it would be cool to do.

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So when they heard that the university was having a contest where the winners would have to do just that, they figured it just made sense to enter. He thought if nothing else he'd get another T-shirt.

University Sportsmanship Council and its Best Fans in the Land Competition.

"I'm just really excited and can't really wait," said T.J. "This is probably the best way to graduate."

Council co-president Robbie Beaulieu said that the council started a contest where students earned points by going to various games. The idea was to improve sportsmanship and to increase student attendance at various OSU athletic events.

T.J. and Haley, of Worthington, will split the prize because they tied, each attending 34 events. T.J. said the only sport that they've missed is men's and women's golf, which they hope to catch in the spring.

"It was just made for these guys because it was what they were already doing," said Jim Schurch, T.J.'s dad.

T.J. said he enjoyed going to the games. He often was thrilled at the reaction they got, such as the coach of the rifle and pistol team asking them if they were lost because no one - including parents - had been attending their matches.

"It was just something different to do than doing homework," said T.J., referring to his studies economics.

The best fan in the land contest was one of three programs initiated by the Sportsmanship Council, which also produced sportsmanship videos and launched a game day ambassador program to greet visiting teams and fans. While the council had promoted good sportsmanship in the 1980s, Beaulieu, who co-chairs the council with Katie Krajny, said a group of students re-organized it in 2006 to address issues of poor sportsmanship.

He said it was partly due to complaints about rowdy Ohio Stadium fans that followed a 2005 game played against Texas University.

"A bunch of students got together and thought something had to be done on the whole sportsmanship issue," Beaulieu said. He said the council also wants to make students proud to be Buckeyes and encourage them to support the university's 800-plus student athletes, not just the football and basketball players.

Beaulieu said such complaints about sportsmanship are not just isolated to Ohio State and suggested other Big 10 universities may be interested in launching similar groups.

T.J. said he is looking forward to the championship game. His parents said they had hoped to send him as a part-Christmas gift and part-graduation gift but were dissuaded by what would have been about a $2,000 price tag.

"It was a dream come true for him," said T.J.'s mom, Teresa Schurch, who said she was excited that he had won the contest. "It was the best gift he could have for Christmas."

The package includes airfare, a three-night hotel stay and admission to the game. They will also get T-shirts.

T.J. is optimistic that he'll be joining other rowdy, excited fans celebrating their victory.

"I think it's going to be pretty ugly because Florida's quarterbacks are not that good," he said. His dad isn't as optimistic, predicting a victory but expecting a close game rather than a blow-out.

"I try to look at it more realistically," said Jim. "He is a die-hard Buckeye."

In the case of a loss, T.J. said he expects it would be a pretty depressing return flight home. That doesn't dampen his enthusiasm.

"All in all it's been a pretty good year," he said.

Reporter Kurt Moore: 740-375-5151 or kdmoore@nncogannett.com

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Originally published January 3, 2007

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