COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State Buckeyes are hitting the road once again, this time heading to Madison for a matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers. This game marks the conclusion of a series of three away games within a month for the scarlet and gray.
Ken Blair III has been a dedicated fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes since childhood.
“As a young kid, I would mow lawns with a manual push mower and listen to the games on a boombox on my shoulder,” Blair reminisced. “That’s how I developed my passion for the Buckeyes, tuning in every Saturday.”
Blair transformed his childhood enthusiasm into a college experience as a walk-on player for Ohio State during the 1980s. He has since continued his commitment by driving the equipment truck for the football team through his trucking company, Circle Express, which was a tradition started by his father when Blair was still a player.
“Forty-four years later, here we are,” Blair remarked as the equipment truck prepared to depart for Madison on Thursday. This season has been particularly busy.
The truck has covered more than 6,000 miles in just three weeks. Blair understands the significance of his role, as he transports essential gear for the team across the country. “Everything needed for a game is in here, from medical supplies to uniforms,” he explained.
For the trip to Washington in September, the truck departed three days earlier than it usually would for a standard away game. The packed schedule presents challenges for Blair and the equipment staff. “Life is like practice; the more you prepare, the better you become,” he noted. “We take precautions to ensure we arrive on time; it’s all about the team, not us—our role is largely behind the scenes.”
Blair believes that the rigorous road schedule enhances the team’s performance. “At home, there’s a sense of comfort; making them uncomfortable forces them to think,” he said. Coach Ryan Day shares this sentiment, asserting that the sequence of three away games allows the team to bond. “You start to feel independent, and you learn about your identity through these road experiences,” Day added.
As the Buckeyes prepare to face the Badgers on Saturday, Blair will be anxiously anticipating the 500-mile drive back to Columbus, a journey he values deeply. “This experience is very meaningful to me,” he concluded. “We play a small yet essential role in a much larger operation.”
