THE VICTORY BELL TRADITION

One of the most exciting services that the Alpha Iota brothers participate in is the ringing of the Victory Bell after all Ohio State Buckeye victories at the Horseshoe.

Our brothers have the privilege to ring the bell for 15 minutes after each home Buckeye victory, and 30 minutes after beating That Team Up North each year. Graduating brothers are also welcomed in to the Bell Tower to ring one last time, during spring commencement each year.

As taken from the text submitted for the 1988-89 football program: 

"Located in the southeast corner of Ohio Stadium is the Bell Tower of Ohio State. Housed within this structure, some 84 feet above the ground, is a two ton-bell donated by the classes of 1943, 1944, and 1954. This bell, known to all as 'The Victory Bell' is rung after every home Buckeye Football victory for 15 minutes. For victorious Michigan games, the Bell may be rung up to 30 minutes."

Alpha Phi Omega has had the privilege and honor of that duty ever since John Holt ('55), Alpha Phi Omega president during Autumn Quarter, 1954, was appointed by the then Athletic Director, Richard C. Larkins. Throughout this relationship, Alpha Phi Omega has auctioned off the rights to ring the Bell to raise funds for various charities.

The Bell has never missed a victory, even when the clapper was stolen by another fraternity before the 1965 Iowa game. In 1968, the Bell's pulley supports broke while being rung. The fraternity members placed the pulley ropes around the riling and continued to ring the Bell.

Fraternity members continue to ring the bell every Saturday in the Shoe to celebrate a Buckeye victory. Outside of football season, members of Alpha Phi Omega have the opportunity to ring the bell at spring commencement to celebrate the graduating seniors. When the time comes for a member to graduate, they have the privilege of signing their name on the bell tower walls, among all members that came before them.