Jack Nicklaus On Dotting the "I" at halftime of Ohio State's Oct. 28 game with Minnesota

Steve Snapp of OSU sports information said this was the band's idea. What was your reaction when they asked you?

JACK: "The way I understand it, the band selects the person to dot the I. Typically, it is a way for the band to honor their own sousaphone player and/or drum major. It's a way to thank them for their hard work and support through the years. There have been only two non-band members ever selected to dot the I, until the band was kind enough to select me. It was quite an honor."

Your first reaction?

Video: Jack talks about dotting the "i"

JACK: "Oh no."

How much does it mean to be only the third non-band member so honored?

JACK: "I always knew that it was a significant deal and an honor, but until I was actually chosen and in the time since, I have begun to realize just how big an honor it is. Until now, I didn't realize that only two people outside the band had been given this honor--Bob Hope and Woody Hayes. I think this is an honor that resonates more with people who went to Ohio State, who love and are passionate about the university, and who grew up with it as a part of their lives. Most people outside of Ohio wouldn't understand it. But I do. Script Ohio is a big thing. Not just Script Ohio, but done by the best damn band in the land."

"I guess it is symbolic of the respect or the feelings people at Ohio State might have for one of their alumni. It is an extremely nice guest gesture and compliment. And one I am very much looking forward to."

Don't imagine you were there when Bob Hope or Woody did it?

JACK: "Maybe when Woody did it. I somehow recollect Woody doing it, but I don't remember any specifics."

How many family members and friends are going to be there watching?

JACK: "A lot. At last count, it was approaching 30 and that was with a couple weeks left before the game. I think as we near the game, the number will be closer to 35."

Will you have to practice?

JACK: "Apparently, there is a walk-through the night before, but I am unable to get to Columbus in time for that. Instead, I believe we are looking at a possible skull session with the band a couple hours before kickoff. I have been invited to attend one, along with my family. Hopefully, if I walk through it enough in my mind and then I get a crash course prior to the game, I can do my job."

"It's funny, but one of my fraternity brothers, Ned Kirby, sent me an ancient baton--it must have been at least 40 years old--and he wanted me to practice so I wouldn't embarrass any of my old friends and fraternity brothers at Ohio State."

Could you describe your relationship with Woody Hayes? I know he took an interest in your career early on - how often did you communicate with him during his coaching career or after? Was there something he ever said to you that particularly stuck in your mind?

JACK: "I had a wonderful relationship. I saw Woody a lot. He was a close family friend."

Were you known as an Ohio State fan on tour?

JACK: "Of course!"

Were there times when you ever took public pride in Ohio State's football success with your fellow golfers or when you got ribbed when they lost?

JACK: "I think every college kid who eventually makes it on Tour goes through that. I was very proud of my alma mater, as are a lot of golfers. You still see that school pride on Tour."

Any moment you can remember of being at a tournament on a Saturday and really trying to find out the score of Ohio State's game that day?

JACK: "To be honest, most of my golf was played prior to football season, so I didn't have to face that problem as much as you might think."

Were you a football fan growing up, and did you follow the team or attend games while you were attending OSU?

JACK: "From the time I was 6 years old, I missed only one Ohio State home football game, until I was 20. Then it was because I played in the World Amateur Team Championship and for the Eisenhower Trophy at Merion Golf Club. Even then, I got the Ohio State-Southern Cal game on the radio. I walked around the golf course, carrying the radio and listening to the Ohio State-Southern Call game on the radio while I was playing in the tournament. I shot 66-67-68-68 and won the individual title. So I shot 68 that day. If I hadn't been carrying around the radio, maybe I would have shot another 66.

"The only game I missed prior to that was, I believe, 1947, when I was 7 years old. Pandel Savic threw a pass to Jimmy Clark for a touchdown and made the extra point to beat Northwestern, 7-6. They only won two games that year. I think they beat Missouri, 13-7, for the other victory."

When is the last time you attended an Ohio State game at the Horseshoe?

JACK: "This year's Penn State game."

Have you been a particular fan of the band?

JACK: "Of course! You can't help but be a fan of the Best Damn Band in the Land."

Is there any particular player or coach, other than Woody Hayes, that you got to know especially well over the years?

JACK: "Bob Keppler, my golf coach, was terrific. We were very close. There was also Jim Brown. I got to know Bo Schembechler--more after he went to Michigan than when he was at Ohio State as an assistant to Woody. Another Woody assistant was Lou Holtz, who I got to know a little bit. I knew Fred Taylor, the basketball coach, as well as Randy Ayers, when he was the coach there. I knew a lot of football players over the years, but I was probably closest to Pandel Savic. As you might know, Pandel went on to become Memorial Tournament chairman."

How much have you kept up with the current team? Do you know much about coach Jim Tressel and Troy Smith and the rest of the players?

JACK: "I am a very big fan, and I follow the Buckeyes closely. I usually know most, if not all the players. Well, I might not know the line as well this year--probably not as much as last year. And maybe not this year's linebackers as much as last year's. Bottomline, I am a big fan and I follow Ohio State football."