By the time the first fans make their way toward Ohio Stadium on a football Saturday, Facilities Operations and Development (FOD) crews have already been working for hours.
By the early hours of the morning they’re placing recycling cans, distributing bags to tailgaters, clearing litter, servicing overflowing containers and helping visitors navigate campus. By the time the final whistle blows on the field, their workday still isn’t complete.
“The most rewarding part of the job is providing a clean, safe and welcoming environment for fans, faculty, staff and students to come together and support the Buckeyes,” said Mike Mitchell, supervisor of Facilities Operations for FOD.
Some of the most important work happens before fans ever notice it. The Campus Services team installs the large concrete barriers positioned throughout campus and works with Homeland Security and the Ohio State University Police Division (OSUPD) to establish secure zones around Ohio Stadium and other event areas.
“Most people pass through these checkpoints on their way to the game, but few realize the planning, coordination, and setup that goes into creating a safe environment for everyone attending,” said Mitchell.
The crew typically works a 12-hour shift, beginning about four hours before kickoff and staying three to four hours after the game to finish cleanup and restore campus.
Before kickoff, crews place additional red recycling cans throughout parking lots and high-traffic pedestrian areas around St. John Arena, Ohio Stadium, the Woody Hayes Bridge and the Lane Avenue and Olentangy River Road intersection. They also distribute recycling bags to tailgaters across campus to help reduce the amount of litter left behind.
The operation also stretches far beyond the streets surrounding Ohio Stadium. Additional FOD staff clean and maintain parking lots and event areas across campus including the Veterinary and Agricultural campuses, the Olentangy lots, Fawcett Center, Longaberger Alumni House and Carmack lots.
For fans, game day is measured by touchdowns, traditions and the final score. For FOD, success looks like a clean parking lot, a visitor who finds the right gate, a safe path into the stadium and a campus ready to welcome everyone back the very next day.
“Knowing that our work contributes to a positive experience for tens of thousands of visitors makes the long day worthwhile,” said Mitchell.