It’s on.
The Ohio State Buckeyes wrestling is releasing a new tradition. Dubbed a “Black Shirt,” the team is adopting the philosophy of the black stripe tradition that the college’s football team does for freshman.
It’s backward though.
Freshman or transfers on the Buckeyes’ world-renown football team want to lose their black stripe. For the men’s wrestling, you want to gain your ability to wear a distinct black shirt.
All others will be wearing gray, a release from the university detailed.
This is a move to hold players more accountable. They need to showcase that they’re worthy of being one of a just handful of black shirts. Excellence both on the mats and off them will be what it takes to be given a black shirt.
This is a good move for the wrestling program that’s looking to promote top-level leadership throughout their team.
The Buckeyes program has won two-straight Big Ten titles and three of the past four. They’re one of the best programs for wrestling and will be taking their on-campus leadership to an even higher level.
