Greetings Buckeyes,

All I can really say is that I hope those of you that were able to come out and join us at O'Brien's and Mug's & Jug'sfor the Fiesta Bowl had a good time despite the tragic ending. In spite of that we can now turn our attention to National Signing Day where we're very poised to have a steller recruiting class and focus on Buckeye Basketball.

Saturday is going to be a bit bitter sweet. We have a couple of eventsplanned for this Saturday at O'Brien's for those that are interested in joining.We're having a farewell party for our fellow Alum and good friend Dave Jenkins who unfortunately for us will be moving to Ohio to be closer to family. Dave has been a great supporter of the club and our Buckeyes and a great friend. I hope that you can come out and share in one last outing with him before heheads back to"The Heart ofIt All". In addition and as an added bonus, Ohio State will be playing Fichiganon the hardwood at 8 pm.We have a fairly solid squad once again this year and the Big Ten in general looks strong. Let's continue to show that Buckeye Pride as we look to continueour winning ways against ThatTeamUp North.

Football season may be over for the time being but lthat doesn't mean the Buckeye party has to stoprolling. I hope to see everyone out Saturday at O'Brien's as we'll be arriving around 7:30.

GO BUCKS!

Matt
Director of Game Watch - Hillsborough

Greetings Buckeye Nation,

I hope that everyone is having an enjoyable and safe holiday season and on behalf of the Ohio State Suncoast Alumni Club I wish you all a Happy New Year. Now it's time to start the new year off right with a Buckeye victory in a place that has shown a great deal of Buckeye love in the past....the Fiesta Bowl. Perhaps it's not where we thought we would be at the beginning of the season but it's still a great BCS Bowl game with high visability and pairing us up against a great opponent in the Texas Longhorns. This will be the rubber match as the lifetime series is tied 1-1 with the Buckeyes winning the last meeting. It's a great opportunity for our Buckeyes to regain some national respect against a team many feel should be playing in the title game as well as our chance to get back to our winning ways in the desert and in bowl games. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 pm on Monday, January 5th.

We will be holding our normal Game Watches at Mug's & Jug's and O'Brien's. The tailgate at O'Brien's will begin at 3:30 and "Hineygate South" will party hard as always until game time. We'll have all of the usual flair with games, music, food and drinks. From there we'll continue the party inside as we we cheeir our Buckeyes on to victory. We'll have our usual food and drink specials with the Alumni Raffle also thown in.

Make sure not to miss a moment of the action. I know it's a Monday night but there is no better place you're going to want to be to get your fix of everything Buckeye. Wear you're colors, show your spirit and let's show everyone in this area that we are proud to be Buckeyes no matter what! Nobody believes we have a shot at winning this game. Make sure to come out and enjoy yourself especially when we prove those doubters wrong.....you just gotta believe!!!!!!!

See everyone on Monday.

GO BUCKS!

Matt
Director of Game Watch - Hillsborough

PS - Don't forget we'll still be going to O'Brien's for select basketball games throughout the remainder of the season and we'll let you know when to come out and continue to enjoy some further Buckeye spirit here in Tampa/St.Pete.

Happy Holidays Buckeyes!

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season. I know it was strange to not spend Saturday with fellow Buckeyes! If you are already missing your Buckeye family there are several opportunities to spend time with us before the new year and the bowl game. This Thursday would normally be our monthly happy hour at Champp's, but we have decided to cancel the happy hour forthis month for two reasons.

First, many of you have expressed interest in supporting fellow Buckeye Michael "flag waiver" Pennington on Thursday. Michael will be running in the Disney Marathon in honor of a baby girl, Bella, struggling with Leukemia. He is having a fund raising event for baby Bella on December 4 from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm at O'Brien's. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society presents JOURNEY OF HOPE at O' Brien's Irish Pub & Grill. $10.00 Suggested Donation for Armband. Point of Contact Michael Pennington at (813) 758-3461. Professional Magic Show by Cesar Domico. Charity Raffle, Food & Drinks.

Secondly, on Thursday, December 11 we will be holding our Annual Holiday Party at Splitsville Channelside from 7pm-10pm. The cost is $20 per person for dues paying members and $30 per person for non-dues payers. The cost includes bowling, shoes, and all you can eat buffet. There will be a cash bar for all drinks. We will continue our tradition of giving toys for the Toys for Tots program in Tampa Bay. Please bring an unwrapped gift to the party so that we will continue to give back to Tampa Bay. There is a record need of toys needed this year.

You must RSVP and send your money to Jennifer Quinn-Taylor by December 8. We need to provide the final number of attendees to Splitsville in advance.  Please email tampabaybuckeyes@gmail.com for more information, including the address to which payment should be sent.

We will continue our monthy happy hourson February 5, 2009as the first Thursday in January is January 1st and the Buckeyes will likely be playing in a Bowl that day.

Go Bucks!

Buckeye Nation,

It's time for "THE GAME"....the best rivalry in all of sports and no matter what kind of season you feel it's been this one means everything. Not to mention we still have a shot at a Big Ten title with a PSU loss but that aside it's MUCK FICHIGAN Week! Our Buckeyes are heading back to Columbus for the final game of the regular season. This week we look to put the Wolverweenies out of their misery as kickoff is scheduled for noon on Saturday.

This week the regular season will wrap-up at our two Game Watch locations; Mug's & Jug's and O'Brien's. Each location has special events happening this week in honor of the M*ch*gan game.

At Mug's & Jug's the TV will be raffled off. Tickets have been sold all season long so make sure to bring all of your previously purchased tickets to the game this week. You MUST be present to win!

In addition to our tailgate we have a true Buckeye-style, college campuspre-party planned at "Hineygate South". For starters KEGS & EGGS (with bacon) will begin at O'Brien's at 7:30 am. If you've paid you're club dues the event is free and for those that haven't joined the club yet it will be a $2 entry fee where all profits assist in the operation and scholarship fund for the Tampa/St. Pete (Suncoast) Ohio State Alumni Club. Besides the keg, eggs and bacon that will be provided once inside, Bloody Marys and Mimosas will be available for purchase. We'll have a few Buckeye videos being played inside to get you even more pumped up if that is even at all possible or needed for this game.

The outside tailgate opens up at 8:30. We'll have corn hole, beer pong and all the other usual food and festivities you've come to enjoy on a weekly basis. We will alsohave a LIVEband for the tailgate which will begin at approximately 10 am.......and this is a band that knows how to play everything Ohio State!!!! It's the usual festivities inside with music, drink specials, a great raffle and we'll also be raffling off the mini Jack "Ohio State" Daniel's statue off at halftime.

This is going to be a fantastic party nobody will want to miss and a big thank you to O'Brien's for being so flexible and helping us continue to provide the best Buckeye experience in Florida. As an added bonus, those that have paid their yearly club dues will be eligible to call ahead for reserved seating. Remember, it's only $20 for a membership and you are not required to be an alumni to join. Wear your colors,  be loud and show your Buckeye Pride as we go for five straight against "That Team from Up North"!

See everyone on Saturday!!!!!

GO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!

The Annudal Holiday Party will be Thursday, December 11 at Splitsville from
7pm-10pm. The cost is $20 per person for dues paying members and $30
per person for non-dues payers. The cost includes bowling, shoes, and
all you can eat buffet. There will be a cash bar for all drinks.

Also we will continue our tradition of giving toys for the Toys for
Tots program in Tampa Bay. Please bring an unwrapped gift to the
party so that we will continue to give back to Tampa Bay. There is a
record need of toys needed this year.

You must RSVP and send your money to Jennifer Quinn-Taylor by December
8. We need to provide the final number of attendees to Splitsville in
advance.

Please email tampabaybuckeyes@gmail.com for more information.