By: Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
They say that with love opposites attract, and you can’t get any more opposite than a Michigan fan and an Ohio State fan. However a local couple has put their differences aside and found happiness with each other.
Bucyrus residents Wendy Everett and Doug Surgener met through mutual friends like many normal couples; however the teams that they cheer for during Saturday Afternoons are polar opposites.
Everett explained that despite rooting for Big 10 rivals peace is usually kept during the big game, “We don’t give each other too hard of a time, but when Ohio State wins pretty good against Michigan then he does rub it in a bit more.”
Surgener explained his love for the Buckeyes began at birth saying, “I grew up here in Ohio, and we are all a little nutty.”
Everett explained how she got her affinity for the Maze and Gold saying, “I grew up, up north and hung out in East Toledo, which is about 20 minutes from Michigan so we went to all the Detroit Tigers games and hung out in the Michigan area a lot so it kind of stuck.”
Saturday will be the 109 meeting between Ohio State and as Legendary OSU coach Woody Hayes put it “the team from up north.” While Michigan holds a 58-44-6 series lead, Ohio State has won the contest seven of the last ten years. OSU would have had an eighth win during that time span however the 2010 victory was vacated due to the infamous “Tattoogate” which led to the dismissal of Ohio State’s then coach Jim Tressel.
Regarding whether Surgener and Everett have a bet riding on the game this year Everett responded, “Yes we do, but it is a little personal.”
Kickoff for the game is at 12:00 PM, and while the game will be at the Big House this year, fans of Ohio State or Michigan can tune into WQEL for the broadcast of the big game.