Ohio State tries to regulate lake jump tradition

University will issue wrist bands for jumpers

11/25/2013

COLUMBUS — Ohio State University officials are trying to get a handle on a tradition that has students plunging into a frigid campus lake on Ohio State-Michigan week.

In previous years, the university has just let it happen. This year, officials are trying to at least regulate it.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that temporary fencing is already up around Mirror Lake and OSU officials announced that only students who are issued special wrist bands will be allowed to take the plunge.

Students must pick up the wrist bands at the Ohio Union before it closes Tuesday. Alumni and other Buckeyes fans will be shut out.

OSU says the move is to protect students, who have expressed their outrage via social media.

The annual Mirror Lake jump began in 1990.