Block O was founded in 1938 by OSU head cheerleader Clancy Isaac. After seeing a cheering section at the University of Southern California, Isaac decided that it was something Ohio State needed. The section started off at the 50 yard line and extended to the 20 yard line. Scarlet and gray capes and colored cards were used to create various designs, much like today. By the time World War II had started, the card section was animating script Ohio.
World War II had brought a temporary end to the Block. Soon after the war's resolution attempts to bring Block "O" back as an independent cheering section were started, but failed due to lack of financial support. Then in the early 50s Block "O" found financial backing and was re-organized as a cheering section closely allied with the cheerleaders that would do card stunts. As the card stunts continued the organization became more popular, and became the largest independent student organization on campus.
The section where Block is located has been moved many times over the years. As stated earlier, the Block began at midfield and stretched to the 20 yard line. Then it was moved to section 13A, but half the stadium couldn't see what the section was doing. So it was moved once again to a central location in section 1 and 2A at the closed end of the Shoe. The section remained in the north end of the stadium until the renovation in 2001 when it was moved to the south stands in section 39A. For seven years Block "O" was only in the south stands and annually sold out its 1200 tickets within days of ticket sales opening. In 2008 Block "O" expanded to have both its south section and reclaim its old section in 1 and 2A. Tickets sold out in a record time of 7 hours and now Block "O" has over 2000 ticket holders and around 2500 general members.
Block "O" is known in the college world for its use of capes and colored cards to create stunts or images in the section. Since its inception, Block "O" has added three subsidiary groups to help meet student demand for other Ohio State sporting events. These groups include men's basketball (Buckeye Nuthouse),ice hockey, and volleyball.
