Sagamore native fulfills dream of dotting the ‘i’

by Laura Bednar

Strutting out onto the Ohio Stadium field, Evan Kvach was greeted by 100,000 Buckeyes fans as he took his place, not as a football player, but as the “i” dotter for The Best Damn Band in the Land.

Kvach, a Sagamore Hills native, experienced the once-in-a-lifetime elation of dotting the “i” in “Script Ohio” that The Ohio State University marching band forms during the pregame show at every home football game.

“The anticipation is palpable in the days leading up to it,” he said. “The big moment you’ve been working years for is over in a minute.”

Kvach is a senior sousaphone player who made the band as a freshman after his first tryout, a major accomplishment, as the organization has rigorous standards. It is even more impressive considering Kvach started playing sousaphone after he arrived at college.

He previously played contra, or marching tuba, with the Nordonia High School marching band. A sousaphone is larger and produces a louder sound.

Kvach said his four years with the Nordonia band taught him the fundamentals of marching band and the “band atmosphere,” practicing a roll step (moving the foot from heel to toe as you march) in the parking lot and charting his moves in a routine. Ohio State’s style was different with a much higher chair step.

He credited his high school band director Tom Weaver and teacher Bernie Williams for encouraging him in his musical pursuits. His work paid off when he marched to the “i” on Sept. 19 then doffed his hat and bowed while the band played Robert Planquette’s “Le Régiment de Sambre et Meuse” march. Then Kvach had a further opportunity to shine as he soloed for the crowd, playing the “Buckeye Battle Cry” while the rest of the band sang the lyrics.

“The crowd roars and there are cameras everywhere,” said Kvach, noting that he was running on adrenaline as he enjoyed the culmination of his efforts. A fourth- or fifth-year sousaphone player is chosen to dot the “i” each time the band performs Script Ohio.

According to OSU’s website, Script Ohio was first performed in 1936, when a cornet player dotted the “i.” But in 1937, a sousaphone player took his spot. In 1938, the drum major reached the “i” a few measures early, and the sousaphone player bowed to the crowd to take up a few extra seconds. That action became a tradition for future dotters. On rare occasions, non-band members have been invited to be honorary “i” dotters in recognition of their service to the university.

Being a band member demands a serious time commitment, as the band practices two hours a day and musicians memorize their music on their own time. Musicians must audition annually to keep their spot during a four-day event in August. Students can take summer sessions focused on fundamentals to prepare for auditions.

“You are graded fifty-fifty on music and marching,” Kvach said.

Once accepted, the real work begins. Kvach said the band arrives at football games six hours prior to kickoff to prepare. That means a noon kickoff requires a 6 a.m. call time.

Kvach has worked his way up to squad leader of his row of sousaphone players, which consists of 14 people. He said the squad leader ensures the band’s standards are upheld and maintained. “We set the example,” Kvach said. “We want to be the best version of ourselves.”

Though dotting the “i” is an experience Kvach won’t soon forget, he also recalled performing in the national football championship tournament in 2024, including the Rose Bowl, and ultimately seeing his school win the title.

An electrical engineering major, he will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in May 2027 and expects to earn a master’s degree in December 2027. Kvach said he plans to work in the power transmission industry, specifically on power grids.

As for his career as a brass player, Kvach won’t be following a rigid schedule after graduation. “I will play music recreationally,” he said, adding that he also enjoys playing piano.

Photo caption: Kvach is a four-year member of the Ohio State marching band and plays the sousaphone. Photo submitted.