If you've ever attended a two-night stay from a particular band or artist, you know that sometimes, the group or performer doesn't quite reach the full extent of their powers until the second of two nights. You also know that if the artist(s) are from the area or have a background performing there, the energy, almost against logic, builds to a breaking point by the time the second night's show has come and gone.
The Mirror Lake jump's 2013 finale proved to be just that.
Despite requiring students to have to sport wristbands and reports abound that those without were shown the door, by all accounts, the Mirror Lake jump 2013 main event proved to be up to par to many hair-freezingly cold or Bonnaroo-worthy muddy years prior and every bit the unforgettable experience for those that partook.
While Land-Grant Holy Land had staff there in attendance, we thought what better way to catalogue the night that was than by taking a look at the best of the rest – the best from those talking about it on social media or cataloguing their best #BeatMichigan for the world to appreciate.
The night started with food (redeemable via tearable pieces of plastic on the wristbands) and an appearance from football players, a Michigan week level fired up Urban Meyer, and naturally, Mekka Don. The Best Damn Band in the Land even found a way to get in on the action in the snow.
But after the pre-manufactured pep rally came and went, it got time for business to be taken care of.
Despite a bit of a slower start than perhaps normal, around 10 or 11, things really started to pick up:
The area is beginning to get busier as more OSU fans show up to jump. There are multiple OSU & US flags being waved. pic.twitter.com/MSylLbAnok
— The Lantern (@TheLantern) November 27, 2013
Of course what kind of event would it be without a Beat Michigan flag?
"Go Buckeyes Beat Michigan" flag in all its glory #mirrorlake pic.twitter.com/BInWotKxzC
— Ryan Ginn (@RyanGinnBSB) November 27, 2013
By that point, it was game on:
@mirrorlakejump IS IN FULL FORCE!! BEAT *ICHIGAN!!! pic.twitter.com/o9CWxsVtuQ
— *attaritaville (@Mattaritaville) November 27, 2013
And things looked to have gotten really real really fast:
And just because there was plenty going on, doesn't mean you couldn't take a second to stop and appreciate a scenic snowy fall night:
@mirrorlakejump pic.twitter.com/jppOzr9cuG
— Shideh Javan (@shidehjavan) November 27, 2013
The U-S-A chants were a given (and likely continued well throughout the night):
The area continues to get more crowded as OSU fans jump and chant "USA" pic.twitter.com/FjPtuPyHaP
— The Lantern (@TheLantern) November 27, 2013
But man, it had to have been pretty cold. The NSFW language here pretty much confirmed it:
Despite the elements, some of the football players at the pep rally earlier managed to stick around to take in the action:
OSU football players Braxton Miller, Curtis Grant, Doran Grant, Ryan Shazier, Carlos Hyde and Devin Smith are all watching fans jump.
— The Lantern (@TheLantern) November 27, 2013
And though the sheer numbers may not have quite measured up to years past (surely some only jumped yesterday while others sat it out because of perceived university interference and/or the elements), the spirit of previous jumps was unquestionably present:
With that many cell phones in one close area, Facebooking and tweeting were rendered difficult, if not impossible for most, but those that got through proved to capture the Mirror Lake jump spirit pretty well:
Twitter has apparently decided that no, I will not post videos, but it's safe to say it's quite rowdy. #MirrorLake pic.twitter.com/CRWFgYmtWP
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) November 27, 2013
And though the event was set to end at midnight (and there were some social media rumors that the authorities would force the issue if need be), the party didn't stop then:
OSU officials said there is no set time for ending tonight's jump. Meanwhile, it gets close to midnight. pic.twitter.com/zViDAS7jXu
— The Lantern (@TheLantern) November 27, 2013
Even Coach Meyer's daughter Gigi, a volleyball player at Florida Gulf Coast, managed to get in on the fun. But as Buckeye Sports Bulletin's Jeff Svoboda pointed out, how did she get a wristband?!?!:
Craziest thing I've ever done.. Got it all on video! @bri_escoe @smashley_c_ #MirrorLake #Hypothermia #OH
— Gigi Meyer (@GG_40) November 27, 2013
The day after looked like it was going to be a doozy for those tasked with cleanup. Welp.
Mirror Lake clean up crews have their work cut out for them. pic.twitter.com/4znG2PwG2o
— Liz Young (@lizyoungosu) November 27, 2013
At the end of the day, honestly, if you haven't done it, it's hard to compare it. And while it's easy to secondhand dismiss it, there's just something about being united with other students who've all endured frigid conditions for superstition and a common sense of tribalism. And for those that share it, it's pretty special:
Definitely totally packed down here, and awesome. I say it every year, this is a sight you can't explain til you see it. #MirrorLake
— Jeff Svoboda (@JeffSvoboda) November 27, 2013
Go Bucks. Beat Michigan.