DaytonDailyNews.com

Even though she has taken calls for almost every kind of trinket or keepsake one could imagine in her years as owner of College Traditions, the Ohio State athletic retailer, Kelly Hawes was surprised by a recent request. That doesn't happen often, considering her store stocks about 10,000 kinds of OSU stuff.

"I had someone ask for an actual toilet seat," Dawes said. "We have toilet-seat covers, bathroom rugs, but not the actual toilet seat. That was a new one for me."

These days, it's difficult to find a brand-new idea for Buckeyes goodies, as many have already been tried, from purses to board games to innumerable calendars. But OSU's upcoming appearance in the Bowl Championship Series national title game against LSU gives the retailers elbowing for business a chance to stock shelves with new T-shirts, sweatshirts and title-game-specific material.

That makes the title game as much an opportunity for retailers, online-only humorous T-shirt companies and sporting goods stores as it is a chance for Ohio State to win its second national championship in six seasons.

"This is one business that is directly affected by how those 18-, 19-, 20- and 21-year-old boys play," Dawes said. "It's every single Saturday during the season. Our business is directly affected by the score of each game."

A game of this magnitude, though, increases the stakes exponentially for everyone, especially for those whose business is to create unique or quirky ideas for shirts and products. One such company, SportsFan Treasures, already has a selection on its Web site that includes a purple shirt with the words "Only Girly Men Wear Sweater Vests" and a scarlet shirt with "Beat LSU" on the front and "So at least Les can feel like he's coaching at Michigan!" on the back. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, of course, is known for wearing sweater vests, and Miles, the LSU coach, is still discussed regarding the upcoming coaching vacancy at Michigan.

Ron Kaplan, executive director of the local National Aviation Hall of Fame, used to produce such shirts as part of Kaplan Graphics, a company he founded in 1982 and later sold. He concentrated much of his attention to the Ohio State-Michigan game (one of the favorites from his stock was "In Poland They Tell Michigan Jokes"), which is similar to the championship game in its attention from fans.

"The money is huge," Kaplan said of opportunities for T-shirt makers. "I'm in awe of companies that start printing stuff in the third quarter of the game, but they know they have to get it out quickly."

Original ideas in merchandise, though, are becoming more rare. A quick search of online bargaining Web sites produces ads for everything from pre-ordering BCS championship game programs (with a promise that "I will personally go to New Orleans and pick up these programs and ship it out to you") to helmet purses to a children's book featuring the Ohio State mascot Brutus giving a tour of Ohio.

Such products are carried more extensively elsewhere, but Kyle Precht, Ohio State's director of merchandising services, said the Buckeyes' store inside the Schottenstein Center relies on speed, like other retailers, in acquiring its stock. Especially if OSU takes the championship.

"A company like Nike, which does a lot of things overseas, will contract local screeners to make shirts," Precht said. "The demand isn't that great right now, but it will be if we win."

So what will Precht be doing if Ohio State beats LSU?

"By 6 a.m.," Precht said, "on my way to Zanesville to pick up some hats."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@daytondailynews.com

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A quick online search for Ohio State merchandise, both BCS championship-related or otherwise, quickly discovers almost too many choices if you're buying for a Buckeye fan. A sampling:

OSU-LSU button, with Superdome (game site) in the background, $2.49

OSU Santa hat, with the Ohio State logo on the front, $12.95

OSU helmet purse, $18.50

Scarlet shirt with words "WWWD?" and underneath, "What Would Woody Do?" in honor of former OSU coach Woody Hayes, $4.88

Scarlet T-shirt with simple white letters, "Redemption 01/07/08" summarizing Ohio State fans' feelings after last season's national title game loss to Florida, $10.00

Pre-ordering of special-edition DVD of the championship game between Ohio State and LSU, $24.95

DVD of Ohio State-Michigan game, which the Buckeyes won 14-3 (if you really want to watch that slopfest again), $19.95

2007 Big Ten championship coffee mug, featuring the season's schedule and results, $14.95