Bill Bean, Urbana’s mayor, issued a certificate of recognition this week that it will be known as the city of Urban and residents will gather at a city sign at Grimes Field at 11 a.m. Thursday for a brief ceremony. Larry Lokai, a retired Urbana city council member and a fan who attends games dressed as Buckeyeman, will conveniently block the “a” in the city’s name for a few photographs and other festivities.
Former Urbana resident Ryan West got the idea after Oregon, Ohio, temporarily changed its name to “Oregon, Ohio Buckeyes on the Bay, City of Duck Hunters.” West posted his idea to Facebook and it quickly got around to Bean and other city officials.
“I didn’t think it was going to be a big deal but it spread pretty quickly,” West said.
West played baseball at Carson-Newman University in Tennessee, but said he grew up rooting for Ohio State.
Bean said he was watching the Cincinnati Bengals lose a playoff game Sunday when he started getting numerous Facebook messages.
“I couldn’t say no so I thought about if for a while and jumped on board,” Bean said.
Lokai, who will also attend the national championship game in Dallas, Texas, said he’s optimistic after attending the Buckeyes’ win over the University of Alabama.
“After watching the Alabama game, I feel like we’re the best team in the country,” Lokai said.
During his press conference on Tuesday in Columbus, Meyer was stunned to hear about Urbana’s declaration to change its name in his honor.
“You’re kidding,” he said. “Wow.”
Staff Writer David Jablonski contributed to this report.
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