Editor’s note: This is one in a series of columns.
Sometime ago, I was asked whether there have ever been any father-daughter Script Ohio formation “i-dotters” in The Ohio State University Marching Band family. Interestingly, I found there have been two in the years since women could try out for the band (1973).
I learned that Lindsay Hostetler, of West Liberty and a West Liberty-Salem High School graduate, will be dotting the “i” this year with the OSU Marching Band. Her years in the band are from 2015 to 2018. She is an outstanding member of the sousaphone section, and a member of the TBDBITL (The Best Damn Band in the Land) Board of Governors (OSUMB Alumni Club).
Greg Hostetler is her proud father. He played sousaphone in the band from 1990 to 1994. Presently, he is the mayor of West Liberty. The first woman to dot the “i” in Script Ohio was Jan Duga. Jan is an outstanding tuba (and sousaphone) performer, who later earned advanced degrees in music. She recently retired as principal tubist in the Air Force Band in Washington, D.C. She was a member of the OSUMB from 1976 to 1979.
Her father is Jules Duga, of Bexley, Ohio. Jules is known as an expert tubist, and has played in symphony orchestras, professional bands and brass ensembles. He was a member of the OSUMB from 1949 to 1953, and dotted the “i” five times. He holds a doctorate in physics and has retired from his position as a scientific researcher for the Battelle Institute in Columbus. He also researches cemeteries in Ohio and has spent time at three of our local cemeteries. He has performed in Urbana and was a featured speaker at Urbana University.
The Ohio State University Marching Band Alumni celebrated their 50th Reunion at the OSU-Tulane game. The two father-daughter “i-dotters” met at the Friday evening rehearsal.
TBDBITL Alumni Club members from the Champaign County area who participated in the 50th Reunion were: Sherry Eck and Daniel Eck of Mechanicsburg; Jany Sabins, a West Liberty-Salem H.S. grad; Wes Clark of Urbana; Greg Hostetler and Lindsay Hostetler, West Liberty.
Although I can no longer march, I was asked to be on the field at the half, as I have attended all the reunions. I’m positive that I was the only one out there holding a cane!
