With one day remaining, Ohio State’s “Lose the Blue” drive has gathered more than 7,000 pounds of clothing for Goodwill

Buckeye fans turned out in numbers this week to donate gently used blue clothing items for Ohio State’s “Lose the Blue” Goodwill drive, giving more than 7,000 pounds of clothing. The donation bin located in the Ohio State Official Team Shop in the Jerome Schottenstein Center was in a state of constant overflow during the drive.

The drive continues through Friday at at all Buckeye Corner locations, College Traditions and the Barnes & Noble bookstore on North High Street. An additional donation bin will be placed at the Beat Michigan Pep Rally from 5-6:15 p.m. at the site of Old Ohio Field on 18th and High Streets.

Animated "Lose the Blue" Promo

Fans that donated a blue item received a free Ohio State Nike T-shirt, but many Buckeye fans went above and beyond by donating several items during their visit to the Team Shop. Everything from blue and yellow Hawaiian shirts to blue stocking caps, jeans and flannel shirts draped over the side of the donation bins all week.

“The Team Shop had overflowing bins each of the days,” Karen Dertinger, Ohio State manager of trademark and licensing services, said. “The press conference was a huge hit with President Gee kicking off the program with his blue bowtie donation. I want to thank everyone for all their help. We have a couple more pickups to go and already have surpassed our 2007 level of donations.”

The Ohio State Department of Athletics and the Ohio State University Trademark and Licensing Services Department run the “Lose the Blue” clothing drive annually during the week when the Michigan and Ohio State football teams renew their storied rivalry.

In 2007, more than 6,000 pounds of clothing were donated during the “Lose the Blue” drive.