Why do they call Ohio State "The Ohio State"

[hova]

I am new around here...just noticed they call Ohio State, "The Ohio State University". Why is that?

[whitllam]

from Wikipedia:

After an 1878 vote passed in favor of broadening the spectrum of educational offerings, the college permanently changed its name to the now-familiar "The Ohio State University".

link to entire article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio_State_University)

In fact, a lot of universities have the "The" at the beginning of the official school name, but few actually put it to use. I think this got out of hand when football players introducing themselves on Monday Night Football started emphasizing the "The." In addition, I have a friend who once wrote a tuiton check a few years ago and omitted the "The" on the "pay to the order of" line and the check was sent back to him!

[hova]

nice! good reply