As a national champion.

Tressel and the players celebrated Ohio State's national championship with an estimated 52,000 fans, according to the university, inside a blustery Ohio Stadium yesterday. Despite a temperature that hovered around 10 degrees and a wind chill that dropped it to minus 3, fans began arriving as many as five hours early for yesterday's celebration.

''We shouldn't be surprised they showed up,'' Tressel said. ''It's just another reminder of the special place we happen to be a part of.''

Gov. Bob Taft, Ohio State President Karen Holbrook and Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman joined Athletic Director Andy Geiger and Associate Athletic Director Archie Manning to congratulate the players on a perfect 14-0 season and the school's first national title in 34 years.

An ''In Tressel We Trust'' banner stretched across an empty section in C Deck and Coleman declared a portion of Lane Avenue, a street outside the Horseshoe, will be renamed Champions Lane in honor of the 2002 team.

''Today it really sunk in,'' linebacker Cie Grant said. ''Today is the first day it hit a lot of us, what all we've accomplished.''

Ohio State's marching band performed ''Script, Ohio'' following a video highlighting the season and the 11 seniors in attendance -- linebacker Matt Wilhelm and defensive tackle Kenny Peterson were in Mobile, Ala. for yesterday's Senior Bowl -- dotted the Ôi.' Senior strong safety Michael Doss enjoyed every moment, from running laps around the platform when the players were first introduced to imitating the traditional high-step while dotting the I.

''Michael and I talked a few weeks ago about whether he should go to the Senior Bowl or not,'' Tressel said. ''I think he's glad he stayed here.''

After it was over, Doss said he and fellow captain Donnie Nickey have already discussed writing a book on the 2002 season.

''Donnie is the author,'' Doss said.

''And Mike is the co-consultant,'' Nickey said.

Yesterday was the final chapter in a fairy tale season. From the improbable win at Purdue to the win over Michigan and the memorable double-overtime win over Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, it was evident the players -- especially the seniors -- weren't ready to let it all go.

''To be part of this team, to be part of an undefeated season and to be part of the greatest game every played,'' Grant said, ''we'll take away a lot more than we'll lose.''

jlloyd@morningjournal.com