The Buckeyeman, Larry Lokai named judge of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association BEST Program Celebrity Showdown on Jan. 24

| January 15, 2025


The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association’s (OCA) Beef Exhibitor Show Total (BEST) youth development program will co-host the annual Celebrity Showdown in conjunction with the Clark County Cattle Battle on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Champion’s Center in Springfield, Ohio. The community service event is a fundraiser benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Central Ohio. and the celebrity judge for 2025 is the Buckeyeman, Larry Lokai.


In 1998, while working as an adjunct professor in the animal sciences department, Lokai became known as the Buckeyeman.  

Lokai’s look of red and gray face paint, a wig, and several buckeye necklaces is very distinct and recognizable, even in a sea of scarlet and gray at the Shoe. Lokai is constantly updating his look to keep up with the ever-growing triumphs of the Buckeye team. He also likes to keep his look original by personalizing it. 

Lokai’s enthusiasm has been recognized nationally, having been awarded the NCAA Fan of Year in 2015 at the “What a Fan Awards. 

OCA BEST exhibitors will have the opportunity to design costumes for their cattle and exhibit them in front of The Buckeyeman while raising money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Central Ohio. A minimum of $100 must be raised by each exhibitor in order to participate.     

Donations can be made online and attributed to a BEST participant’s name through the form on OCA’s website to help them reach their fundraising goal. Incentive prizes will be awarded to the top fundraisers at the BEST program’s awards banquet on May 3, 2025.    

 A live auction for additional fundraising will also be held on Jan. 24, following the Celebrity Showdown. All proceeds will be donated to RMHC.  

To learn more about the Celebrity Showdown and donate to RHMC, visit www.ohiocattle.org