At half-time in the college gridiron clash between his alma mater Ohio State University and Minnesota, he was tasked with dotting the i when the marching band unfurled itself into the script form of Ohio State.

That may not sound like a very big deal to most people.

Here's how Nicklaus himself regarded the cameo during which he doffed his cap and grinned that famous grin in a stadium full of 105,000 screaming students and adoring alumni.

"I'm always a pretty emotional guy, and Ohio State has meant so much in my life, " said the owner of golf 's most illustrious CV. "It's great to be part of this.

This is an honour that resonates more with people who went to Ohio State, who love and are passionate about the university, and who grew up with it as a part of their lives. Most people outside of Ohio wouldn't understand it. But I do.

It's pretty neat. Script Ohio is a big thing. From the time I was six years old, I missed only one Ohio State home football game until I was 20. This is a pretty emotional day."

His own burgeoning career may have interfered with his ability to watch other sports in person at that particular juncture but Nicklaus remained a devoted fan through the decades. Like so many of his fellow American college graduates, Saturday afternoons in autumn are reserved for cheering on his old school in the NCAA championships. A sporting passion with an intensity probably most akin to intercounty hurling and football in Ireland, the bands play a huge part in the elaborate pageantry surrounding every college fixture.

On every campus, there are all manner of different rituals and customs, some of which are almost as keenly anticipated each week as the contests themselves. Daft as it may seem to outsiders, Script Ohio is regularly cited as one of the most revered traditions in the history of the sport. While playing a French march called 'Le Regiment de Sambre et Meuse', the musicians . . . who modestly describe themselves as members of 'The Best Damn Band in the Land' . . . unfurl into the words Ohio State until it remains only for the ceremonial dotting of the i.

"Dotting the i is the ultimate moment in the Script Ohio, and for the lucky few that get to occupy that position it is a defining experience, " goes the rather breathless explanation on Buckeyeplanet. com, a rabid Ohio State fan website. "The i-dotter is always a veteran sousaphone player. Sousaphone players actually come to Ohio State and try out for the band in the hope of one day becoming an i-dotter. Additionally, dotting the i is the highest honour that the band can bestow on friends of the band."

In the past 70 years only four nonband members have been given that privilege. Three of those were legendary college figures and the other was Bob Hope. Although he left college without graduating so he could turn professional and earn money, Nicklaus sited his own museum on the Columbus campus and the university has previously recognised his immense contribution with an honourary degree.

When he received word of this latest distinction, he began receiving advice from old pals on how to prepare for his moment in the spotlight.

"One of my fraternity brothers, Ned Kirby, sent me an ancient baton . . . it must have been at least 40 years old . . . and he wanted me to practise so I wouldn't embarrass any of my old friends and fraternity brothers, " said Nicklaus.

Somebody else suggested he wave a putter instead of a baton at the vital moment but he dismissed the idea as "too corny". That he was taking it seriously enough to give it some forethought can also be gleaned by the fact he brought 36 family and friends, including 10 grandchildren, to the game. Before he even took the field, Barbara Nicklaus revealed her main worry was her husband might tear up uncontrollably during his walk-on part.

Apparently, he's been known to get over-wrought any time he hears the 193piece band play the school's 104-year old fight song, 'Carmen, Ohio'. He's won everything there is to win, seriously affected the direction of a sport yet he still gets a lump in his throat when he hears them strike it up. Of course, he didn't rewrite the record books by being forever dewy-eyed and sentimental.

The other side of him was on view too last weekend. Even before walloping unrated Minnesota 44-0, undefeated Ohio State was ranked number one in the country and is hotly favoured to win the national title this year. To do that, they need to remain unbeaten over the next few weeks before facing the number two side in the BCS Championship Bowl in Arizona on 8 January.

With most fans merely counting the days until that showdown, the gnarled competitor of old sounded a cautionary note at a pep rally.

"We've tentatively made reservations in Arizona, " said Nicklaus. "But let's get through the next four weeks. Let's don't count our chickens before they're hatched.'' Sounding exactly like a man who knows a little about having to cross the t and dot the i before collecting the trophy.