As an official host venue for Ohio Goes to the Movies (OGTTM), a signature event of America 250-Ohio, The Ritz Theatre is teaming up with Heidelberg to show The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg.
The Ritz’s signature OGTTM event will be on Friday, March 20, at 7 p.m. With this screening, the theatre joins communities in all 88 counties in celebrating Ohio’s impact on film through October 2026.
“I am excited to bring together two of Tiffin’s iconic institutions as we will team up with Heidelberg University in bringing the 1927 silent film The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg to the historic Ritz Theatre,” said Michael Strong, Ritz Theatre Executive Director. “The film first played in Tiffin in the late 1920s and is part of Heidelberg University lore. We can’t wait to bring our community together for this statewide celebration of storytelling, creativity, and Ohio’s film heritage.”
Tickets to watch The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg are free and the community is invited. Theatre-goers on March 20 will have a chance to meet the modern-day Siggy, Heidelberg's mascot, at the screening and hear the cool sounds of Heidelberg’s Jazz Ensemble.
The Heidelberg – Student Prince connection
To establish the link between Heidelberg University and the adoption of their mascot, the Student Prince, it is important to understand the history.
Heidelberg University was established in 1850, as Heidelberg College, in Tiffin, Ohio. It was named by its founders to reflect its strong German heritage and connect it to the historic German city of Heidelberg and its venerable university.
The origin of the Student Prince: There was a play that was first performed in 1901 called Old Heidelberg, which centers on a young prince who leaves his sheltered life to study in Heidelberg, Germany, where he embraces academic life, friendship and romance. Owing to the story’s popularity, it has been reprised in various forms and titles. One of them was a Sigmund Romberg popular 1920s operetta, The Student Prince. Another was a 1927 silent film, The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg.
As this relates to Heidelberg University in Tiffin, in the late 1920s, the alumni director, Edwin R. Butcher, was walking through downtown Tiffin when he noticed a theater billboard promoting The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg. Subsequently, in the next issue of Heidelberg’s alumni magazine, Butcher dubbed the football team the “Student Princes.” Sports writers quickly adopted the nickname, which stuck and eventually replaced the Cardinals as the university’s official moniker.
Over decades and these many iterations, the Student Prince has come to symbolize the romantic charm, academic excellence, and iconic imagery of Germany’s oldest university. Heidelberg University in Tiffin has long maintained close ties with its German namesake, including nearly 70 years of the acclaimed study abroad program, American Junior Year at Heidelberg University, and the Summer Program in Germany.
Today, Heidelberg’s costumed mascot Siggy – named for Sigmund Romberg – is beloved by students and alumni alike and appears at events throughout the year as a symbol of Heidelberg pride.
About Ohio Goes to the Movies
Ohio Goes to the Movies is a collaborative statewide initiative highlighting Ohio’s role in cinema — from films shot in the state to Ohio-born stars, directors, crew, and other Ohio connections. Visitors can explore more at OhioGoestotheMovies.org, including:
• The Ohio Movie Database with 1,500+ Ohio film connections.
• The “Coming 2026” trailer featuring Ohio native Beverly D’Angelo.
• A monthly digital magazine featuring stories, interviews and trivia celebrating Ohio’s cinematic legacy.
• Official OGTTM social media channels on Facebook and Instagram.
About America 250-Ohio
In 2026, the United States will celebrate its Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Each state is planning its own commemoration of the nation’s founding and its citizens’ contributions. Ohio’s celebration will highlight how Ohioans have shaped America’s past, present, and future. Learn more at america250-ohio.org