bcat51

DJ Cooper gives a shout-out to his conference foes he's likely to face two or three times per season: (Yahoo Sports interview after the victory over Michigan) Then again, Cooper pointed out this wasn’t the first time a school from Ohio’s division has done this to a major-conference program. “We feel the MAC East is really very strong,” Cooper said. “The West isn’t as strong, but the East has had some pretty good wins this year with Akron beating Mississippi State and Can't beating West Virginia. And this one tonight.” When your program takes your next step, don't forget the guys who toughened you up for the the March Madness Competition. Thanks Akron, if you were on par with the MAC West perhaps Ohio wouldn't be battle tested and ready to lay a claim to the Sweet Sixteen.

You got my hopes jacked way up when you mentioned Bill Veeck and your band. I was thinking you had 110 horn blowin dwarfs. I don't know about the rest of the guys on this board, but I would definitely show up to gawk at that. Sorry you guys found my idea lacking and that I'll have to watch the game with less than 10,000 in your lovely house. On the other hand, here's hoping that the second high seeded catholic university in two years falls to the MAC representative in the first round. Congrats and best wishes.

A little bit of Bill Veeck in any of you Zips? MAC Football struggles with attendance--here's a way to add 5,000 for the game against the Ohio Bobcats on Saturday October 22nd. Pay expenses to have the Ohio University Marching 110 come and perform a full pre-game, half time and post game show. Of course this is somewhat of a slight to your students efforts inviting a visiting band and all, but 5,000 more fannies at your beautiful facility may be worth it. Can't's band came to Ohio two seasons ago and the two bands put on a very enjoyable post game show together; the Akron and Ohio bands can also put together an exciting and entertaining post game show. Now the 110 will not by itself bring in the additional Ohio fans to increase the attendance that much. The greater Cleveland area has a big Ohio Alumni following and more will come to watch their Bobcats if they know the band is there as well. Here's what you do to really boost the numbers, you invite every high school marching band in the area to come and perform with them. These band groupies love watching the 110. In Athens for the first home game every year they have band day. There will be a combination of nearly 1,000 high school and 110 members playing the National Anthem and one song at the half. Let these band kids in free or charge each band kid $5 bucks and the important thing is nearly 50% will have at least one parent that comes to watch it all--and perhaps even grandma and grandpa to see their kids on the field. These kids drink pop and eat refreshments like they are going out of style so get ready to ring the cash register at the concessions. Getting kids to come to a game is also a recruiting bonanza where Akron Admissions can leverage their visit with special information sessions and such. Ohio has invested lots of effort and PR in making the Marching 110 pretty well known as a college marching band and you can leverage their area appeal by getting people to your field to watch them perform. Bobcat Football has stepped out as the regular cellar dweller under Coach Solich and more alums are getting excited about them. However, a 3.5 hour trip to watch them if you are a causal fan isn't going to happen but a short trip to a beautiful venue with special tailgating privileges might get them out for a fun Saturday against conference foe University of Akron. Be creative; think outside the box and boost your attendance.