Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Bobcat Caravans
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MonroeClassmate
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Posted: 4/19/2014 11:09 AM
Folks on here are mostly rabid Bobcat green kool aide drinkers so I'm preachin to the choir.

The majority of Ohio University Alumni simply don't give a damn about their alma mater--the university graduates over 3500 per year and I'd wager that over the remainder of these former students lives, less than two hundred will ever attend a non Athens based event, even when the event comes to them.  They think of the four years they attended with as much pride as any product of a university but unfortunately that's where it ends--at those four/five years and those memories..

It is not only sports.  My son was in SMO and the Jazz Band.  They went on different road trips that included stops in Cleveland, Canton, Toledo, Dayton, Cincinnati.  Each of these events were known to people but the alumni attendance was vertually nil with most attendees being parishioners, family and friends of the musicians.  I scratch my head to think in Cleveland with free wine and appetizers during a reception  followed by an hour of jazz standards more than 15-20 alumni wouldn't show.

I wonder if O$U has the same problem when they go on the road?





 
Obc2
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Posted: 4/19/2014 1:19 PM
Obc2
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Posted: 4/19/2014 1:25 PM
Only been to Cleveland about 10x but it seems The Winking Lizard is a no brainer for a Bobcat Caravan stop. I always hit it pre or post game for MAC tourney or Tribe games.  

The Boathouse was a surprise choice for Cincinnati I assume it will be early in week on non Reds game day.  I liked the Caravan stop at The Moerlein establishment at the banks. 
But it's very convenient for me, it's on my way home from work! 

Any other Cincy BobcatAttackers going? 

 
SBH
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Posted: 4/19/2014 3:43 PM
On a weeknight I would say any of the establishments at Rockside Road and I-77 would be MUCH better.  A vast majority of your target audience does not work downtown and getting down there can be a pain…plus it costs to park. Rockside Road offers easy access to those who work on east and west sides (via I-480) as well as Akron. That sort of feedback might come through a little market research, but hey...





UpSan Bobcat
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Posted: 4/19/2014 4:03 PM
The last caravan stop in Toledo I remember was at Fifth-Third Field during a Mud Hens game, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it was a game being played on a Thursday at 11 a.m. I wasn't able to go and I'm guessing a lot of others weren't able to either.
OUbobcat9092
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Posted: 4/19/2014 9:19 PM
MonroeClassmate wrote:expand_more
Folks on here are mostly rabid Bobcat green kool aide drinkers so I'm preachin to the choir.

The majority of Ohio University Alumni simply don't give a damn about their alma mater--the university graduates over 3500 per year and I'd wager that over the remainder of these former students lives, less than two hundred will ever attend a non Athens based event, even when the event comes to them.  They think of the four years they attended with as much pride as any product of a university but unfortunately that's where it ends--at those four/five years and those memories..

It is not only sports.  My son was in SMO and the Jazz Band.  They went on different road trips that included stops in Cleveland, Canton, Toledo, Dayton, Cincinnati.  Each of these events were known to people but the alumni attendance was vertually nil with most attendees being parishioners, family and friends of the musicians.  I scratch my head to think in Cleveland with free wine and appetizers during a reception  followed by an hour of jazz standards more than 15-20 alumni wouldn't show.

I wonder if O$U has the same problem when they go on the road?


For the two SMO performances we have had in the DC area, we have had excellent alumni turnout. 

50+ alumni (at a reception) when they were here with the Jazz Band for a performance at the Kennedy Center .
25+ alumni when SMO performed at a Church in N. VA

OUbobcat9092
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Posted: 4/19/2014 9:24 PM
OUbobcat9092 wrote:expand_more
Folks on here are mostly rabid Bobcat green kool aide drinkers so I'm preachin to the choir.

The majority of Ohio University Alumni simply don't give a damn about their alma mater--the university graduates over 3500 per year and I'd wager that over the remainder of these former students lives, less than two hundred will ever attend a non Athens based event, even when the event comes to them.  They think of the four years they attended with as much pride as any product of a university but unfortunately that's where it ends--at those four/five years and those memories..

It is not only sports.  My son was in SMO and the Jazz Band.  They went on different road trips that included stops in Cleveland, Canton, Toledo, Dayton, Cincinnati.  Each of these events were known to people but the alumni attendance was vertually nil with most attendees being parishioners, family and friends of the musicians.  I scratch my head to think in Cleveland with free wine and appetizers during a reception  followed by an hour of jazz standards more than 15-20 alumni wouldn't show.

I wonder if O$U has the same problem when they go on the road?


For the two SMO performances we have had in the DC area, we have had excellent alumni turnout. 

50+ alumni (at a reception) when they were here with the Jazz Band for a performance at the Kennedy Center .
25+ alumni when SMO performed at a Church in N. VA



We have been asking for a Bobcat Caravan stop in the DC area for 5+ years now with no response.  We would draw in one event what Parkersburg, Shade, Lancaster or Toledo could draw (combined).

I'd imagine that Chicago and Charlotte would also both draw 50-100 each as well.

Time to think bigger and wider.
MonroeClassmate
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Posted: 4/19/2014 9:45 PM
OUbobcat9092 wrote:expand_more
Folks on here are mostly rabid Bobcat green kool aide drinkers so I'm preachin to the choir.

The majority of Ohio University Alumni simply don't give a damn about their alma mater--the university graduates over 3500 per year and I'd wager that over the remainder of these former students lives, less than two hundred will ever attend a non Athens based event, even when the event comes to them.  They think of the four years they attended with as much pride as any product of a university but unfortunately that's where it ends--at those four/five years and those memories..

It is not only sports.  My son was in SMO and the Jazz Band.  They went on different road trips that included stops in Cleveland, Canton, Toledo, Dayton, Cincinnati.  Each of these events were known to people but the alumni attendance was vertually nil with most attendees being parishioners, family and friends of the musicians.  I scratch my head to think in Cleveland with free wine and appetizers during a reception  followed by an hour of jazz standards more than 15-20 alumni wouldn't show.

I wonder if O$U has the same problem when they go on the road?


For the two SMO performances we have had in the DC area, we have had excellent alumni turnout. 

50+ alumni (at a reception) when they were here with the Jazz Band for a performance at the Kennedy Center .
25+ alumni when SMO performed at a Church in N. VA



That's great to hear; perhaps as mentioned in another post the DC  coordinator has lots of enthusiasm--here's to keeping it going and spreading.

 
Last Edited: 4/19/2014 9:58:49 PM by MonroeClassmate
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 4/19/2014 11:03 PM
Brian Smith wrote:expand_more
. . .  I'm a moron.


Hey, so are most of us on this board.  We just hide it better!   
OhioStunter
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Posted: 4/20/2014 12:16 AM
OUbobcat9092 wrote:expand_more
We have been asking for a Bobcat Caravan stop in the DC area for 5+ years now with no response.  We would draw in one event what Parkersburg, Shade, Lancaster or Toledo could draw (combined).

I'd imagine that Chicago and Charlotte would also both draw 50-100 each as well.

Time to think bigger and wider.


Especially since Chicago or North Carolina have not had any Bobcat games in the area lately (Northern Illinois aside -- although I can't remember the last time the Bobcats played football in Dekalb).

There was a span where I enjoyed seeing the Bobcats live at U of I, DePaul, Northwestern and Wisconsin. Not so much lately and there is a really strong Bobcat alumni base here.

I would think they'd have a master plan to either have events in key alumni hubs or to schedule games in key markets every few years to build and maintain alumni relationships.
Recovering Journalist
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Posted: 4/20/2014 10:31 AM
SBH wrote:expand_more
On a weeknight I would say any of the establishments at Rockside Road and I-77 would be MUCH better.  A vast majority of your target audience does not work downtown and getting down there can be a pain…plus it costs to park. Rockside Road offers easy access to those who work on east and west sides (via I-480) as well as Akron. That sort of feedback might come through a little market research, but hey...


This could easily derail the thread, but I don't agree with this. Rockside Road is the Richfield Coliseum of venues. Everyone thinks it's perfect because it's supposedly easy to get to, but it's actually accessible only by fighting awful traffic on 480 or 77 and then enduring horrid traffic on Rockside itself. Full disclosure: both my wife and I are walking from our offices to the Cleveland caravan venue. That said, Independence still sucks.

If that doesn't derail the thread, maybe this will: I don't get why people on this board love the Winking Lizard so much. It's a local sports bar chain. So is Harry Buffalo. They have pretty similar mediocre food. The Lizard is fine, but it's not spectacular. Maybe out of towners love it because it's so much better than Zocalo, which is truly godawful in terms of food.
fansince49
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Posted: 4/20/2014 4:48 PM
Yes. 1949.
bornacatfan
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Posted: 4/20/2014 5:28 PM
fansince49 wrote:expand_more
Yes. 1949.


how old were you in 1949? Man you have seen a lot of comin and goin.
MonroeClassmate
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Posted: 4/20/2014 7:16 PM
Recovering Journalist wrote:expand_more
On a weeknight I would say any of the establishments at Rockside Road and I-77 would be MUCH better.  A vast majority of your target audience does not work downtown and getting down there can be a pain…plus it costs to park. Rockside Road offers easy access to those who work on east and west sides (via I-480) as well as Akron. That sort of feedback might come through a little market research, but hey...


This could easily derail the thread, but I don't agree with this. Rockside Road is the Richfield Coliseum of venues. Everyone thinks it's perfect because it's supposedly easy to get to, but it's actually accessible only by fighting awful traffic on 480 or 77 and then enduring horrid traffic on Rockside itself. Full disclosure: both my wife and I are walking from our offices to the Cleveland caravan venue. That said, Independence still sucks.

If that doesn't derail the thread, maybe this will: I don't get why people on this board love the Winking Lizard so much. It's a local sports bar chain. So is Harry Buffalo. They have pretty similar mediocre food. The Lizard is fine, but it's not spectacular. Maybe out of towners love it because it's so much better than Zocalo, which is truly godawful in terms of food.


Mavis Winkles at I-77 and Rockside was the venue 4-5 years ago.  Great Lakes Brewery perhaps a year before.  Both free parking--neither really had a crowd you'd expect to hear Frank and John talk about their teams and recruiting.  Not the spot; some way is need to build enthusiasm.

 
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 4/20/2014 8:03 PM
fansince49 wrote:expand_more
Yes. 1949.

A fan older than I am most likely.  I believe that there are a few others, too.  Nice to see you come out of the woodwork!   I would have been four-years old in 1949 and living in Annapolis, Md.  The first athletic contest I ever attended, with my Dad, was a Navy baseball game in '48 or '49.  I really didn't become interested in college athletics until I was a sophomore in high school.  

 
fansince49
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Posted: 4/20/2014 10:03 PM
I was 10 years old in October 1949.
My father was on the OU faculty.
I saw my first Bobcat football game
that season, a 20-7 loss to Buffalo in
the season finale.  I was enthralled
...and still am.


OhioCatFan
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Posted: 4/20/2014 11:45 PM
Okay . . . my synapsis finally are working . . . yes, fansince49.  We know each other.   We communicated a few years ago about the 1961 miracle finish against KSU in basketball and you sent me a copy of the clippings.  Our fathers were friends.  Hadn't seen a post from you for a long time, and it took me awhile to put screename with real name.  
fansince49
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Posted: 4/21/2014 8:48 AM
You're right on all counts.
Hello again.

OUcats82
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Posted: 4/21/2014 9:59 AM
Obc2 wrote:expand_more
Only been to Cleveland about 10x but it seems The Winking Lizard is a no brainer for a Bobcat Caravan stop. I always hit it pre or post game for MAC tourney or Tribe games.  

The Boathouse was a surprise choice for Cincinnati I assume it will be early in week on non Reds game day.  I liked the Caravan stop at The Moerlein establishment at the banks. 
But it's very convenient for me, it's on my way home from work! 

Any other Cincy BobcatAttackers going? 

 

It's on my "want to go" list, depends how things unfold at the office the week of.  I too liked the Moerlein house but thought the room they had was a tad on the small side.  MIBH  is a solid venue, has its own parking, and should be roomier, depending on which section they have reserved.  Maybe the Caravan team can bring some Bobcat gear to donate to MI to add to their collection of athletic garb and such.  I do not recall seeing any OU items in their vast array of athletic memorabilia but I have never scanned every wall in the place.  

Also like the ideas and suggestions for improving the events and how they can advance the athletic department/university as a whole.  I have always been kind of disappointed/frustrated with the fact that we have a large university that pumps out a high amount of alumni but they usually just go about their lives after graduation and  don't join a  passionate fan base on a large scale like other schools do (and I realize that this is the result of many, many factors). Most of my OU friends that I graduated with have adopted a different, usually BCS level school (or continue to cheer for the larger BCS school they grew up cheering for) that they follow/invest time, money into instead of the cats and I am pretty sure I am not the only one on here who experiences this.  I cheer for several BCS programs, but none before the Bobcats. 

 
Last Edited: 4/21/2014 10:00:14 AM by OUcats82
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Posted: 4/29/2014 10:31 AM
ROLL CALL: Who's headed to the Cleveland caravan stop tonight?
MonroeClassmate
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Posted: 4/30/2014 8:35 AM
Takes from Cleveland:


OHIO gets publicity in Cleveland on TV with Coach Solich getting interviewed at Harry Buffalo while Bruce Drennan in the TV studio asking the questions.

Asst Coach Will Ryan--likes the term Saul Ball.  Take care of the ball.  Push when you can, not many set plays, like to run the O through the post.  Thinks Campbell has lots of potential for the spot. (leads to defense collapse and kick outs to high quality threes.  Did I mention, protect the ball?  On D, not high pressure up the court but pack it in and take away the post/paint.  Coach Ryan told a heart warming story of this final 4 with Wisconsin/family and the downer at losing to KY only to learn he was going to ATHENS!

Learned Coach Phillips has done well at recruiting late--3 visits this weekend in Athens are scheduled.

Coach Solich:  Offense, lots of new people=unknown.  Defense, expected to be the strong unit.  Special Teams, expected to be very good.  Praised the value of the indoor facility.  Was pleased that last season OHIO signed 12 kids over the summer when in years past, they couldn't get 12 HS kids to visit let alone sign.  Is pleased that recruiting Ohio has improved since his early years where lots were from out of state.  Thinks the new QB coach will be able to take the very good runner, good passer Vick and help him with the other aspects of being a good MAC QB.  Mentioned that the three QB's are working hard to improve.

Cash bar, unlimited appetizers, Bobcat items as favors and a raffle where 5-6 people will hear their names called.  Get to the next scheduled Caravan near yOU.

Thank you to all who made the evening enjoyable.



 










 
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Posted: 4/30/2014 9:20 AM
The idea of special teams being one of our strengths scares the hell out of me.


Jeff McKinney
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Posted: 4/30/2014 9:23 AM
Thanks, MonroeClassmate.  Good report. 
Jeff McKinney
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Posted: 4/30/2014 9:32 AM
I like running the offense thru the post!  Music to my ears!
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Posted: 4/30/2014 10:42 AM
MonroeClassmate summed things up nicely. The only things I would add are that I'm continually amazed at how accessible everyone is at these events. I chatted with anyone I wanted to (Schaus, Solich, etc.) for as long as I wanted to. As much as I long for days when the Bobcats are so popular that this is impossible, I relish the access to the top people in the only program I care about.

These events are awesome, and you'd be foolish to miss them.

 
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