As of 2018 (the most recent numbers available) the University had an endowment of $568,000,000. I can't see making donations knowing this. The Convocation Center holds over 13,000. It is ridiculous that spectators cannot be accommodated for basketball. This is my view only. I know others will have their own opinions.

As I said that is my view. I know others will have their own opinions. I would be glad to pay an increased ticket price to attend the games. There is absolutely no reason an accommodation cannot be made for spectators.

The university has taken a very conservative approach to opening facilities due to Covid. The golf course was closed until August 10th. Still trying to figure that one out.

It's just my opinion that 1,500 people @ $20 per ticket could be spread out across a 13,000 seat arena in a safe manner generating revenue of $30,000. But if it's a MAC mandate then so be it.

Actually, the golf course was being maintained all summer long and to my knowledge, was the only golf course within a hundred miles that was closed. When they did open, the safety protocols were such that they could have been used all spring and summer. At $20 for nine holes in a cart for students and $24 for everyone else (that's $80 and $96 per foursome), it doesn't take too many people playing to cover the cost of two people taking money and cleaning carts for 12 hours a day.

I just purchased the $100 package.

Let's see if the athletics department does much to promote this, because it was announced two days ago and this is the first I'm learning about it. I got no email and there wasn't a splash page on ohiobobcats.com . There are posts on their Facebook and Twitter that are not pinned. I would have missed this entirely if I hadn't read it here.

Good to know. I have not, though my email address was populated to my account at checkout.

Very good points but what confuses the matter is that many high schools are 100% remote but at 3:00 gyms open for practice and at 7:00 a limited number of fans are let into said gyms to watch games being played.

At the college level, many if not most classes are remote yet practices still take place and teams and their supporting party travel all over the country to play games. The mixed messages are there loud and clear.

HS wrestling is permitted but the competitors are not allowed to shake hands afterwards. Who comes up with this stuff?

I very much recognize the need for grocery stores to operate. What is the need for athletics to go on with COVID cases and deaths so high? An athletic contest breaks every masking and social distancing guideline. If the competitors can participate outside the guidelines certainly a limited amount of spectators observing masking and distancing should be possible correct?

I purchased the $500 category. My thought was I was planning an additional Bobcat Club donation this year anyway when I would be purchasing my season basketball tickets, in order to get to the membership level I have had for years. Considering they are essentially "waiving" the annual donation requirements this year, for members to maintain their membership level benefits until next year (season ticket seat locations, etc.), I felt like this was a way to continue my support level through this tough year for the department, staff, coaches, and team.

Also - I purchased a couple of the OHIO IMPACT T-Shirts (for me and family) to support that initiative. They are Very Cool!

Additionally - I purchased the Ohio Bobcats Holiday Pack. Was surprised that the included "mystery item" was a Jeff Boals signed Convo 50th Anniversary commemorative mini basketball - Nice!

I think all of the student-athletes and coaches are being tested regularly. I also think the MAC set the policy for fans in attendance. From what I have heard, they are allowing some people to attend. Right now, only guests of student-athletes, coaches and visiting teams are permitted. I heard there are some MAC schools not allowing any fans (including families of student-athletes). Also, I think the state of Ohio has an existing order in place limiting indoor events to 300 spectators. I remember getting some emails that talked about it and I also called the ticket office to ask about getting tickets to a game and was told there was no general public attendance as of right now. To my knowledge, high schools are adhering to that same order for all their indoor sports. Also, I am sure the university makes the final decision regardless of the state and local recommendations. Walmart, Kroger, etc. are essential businesses where people need to go to get food and supplies. An athletic event (high school, college or pro) is not an essential business need for the general public. Since they can't sell real tickets I guess the virtual ticket idea was the best way to get us all excited. Sounds like a good way to ask fans to help out while rewarding them with some cool benefits that don't really affect the budget. Endowments are great, but untouchable in most cases, and from what I have read, budgets have been slashed considerably, so every little bit counts. I commend the Athletics staff for being proactive and innovative. Now let's sellout the Convo, virtually of course!

Long time listener (reader), first time caller.