The Portland Alumni group has secured a group of seats behind the Bobcats bench for the game.  Right now we have 35 people who will be attending.  We are also going to have a pre-game gathering at a local brew pub.

If anyone happens to be popping out to Portland for the game, we have until Friday, November 11 to reserve more seats.  They are $15.  Please send me a PM if you would like to join us.

The Chiles Center is a really nice place to watch basketball and I am very excited to see The Bobcats this year.

Why couldn't we have this game scheduled for around this date next season?  I'll actually be in Portland for our (work) convention then.  Booooooooo...

We will have about 50 Portland-area alumni in attendance.  I hope that the Cats continue their current level of play for this one.

My daughters (both born in Athens) are very excited for this game.  They are bombarded with Duck and Beaver hype on a daily basis and have chosen their respective teams.  However, I overheard this last night.

Six-year old -  “Well, I do like the Ducks but I would NEVER cheer for them over the Bobcats.”
Nine-year old – “Of course,  Keira… we were born Bobcats.”

Most importantly, they are both quick to correct anyone who assumes them to be Buckeyes…

 A safe and happy holiday season to all.

Go Bobcats.

The Oregonian gives the Pilots a bit of coverage - http://www.oregonlive.com/pilots/.  UP had been trying to capitalize on the NBA lockout.  LaMarcus Aldridge organized the ‘Rip City Basketball Classic’ at the Chiles Center in early November (with some pretty big NBA names).  The game was a sellout and they gave all attendees a free ticket to the next Pilot home game.

Anyone know where the pre-game event is taking place?

The play by play commentator mentioned "cheering sounds" when the Cats were making the run and wondered aloud how there could be "Ohio U" fans in the stands.

All of the alumni had a great time last night. We should have paid to bring an active Ozoner west to lead some cheers. We were a little disjointed. The coaches and team gave us nice waves and shouts as they left the court (many looks of "what in the heck are you all doing here")

D.J. Pretty much had his way with the UP defense... He is smooth. My 9 year old thinks he is the best player she's ever seen (she watched a lot of B. Hunter at 2 so this may be debatable).

My seats were next to several Pilot fans. They had many questions/comments, including:
-how it felt to be considered "the cradle of coaches" (I politely corrected that)
-They were shocked that we represented so well and they didn't remember ever having a non-rival with so many fans (Gonzaga is the game to see, I guess)
-Gary Trent and "ah, that's right"
-"Wow, I am going to keep my eyes on these guys for a couple of years"
-"Where is Athens?"

The Chiles Center is a tiny version of the Convo, it only made me wistful for home. It is nice to have so many Bobcats around.

Cheers,
J.B.