menu
Logo
99+
Bobcat Attack Menu
Logo
99+
Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Interest in Reviving The O-Zone
Page: 4 of 6
mail
RSBobcat
11/15/2021 10:31 PM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
Spot on suggestions so far. I helped lead the Ozone equivalent in the early 80s. . .


My memory is a little dim on this, but was this group called the "Krazy Kats," or something close that?
Indeed - but without the Ks - Crazy Cats. Started as a project in Sports Ad and then stuck around for a few years. Used to have a keg in a classroom in the Convo after the game with the players and Nee - yea, that's not happening again.

On a side note I like something like Crazy Cats (think Cameron Crazies - damn we were first) rather than O-Zone. O-Zone is a section, Crazy Cats were fans/people. More interest in joining (and recruiting) a group of like fans, than a "section."

Took Nee a few games to get his first win. Few of us cut up basketballs and wore them over our heads until he got the win. Got people's attention. Like Cameron Crazies, dress crazy, act crazy.


Crazy Cats would be a great idea for what I'm trying to go for. I've got almost 10 people interested so far and we have a group chat set up to communicate chants / distribute information etc. We are planning on keeping it simple with some basic chants like "I believe that we will win" and "SUCKS" after each opposing player is announced in the opposing team's starting lineup.
Cellis033 if you come up with a design and order I'll cover the cost of the shirts. You can PM me and we can connect.
Count me in for a contribution. Would love to see this happen and it will add to the home court advantage.
I would also make a contribution - Start a BA members Ozone contribution thread....On the Basketball page - vs Ozone page.....And Sell it with Enthusiasm!
mail
RSBobcat
11/15/2021 10:35 PM
JSF wrote:expand_more
Agree - start a Gofundme page - don't let the administration say they'll fund you $500 - but then have rules and over site. Keep it the students!!!
The university owns the trademark for O Zone, so they're going to have oversight.
Then ask them what are they doing with it?? And Press, then press more. If no solid response then go viral with pressure - Like a Real O Zone member would....
mail
RSBobcat
11/15/2021 10:45 PM
Cellis033 - PM me. I might be able to get some local product (already a proud OHIO athletics sponsor) biz support as well - e.g. free product that students would enjoy, maybe even an O Zone T Shirt tie in - Let's talk!
mail
person
boydhallbobcat
11/16/2021 7:21 AM
cc-cat wrote:expand_more
Agree - start a Gofundme page - don't let the administration say they'll fund you $500 - but then have rules and over site. Keep it the students!!!
The university owns the trademark for O Zone, so they're going to have oversight.
He's not sure they are going to use "O-Zone" - will see

can we all agree they need to get rid of the Black Seats in front of the students? I know it most likely won't happen since the season has started, but come on.
That was the beginning of the end for a rowdy Ozone, but I have a feeling it's something that won't go away. Too many big time donors in those seats. Definitely hinders the students from really getting into the game.
mail
person
bobcatsquared
11/16/2021 7:53 AM
Good or bad, but I've noticed the black seats are more occupied for the first two home games this season compared to 2 to 4 years ago.
Last Edited: 11/16/2021 7:53:56 AM by bobcatsquared
mail
person
boydhallbobcat
11/16/2021 8:54 AM
bobcatsquared wrote:expand_more
Good or bad, but I've noticed the black seats are more occupied for the first two home games this season compared to 2 to 4 years ago.
Absolutely...Coach Boals has brought a program to the court that people want to see. The Convo has been more full in general. Great things happening with Ohio U!
mail
FearLeon
11/16/2021 10:40 AM
6,100 fans for a Monday night game against Bobby Mo. I mean....truly unbelievable. Four years ago, it would have been 2,200. We really have a chance to get crowds dating back to Trent Sophomore/Junior year. Credit to Boals and staff for the product and his willingness to get out in the community and be active on social media. It all resonates with fan enthusiasm.
Last Edited: 11/16/2021 11:07:16 AM by FearLeon
mail
Cellis033
11/16/2021 1:48 PM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
6,100 fans for a Monday night game against Bobby Mo. I mean....truly unbelievable. Four years ago, it would have been 2,200. We really have a chance to get crowds dating back to Trent Sophomore/Junior year. Credit to Boals and staff for the product and his willingness to get out in the community and be active on social media. It all resonates with fan enthusiasm.
I agree with this, and hoping maybe I can get him to collaborate with us and make some social media posts in the near future!
mail
Cellis033
11/16/2021 1:55 PM
I also got some great news - I had an amazing call with the AD this morning and they are very excited on my commitment to bring the O-Zone back - they also have 30 other students like me who are highly interested in helping make the Convo electric during home games and I'll be in the process of reaching out to some of them in the future. I really also want to thank RSBobcat, Antonio Pierce and everyone on this great page for reaching out and offering support, advice, sponsorship and donations. This is looking to be a very promising start and I won't forget this page while I'm helping to run the O-Zone. I'll try to tell some other students about it as well.
mail
person
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
11/16/2021 6:15 PM
I can send some money your way, too. Feel free to DM me.

I'm sure a GoFundMe focused on this board and OU alumni on LinkedIn would also be effective.
Last Edited: 11/16/2021 6:15:54 PM by Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
mail
person
RPKirtland
11/16/2021 6:16 PM
Shit, I know I'd kick in some money.

Godspeed, gang.
mail
shabamon
11/17/2021 5:04 PM
It's truly awesome that you seem to be taking the reigns of this. It's great that your talk with the department went well. It's also great to see many of us here offer their services, advice, and money.

However, I'm of the belief that the support you're receiving is not necessary to have a student section that accomplishes what we all want to accomplish. It doesn't take this level of support for you and any other student that really wants this to work to commit to standing during game action. It doesn't take this level of support to chant "Let's Go Bobcats," "De-fense," "Airball," or any other coordinated chants at least every other possession. It doesn't take this level of support to encourage and invite other students you don't know to join in. What it will take might be a little stepping outside of your comfort zone to commit to truly being a leader when you are actually at the game.

I didn't expect everything to be different during the Robert Morris game, not even close, but I still see a student section that 100% sits.

Don't sit. Don't sit. Don't sit.
Last Edited: 11/17/2021 5:05:05 PM by shabamon
mail
person
GroverBall
11/17/2021 9:02 PM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
It's truly awesome that you seem to be taking the reigns of this. It's great that your talk with the department went well. It's also great to see many of us here offer their services, advice, and money.

However, I'm of the belief that the support you're receiving is not necessary to have a student section that accomplishes what we all want to accomplish. It doesn't take this level of support for you and any other student that really wants this to work to commit to standing during game action. It doesn't take this level of support to chant "Let's Go Bobcats," "De-fense," "Airball," or any other coordinated chants at least every other possession. It doesn't take this level of support to encourage and invite other students you don't know to join in. What it will take might be a little stepping outside of your comfort zone to commit to truly being a leader when you are actually at the game.

I didn't expect everything to be different during the Robert Morris game, not even close, but I still see a student section that 100% sits.

Don't sit. Don't sit. Don't sit.
I saw 99%. Cellis033, were you the solo stander? Band muffed the timing of Losing Team Winning Team, it got totally lost.
mail
shabamon
11/24/2021 5:33 PM
JWBobcat wrote:expand_more
As many others have said already, it was all about the passionate 15-30 people who were the heart of the OZone, the glue that kept everything together and people around them - including the fair weather fans - interested. But we had some damn good turnouts (George Mason Bracketbuster in 2008 was awesome, Ohio-Miami Green Fever in 2009)
I would pay a handsome bounty for a DVD of that George Mason game. That was the most fun I've ever had watching live sports.

That Green Fever game was the one where the big Ukrainian recruit that ended up at Arizona took his official visit. Students were "borrowing" Ukraine flags from Gordy Hall.
mail
Cellis033
11/25/2021 2:43 PM
Sadly I was. I was legit the only one that knew the Winning Team, Losing Team chant. Some kids wanted to join in but didn't know the chant. I know me and the AD were discussing ways to educate others about the chants / pamphlets at games for students etc.
mail
person
Victory
11/25/2021 3:03 PM
You said that you have a group of people that wanted to bring the student section back. Show them those old videos before the game starts and teach them the words beforehand however you can.
mail
Cellis033
11/25/2021 3:49 PM
Victory wrote:expand_more
You said that you have a group of people that wanted to bring the student section back. Show them those old videos before the game starts and teach them the words beforehand however you can.
I plan to educate as much as I can. Would love to discuss bringing back the Mickey Miami chant for the Battle of the Bricks.
mail
person
boydhallbobcat
11/26/2021 3:24 PM
Cellis033 wrote:expand_more
Sadly I was. I was legit the only one that knew the Winning Team, Losing Team chant. Some kids wanted to join in but didn't know the chant. I know me and the AD were discussing ways to educate others about the chants / pamphlets at games for students etc.
It all starts with being on the same page as a group. I think it’s a MUST that you have printouts distributed through the Ozone. Encourage them to be on their feet. Jumping up and down on tip off. Newspapers for the opposing team starting lineups.. make them aware of the more common chants and the winning team/losing team cheer. The band does a great job of passing it down year to year, general students can do this too!
mail
person
OrlandoCat
11/29/2021 3:28 PM
After reading this thread, I'm just curious...

Is 'winning team' not a thing anymore?
mail
JSF
11/29/2021 7:40 PM
Apparently not.

I know there's been a lot of things thrown out, but stuff like dirt sheets, signature cheers, they didn't all happen at once. We have to let stuff build. Just get some people excited and loud. Go from there.
mail
person
Alan Swank
11/29/2021 9:34 PM
JSF wrote:expand_more
Apparently not.

I know there's been a lot of things thrown out, but stuff like dirt sheets, signature cheers, they didn't all happen at once. We have to let stuff build. Just get some people excited and loud. Go from there.

Bingo! You can't make things happen -they need to evolve and more importantly, be original and/or unique.
mail
GraffZ06
11/30/2021 1:19 AM
JSF wrote:expand_more
Apparently not.

I know there's been a lot of things thrown out, but stuff like dirt sheets, signature cheers, they didn't all happen at once. We have to let stuff build. Just get some people excited and loud. Go from there.
+100.

Just be passionate and have fun. Let it be organically contagious. Then let the group get creative and put their own spin on things (it will be more fun that way anyway and you can be a part of starting a new tradition). Sure you can carry over some stuff from the past if the group wants to - but starting with a list of all the things the cool kids used to do back in the day is the wrong way to go about it IMO. Listen to the Dragon.
mail
shabamon
1/10/2022 12:17 PM
I sat third row center in the O Zone section for the Kent game. With no students on campus, that section is general admission for all ages. Some reactions I wanted to share....

The cheerleaders are a non-factor behind the basket. Those of the O Zone heyday remember when the donor seats weren't there and the cheerleaders were along the sideline. It was easy for the students and cheerleaders to work off of each other. Even the generic kid friendly cheerleader stuff is effective towards the atmosphere if enough people do it. Friday, I barely even noticed them. And oh my gosh is it bad optics to have so many empty seats at the Bobcat Black table.

Everyone knows about Norm and what he brings to the atmosphere, but I started a few "Defense" and "Lets Go Bobcats" chants myself. What looked to be students responded. In the final minute, I asked around in the middle sections that if I started scoreboard, would anyone join in. LOTS of "yes definitely" responses. The right moment didn't come, unfortunately. There really looks like enough buy-in down there that if a leader or small group wanted to command that role, lots of others will join. I'm sure Norm will probably be down there, but the O Zone leader should not be a senior citizen.
mail
person
cc-cat
1/10/2022 12:35 PM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
Those of the O Zone heyday remember when the donor seats weren't there .... oh my gosh is it bad optics to have so many empty seats at the Bobcat Black table.
Has there been a worse decision by the athletic department re: student involvement and home court advantage than the creation and continuation of the Black Seats?
mail
Andrew Ruck
1/10/2022 12:43 PM
cc-cat wrote:expand_more
Those of the O Zone heyday remember when the donor seats weren't there .... oh my gosh is it bad optics to have so many empty seats at the Bobcat Black table.
Has there been a worse decision by the athletic department re: student involvement and home court advantage than the creation and continuation of the Black Seats?
I'd be less annoyed with it if the seats were filled. Theyre usually empty even for higher attended games. Who wants to start a petition to eliminate the Bobcat Black seats for next season?
Showing Messages: 76 - 100 of 139
reply
vertical_align_top
vertical_align_center
vertical_align_bottom
add_comment
chevron_backward
chevron_forward
MAC News Links



extra small (< 576px)
small (>= 576px)
medium (>= 768px)
large (>= 992px)
x-large (>= 1200px)
xx-large (>= 1400px)