I received this a little while ago. First, I give them kudos for soliciting those responses, which is a big first step. More important though, I give them bigger kudos for taking some action toward the bigger issues they found in their replies and communicating it back to their ticket base. Well done!



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Bobcats Fans,

Thank you for taking time this past spring to respond to our call for feedback regarding your game day experience at our men’s basketball games. We appreciate your input and will use it in an effort to better serve all Bobcats fans.

We received a number of positive comments in regards to the new ConvoVision videoboard, our PA announcer (we love Lou too), the Marching 110 and our team’s connection with the fans. We will do our very best to continue to excel in these areas.

As was the goal of this effort, we did receive some suggestions for improvement. To follow is a list of our intended reactions to those topics that were mentioned most:

We will revert back to reserved seating in the upper level. We have already contacted many of you with our decision and the response has been very positive.

We will work with our concessions partner, AVI, to add items to their selection including an item or two for those seeking healthier alternatives.

We will add a new, more effective hand dryer in each of the restrooms.

We will review and revise our game script to allow for more opportunities for the Marching 110 to perform.

We will invest more budget, time and energy to revive the OZone in order to bolster their impact on the game atmosphere.

We will communicate with you more efficiently and effectively about game schedules, promotions, parking and other news through our new Bobcats Gameday App. Download it today!

We will, most importantly, continue to listen to you. Please continue to share your feedback (both positive and critical) with us on game days, by phone (800-575-2287) or via email (dixsonr@ohio.edu )

‘Excessive’ event security was a point noted by several respondents. Please know that the safety of our fans, staff and students is of the utmost importance to the Athletics Department and to Ohio University as a whole. To that end, the Ohio University Police Department has implemented protocols that are in line with best-practice recommendations of the Department of Homeland Security. These same protocols are implemented across all University events, based largely upon the projected crowd size. While we understand how these measures can impact your game day experience, we will continue to support these and any efforts to create a safe environment for all those in attendance.

With that being said, we gathered from your comments that the inability to access the covered walkway immediately adjacent to the arena is the most inconvenient and unintended consequence of these procedures. Therefore:
We will remove gate designations to allow fans to enter the building through the gate most convenient to them. With this change, general fans can now enter the previously designated student entrance on the northwest side of the Convocation Center. In turn, students will be allowed to enter through the main entrance.

Thank you again for your response and suggestions. For us to reach our lofty goals, we need your continued and enthusiastic support of OUr Bobcats! Coach Boals and his team are ready to take on season one and begin the drive to the top of the MAC. See you at the Convo!
Go Bobcats!


Amy S. Dean
Interim Director of Athletics

Michael Stephens
Sr. Associate Athletic Director

You beat me by four minutes. I actually listed every one of these things in my 5 page letter to Jim. Interesting that this came out 12 days after his departure.

Not surprised the security thing fell on deaf ears. Until Powers is run out of OUPD entering a football or basketball game will always consist of a brief trip through Fallujah

As a second side note, I still think the blocking off of the upper covered walkway is very unnecessary and excessive. I view it as police folks in charge either having a power trip, or being afraid of getting sued.

I’ve only been to Kent recently in terms of other MAC venues, but entering Dix Stadium is nothing like entering Peden. I would assume most others have had similar experiences at other sites. Hell, even Cleveland keeps the roads beside Gund Arena open and doesn’t claim they can’t because someone might set off a bomb. It’s all a load of crap but no one at the university cares enough to intervene.

We're one step away from building a moat with alligators around the Convo.

Honestly, I'd be for that rather than security measures more appropriate for the Gaza Strip.

Through the years, I've always felt that my conversations with Amy and Michael were sincere but slightly "restrained," not because they wanted to be that way but because they had to be. Now that the weight has been lifted from their shoulders I believe the true talents that they both have can be unleashed for the betterment of all fans not just those with deep pockets. I could not agree more with your statement OCF.

In terms of the security presence inside and outside the Convo, there is an opportunity for season ticket holders and students to come together and takethe situation head on. For example, walk the inner concourse en mass. When the lowly "security" person tells your group to stop, respectfully tell them NO and keep walking to your destination.

What is Amy Dean's background? Is she being considered a serious candidate for the AD job?

This survey and response is everything the athletic department has lacked for decades. Very pleased with the efforts.

https://www.ohiobobcats.com/information/directory/bios/de...

I think the department deserves a lot of credit for reaching out to the fan base and actually implementing ideas.

Yes, despite my kvetching about security, I am pleased to see that they are listening and acting.

But they did change the way you can enter, which is a huge boost.

"Therefore:
We will remove gate designations to allow fans to enter the building through the gate most convenient to them. With this change, general fans can now enter the previously designated student entrance on the northwest side of the Convocation Center. In turn, students will be allowed to enter through the main entrance."