I received this press release today. Not bad, I don't think, considering how much some bowls cost some schools.

Ohio University is one of only 17 programs in the country to have earned back-to-back bowl championships.  Ohio is also one of only 28 programs nationwide to have participated in four consecutive bowl games.

·         A bowl trip will generate millions of dollars in exposure for Ohio University through the three-hour nationally televised game on ESPN (available to 95 million homes) and weeks of additional exposure through ESPN bowl specials, other national TV exposure of the bowls, newspapers throughout the country, etc.  Ohio University aired its “Voices of Promise” commercial during the bowl telecast at no charge, demonstrating the financial benefit that Athletics provides in promoting the academic mission of the university. The bowl game on ESPN capped off eight total appearances on the ESPN family of networks.

·         Having success nationally by reaching a bowl game enhances the image of Ohio University and Bobcat athletics throughout the country.  The significant exposure received can benefit enrollment, fundraising, campus life and school pride to students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends. The Ohio University Alumni Association assisted with 16 organized Independence Bowl viewing parties across the country for Ohio alums.

·         Ohio University student-athletes participated in volunteer service projects, where they demonstrated their commitment to community and public service while gaining invaluable personal experiences in helping others. Ohio student-athletes visited with patients from LSU Children’s Hospital – Shreveport, LA.

·         Bobcat fans donated over 450 tickets to the Boys and Girls Club of Shreveport and Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Shreveport through the Ohio Athletics “Tickets for Kids” program.

·         It is the reason why student-athletes compete - to get to postseason play.  It is a reward for student-athletes, coaches and fans.

·         It provides a valuable experience for the student-athletes to visit another region of the country, take in the culture and grow personally.

·         Bowl trips assist in recruiting student-athletes, which fosters future winning teams.  It also provides the football team with extra practice to improve their talent for next year.

·         Trips to bowl games assist in future revenue production and budget stability for the athletic department through increased ticket sales, fundraising and other related financial benefits.

Bowl Budget 

·         Attending a bowl game has far reaching benefits for the athletic department and university.  However, it is common for most schools that attend bowls to have more expenses than revenues received.  Fortunately, the bowl venture ended up at a break even situation for the football team’s travel.  The overall revenues were able to meet the expense needs for the football team.  There was a detailed and planned cost containment effort to ensure the least expense possible for the travel party.  Due to bowl requirements, the trip for the team was six days in length.

·         Revenues for the bowl include: the Mid-American Conference/participating bowl guarantee, ticket sales (the university is able to keep all proceeds from the sale of 2,700 distributed tickets) and a Ohio Athletics postseason reserve budget account that was set up in 2009 to mitigate institutional support for postseason appearances.