I'm not in the O-Zone leadership, so I do not have the authority to make this call. But I believe it is imperative the O-Zone have a meeting open to all members and students before the end of the semester.

In short, the meeting should focus on actions that could be taken during the remainder of this season.  Each step would capitalize on the excitement this men's basketball team will bring this winter. I believe an open meeting will allow an influx of new ideas by opening a new line of communication with students who would not normally participate in discussion with O-Zone leadership. I believe this brainstorming session will reinvigorate the O-Zone and potentially introduce a new level of organization that will position the student section for a bright future.

I would like to lead the meeting for the purpose of keeping discussion on topic and ensuring all bulletin points are hit. My outline for such a meeting goes as follows:

1. Travel to one or more road games (we play both Kent and Akron on a Saturday, also discuss MAC tourney)

• Necessary evaluation of O-Zone funds available to support such a student trip
• Gauging student interest
• Fundraising options if necessary
• Co-ordination with bus companies

(I will personally organize the bus trips myself if no one wants to do this. I just need the authority. I saw the O-Zone at an away Kent State basketball game when I was in high school. I'll never forget how awesome it was listening to them drown out the Flashes) 

2. Developing new cheers to support the team

• Open discussion of cheers done at each others various high schools, colleges, pro-teams that work for the Bobcats
• New ideas welcome

3. Establishment of group section leaders

• A group consists of five (5) students
• Each group will sit at the front and back of each bleacher section. A group will be proficient in current and new cheers and cheer in unison with the other groups
• Method to reserve these seats for group section leaders before every game

4. Enforcement of cheering only section

• The bleachers will be reserved only for students who cheer (within reason) (aka students who do not, not cheer) for the time being
• Standing at all times while the ball is in play
• O-Zone t-shirt not enforced (for the time being, to ensure we're getting the vocal supporters)

(This topic may seem harsh, but I believe it is necessary. Student involvement at games has decreased with the increase in student attendance. I believe it is because many of those sitting in the bleachers have no intention of verbally getting involved at the game. That's fine, but directing these uninterested students away will improve how vocal the O-Zone is at games by reserving seats for students who want to cheer. You have to draw the line somewhere. Why not there?)

I'm posting this as a suggestion of the the type of meeting I would like to see. Certainly all I have posted is up for interpretation, discussion, and change.

A meeting like this could be held at a larger room in Morton Hall (centrally located). Even if no one but the O-Zone leadership and a handful of students show up I believe it will still be a valuable discussion.

If this is possible to any extent, large or small, can someone from the O-Zone email me at eb963707@ohio.edu or PM me for my cellphone number?

As for a meeting date, how about next Wednesday? We could send out an e-mail to all O-Zone members, maybe hang up some flyers.

I'm all for this.  I've got a solid list of people who would be interested, and I'll contact a cheerleader friend as well.

We have a key away game at 7.

Bobcats_828 - - - - Good Stuff!

I was wondering what happened to the Ozone in the second half  - ???????? Need to bring the noise just as much to Keep a lead as is to get one!!!!!!! There was a ridiculous extended dead period, when OUr offense went dead, and their offense took off!

I agree with most of the rants and suggestions here and in the other thread, but there needs to be more leading by example. If you want to do a cheer, DO IT! Don't wait for the cheerleaders, don't worry about people around you, don't worry about being a mere freshman if you are. If you want to make noise, DO IT, and commit to make it last the entire possession. Give the person next to you a nudge if they're not doing anything, even if it's a stranger. If ever you're thinking that it's awfully quiet in the section, do something to fix it.

I was a student from 2004 - 2008. I was the scoreboard guy my senior year. My sophomore and junior years saw awesome O Zone participation for nearly every game. Didn't matter if it was a November game against Marist or if it was Akron. Every Bobcat 3-pointer or dunk sent us into that jump around-OOOOOO thing. If you commit to it, others will follow. Come on, this is supposed to be fun.

Yes. To every. Single. Thing. 

I'm requesting promotional handouts be done the way the Sweet 16 glasses were done, with a voucher that can be redeemed when the clock hits 0:00 and not a SECOND sooner. 

OZone shirts first, everyone else without a shirt can wait until the OZoners are in. If you are wearing another school's shirt, you will NOT get floor seat access. 

If you see someone sitting, not cheering, being obnoxious, ect. CALL THEM OUT. Be you a Freshman or Senior or anywhere in between, DO IT. If they won't cheer, won't stand, invite them to the more comfortable seats a few rows up. Staring someone down and saying "Stand up!" usually gets them to do it. Peer pressure is good!

You want a cheer done? LEAD IT. Yeah, we "leaders" are up there, but we're really just liaisons to Drake. The OZone is all of ours, not just a select few. Doesn't catch on? KEEP GOING. People will learn it. Someone tells you not to? SCREW THEM. 

We're coordinating with the 110 come MAC play.

You want OZone change? Be that change. We call ourselves "Best Fans in the MAC", so let's act like it.

I don't want to give my two cents if it's not wanted, but I will say it's worth the time to try to bring in former leaders.

This would be a great idea as well.

I live in Athens and would be willing to help.

Ok, cool let me know when this function is on thursday, I have a function to go to. 

Any updates on this?  Are any of you watching the Memphis game in town?

I'll be there, and I'll bring as many friends as possible. 

  When was this incident? I think it was my senior year (09-10) I gave some sorority girl the business from two sections away (i was at center court) for wearing m*a^& in the OZone. That was the act I found the most offensive.