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Topic: RE: The OZONE?

Topic: RE: The OZONE?

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boydhallbobcat
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/26/2020 10:40:42 AM

I actually thought the Ozone was decent last night. The 2nd half was great. They finally stood up and I think had a big impact on the comeback. It stinks the next men’s home game is 2 weeks away bc I’m scared they’ll forget about how much fun they had. I give them props for yesterday though.

CatsUp
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/26/2020 10:59:51 AM

boydhallbobcat wrote:

I think the better Ozone performance was largely due to the ROTC students. They were definitely into the action, especially the second half, and they made their presence known. Their performance of a routine with the dance team was icing on the cake. ;)

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/26/2020 12:20:21 PM

OU_Country wrote:

shabamon wrote:

Just an observation not specific to OU, basketball, or sports in general. Gen Z seems a bit too inhibited and self-conscious to let loose.

Ruck said it better than I did. A big, energetic student presence is gold to an athletic department. In any business, if you're not able to generate new, loyal customers, you will die.

I'm gonna sound like an old man when I ask this, but how much of the "bit too inhibited and self-conscious to let loose" has to do with phones and cameras being everywhere, and the fear of embarrassing yourself, or potentially worse?

I did some dumb things I did at that age like everyone else. I'd like to think that with camera's everywhere, I would have been a little different.

That's an interesting possibility.

But in my mind it's much more likely that the decline in student interest in basketball is less likely to be about some major shift in how 18-22 year olds act compared to previous generations, and much more to do with how the internet/streaming services have changed audience sizes across basically every type of entertainment -- live or otherwise.

I think it's honestly pretty simple: Ohio Basketball competes for eyeballs and attention with far more options than they did at the O Zone's peak. Add to that the fact that the program's performed poorly, and I think that explains the vast majority of the issue here. I was in school during the D-Lo era of the O Zone, and if it was a Tuesday night you could watch whatever happened to be on TV, go uptown, or go to the Convo. Now? You can go Uptown, go to the Convo, or choose to watch any film or television show every produced on demand.

It may be that generational changes impact things around the margins, but audiences are shrinking everywhere because there are hundreds of thousands of options now that there weren't even 3 years ago.

Last Edited: 1/26/2020 12:23:42 PM by Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame

OhioBobcat
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/26/2020 1:29:26 PM

During the mid 1980's CMU used to have a very good student section. They'd actually throw TP over the rafters after the first CMU score, causing a delay to clean up the arena. And when I say throw TP, I'm talking a ton. It was a white out. In the late 1990's and early 2000's, Bowling Green's student section was awesome. It's when they played back in Anderson Arena (I loved that old place) and the student section was packed and right on the floor. I remember when Sports Illustrated did a feature on it and had pictures of it in an issue. Dick Vitale called Anderson Arena "the Cameron of the MAC." Of course, this overlapped with some very good BG teams. As BG hoops lost steam, so did that environment and it's never been back. Then the O-Zone took shape and had some really good year before also drifting off. I've never found Akron's section to be what I would call good, I find it more obnoxious. But it's better than most in the MAC. Honestly, I don't really think there's what I was called a good student section in the MAC any more. Some are certainly better than others, but none are as good as the ones mentioned above.

Last Edited: 1/26/2020 1:29:42 PM by OhioBobcat

The Optimist
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Location: CLE
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/26/2020 1:30:25 PM

In addition to cellphones and cameras, I think a lot of students are hesitant to let loose because of the Bobcat Black seats. No college kid is going to feel comfortable "letting loose" like the O Zone used to when you've got adults and small children immediately in front of them...

I've seen crazier things happen.

The Optimist
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/26/2020 1:33:56 PM

Also I would like to add I thought the crowd noise against Akron was very good! Every year (even when the O Zone was "at it's peak) we've had threads on this board about it's supposed death... So while I do feel some criticism is valid I think as excitement hopefully builds around this team at some point the problem may solve itself...

I've seen crazier things happen.

OhioCatFan
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/26/2020 2:33:40 PM

The Optimist wrote:

I agree with this observation, as well as your one about the crowd intensity yesterday. I've never been a fan of the "black seat" concept. There's got to be a better way to reward "deep pockets" than to sit them on the floor like that. Maybe a special section right behind the home team bench. Some folks currently in those seats would howl, but it would be a put up or shut up situation.

The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA

"It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right."

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cbus cat fan
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/26/2020 2:48:14 PM

The other day after hearing that David Lee Roth was doing some live shows in Las Vegas, on and off for a couple of months, before he opens up for KISS, I made my way over to a couple of Van Halen sites. The Message boards were full of middle age men and a few women imploring the band to get back together and tour. One poster talked about the summers of 81, 82, 83 and 84, saying they were the happiest in his life, following Van Halen around and engaging in the kind of Hi jinks one might think would happen to adolescent and slightly older young men of that era. Finally, one poster told the group to adjust to the fact that it's not 1984 anymore. He said something to the effect that we don't look and hopefully not act the same anymore, and the kids today are different, they probably know more about Van Gogh than Van Halen.

I will think about that line of reasoning every time a discussion of student participation comes forth on the board. I get it, my friends and I loudly cheered on the Cats in the Nee era. I have reminisced on this board about countless raucous crowds that were nearly weekday sellouts like Depaul in 1983 or even the Miami loss in 1986 when the future NBA star Ron Harper took over the game for the Redskins. Even with two future NBA players of our own (Snoopy Graham and Dave Jamerson) we couldn't win, though nearly 12,000 came on a Wednesday night! In some ways it seems like yesterday to me, but when I see the students now it seems like a very long time ago. A different era indeed.

After the Purdue game I posted that I had dinner and a beer at one of the few Athens watering holes open before the game and a nice chat with some seniors and fifth year seniors. Though they called themselves sports fans, none were going to the game. They just didn't think of the MAC as big time sports and getting all rowdy just wasn't their thing. They asked me about what the student sections were like back in the day and they just couldn't imagine it.

I told them I went to a small Catholic high school, so the cheering I did at the Convo was a continuation of what I did in high school. They said their high school experience was nothing like mine. All of these factors, combined with social media and many more options to compete with your time, compared to that of the 1980s, make today seem light years away from the 1980s.

This is why the Dayton experience that we have all refereed to is so amazing. It hasn't changed in forever, always raucous and exciting. As was discussed here in many settings, the reason for that are many, a religious institution that has a uniting influence since most of the kids came from Catholic high schools, where students often are greatly involved in cheering on their team. Couple that with the setting of Dayton itself, a medium sized city that can bring in large crowds, but is small enough not to have any other sports competition. I believe Jeff posted that no one near us can ever compete with Dayton for all of those reasons and others. I am inclined to agree, though as Alan has mentioned more could be done. The bottom line is you can't tell make students cheer the way we did, it's not the same for them.

Last Edited: 1/26/2020 2:53:47 PM by cbus cat fan

Alan Swank
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Member Since: 12/11/2004
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/26/2020 4:25:51 PM

The Optimist wrote:

Bingo. You are on a roll lately. And when you consider that the black seats behind the tables are almost always vacant, it might just be time to move them out.

BillyTheCat
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/27/2020 4:07:21 AM

Alan Swank wrote:

The Optimist wrote:

Bingo. You are on a roll lately. And when you consider that the black seats behind the tables are almost always vacant, it might just be time to move them out.

What? And give up that revenue stream? ;-)

shabamon
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Member Since: 11/17/2006
Location: Cincinnati
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/27/2020 10:06:51 AM

Whenever we do the ROTC game, those guys show up and give a shit. Saturday definitely sounded more energized than the new normal, not only from the fans at the game, but the gameday production sounded appropriate from my position watching at home. The band played at the right times and the canned music played at the right times (Zombie Nation in the middle of a comeback!)

OU_Country
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Member Since: 12/6/2005
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/27/2020 10:35:21 AM

Alan Swank wrote:

The Optimist wrote:

Bingo. You are on a roll lately. And when you consider that the black seats behind the tables are almost always vacant, it might just be time to move them out.

+1.

rpbobcat
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Location: Rochelle Park, NJ
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/27/2020 10:40:32 AM

Alan Swank wrote:

And when you consider that the black seats behind the tables are almost always vacant, it might just be time to move them out.

Question isn't whether there are people sitting in them.

Its whether or not they are sold.

If they are sold,I wouldn't ,based on past experience,count on OU "moving them out".

Alan Swank
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/27/2020 10:50:03 AM

rpbobcat wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

And when you consider that the black seats behind the tables are almost always vacant, it might just be time to move them out.

Question isn't whether there are people sitting in them.

Its whether or not they are sold.

If they are sold,I wouldn't ,based on past experience,count on OU "moving them out".

My comments are based on minimal short term gain versus maximum long term loss. I just had a conversation with the Senior Director Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving at an Ohio university today about students engaged in campus organizations (Greeks, choir, band, etc.) and long-term giving. Bottom line, the more engaged they are as students the more likely they are to give back to their university over the long haul.

rpbobcat
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/27/2020 11:22:02 AM

Alan Swank wrote:

First off,lets not forget Athletics.
Being a Bobcat on the soccer field forged some of my bonds to OU.

I agree 100% that when thinking long term,the more students are engaged,the more likely they are to "give back".

Thing is,based on some past decisions,"long term" and OU Policies seem to be contradictory.

cc-cat
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/27/2020 12:20:02 PM

rpbobcat wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

And when you consider that the black seats behind the tables are almost always vacant, it might just be time to move them out.

Question isn't whether there are people sitting in them.

Its whether or not they are sold.

If they are sold,I wouldn't ,based on past experience,count on OU "moving them out".

If folks are buying these seats and not sitting in them, then they are not purchasing them for the experience, but rather to donate to the program...and occasionally get a seat. Therefore they are most likely strong supporters of Ohio Athletics and will 1. understand the interest in creating a home court advantage and 2. will find another way to donate funds. Unfortunately you are probably right - the administration is not smart enough to "move them out."

Last Edited: 1/27/2020 12:21:39 PM by cc-cat

Alan Swank
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/27/2020 12:36:23 PM

cc-cat wrote:

rpbobcat wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

And when you consider that the black seats behind the tables are almost always vacant, it might just be time to move them out.

Question isn't whether there are people sitting in them.

Its whether or not they are sold.

If they are sold,I wouldn't ,based on past experience,count on OU "moving them out".

Monroe was the classic example of this.

shabamon
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Location: Cincinnati
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/27/2020 1:06:57 PM

Alan Swank wrote:

cc-cat wrote:

rpbobcat wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

And when you consider that the black seats behind the tables are almost always vacant, it might just be time to move them out.

Question isn't whether there are people sitting in them.

Its whether or not they are sold.

If they are sold,I wouldn't ,based on past experience,count on OU "moving them out".

Monroe was the classic example of this.

At least he tried to sell them. I see those seats, and others in the lower bowl, empty but never for sale on our website or any secondhand sellers'.

Andrew Ruck
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/27/2020 3:10:19 PM

shabamon wrote:

Whenever we do the ROTC game, those guys show up and give a shit.

Absolutely correct. Which then begs the question...all those ROTC people continue on being OU students well after that game. If they have fun, why do they not return as normal out-of-uniform students? Why do they only show up when they are required by their program?

Andrew Ruck
B.B.A. 2003

GoCats105
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/27/2020 3:19:35 PM

shabamon wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

cc-cat wrote:

rpbobcat wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

And when you consider that the black seats behind the tables are almost always vacant, it might just be time to move them out.

Question isn't whether there are people sitting in them.

Its whether or not they are sold.

If they are sold,I wouldn't ,based on past experience,count on OU "moving them out".

Monroe was the classic example of this.

At least he tried to sell them. I see those seats, and others in the lower bowl, empty but never for sale on our website or any secondhand sellers'.

Ding ding. That's my issue.

And I still don't see how a row of seats and advertising scorers table is impairing a student being a good fan to the team. You're still sitting/standing a lot closer than some other schools. That's a cop out just because you're not "on the floor." If the seats are making money for the AD, I don't have a problem with them. If they're not being sold, that's a different story.

Last Edited: 1/27/2020 3:21:45 PM by GoCats105

cbus cat fan
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/27/2020 4:13:22 PM

I just don't get why some of you don't see the forest for the trees. There is a ton more promotional work being done since many of us were students, but it falls on deaf ears because if more students cared, they would go to the games. In my last post, a few above this one, I repeated my Purdue story on talking to seniors and 5th year seniors who frankly just weren't into MAC sports. They might go to a game or two, perhaps with their parents for Parents Weekend, but by and large it just isn't their thing. Times have changed.

We could probably take busloads of them to Dayton to see how raucous and involved their students are for a big basketball weekend and upon returning many of our students would say that's nice, and we would never see them again.

Different day, different students, lots of entertainment options. I wish it weren't so, but unless we go on an epic run like Dayton, the student section we remember from the Nee or Groce era is as ancient to current students as the Coach Snyder epic 1964 run. My guess is that Coach Boals will get us on our winning ways in a few years and hopefully back to the Big Dance. However, if some of you think it will be like 1986, 1995 or 2012 again, I hope I am wrong but I am guessing that raucous ship has sailed and has no intentions of returning to Port Convo.

We have the best fan support in the MAC, even though we have the smallest population within 50 miles of the campus. Yet, what about Akron or Buffalo, or any other MAC school that has been to the NCAA tournament since we last went? They can't top us with tons more people within 50 miles of their campus. What does that tell you?

Last Edited: 1/27/2020 4:33:42 PM by cbus cat fan

Alan Swank
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/27/2020 6:01:49 PM

GoCats105 wrote:

shabamon wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

cc-cat wrote:

rpbobcat wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

And when you consider that the black seats behind the tables are almost always vacant, it might just be time to move them out.

Question isn't whether there are people sitting in them.

Its whether or not they are sold.

If they are sold,I wouldn't ,based on past experience,count on OU "moving them out".

Monroe was the classic example of this.

At least he tried to sell them. I see those seats, and others in the lower bowl, empty but never for sale on our website or any secondhand sellers'.

Respectfully disagreeing with the table and chairs. It's a barrier between the students and the game. I had front row seats in Mem Aud a few years back for Wilco. Believe it or not, they had a 5 foot high fence between the front row and the stage. What did they think was going to happen? The chairs and tables have the same effect. Combine that with the fact that I honestly believe that the vast majority of our students are good and polite people and put a row of 60+ year old "rich folks" in front of them and suddenly there is a certain amount of restraint. It's like going to a party with top shelf liquor and first growth wines and walking into the room and seeing your grandparents. So much for a fun two hours. We can keep the black seats just not the ones in front of the two sections of the traditional OZone.

Bobcat2019
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/27/2020 6:25:57 PM

Alan Swank wrote:

GoCats105 wrote:

shabamon wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

cc-cat wrote:

rpbobcat wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

And when you consider that the black seats behind the tables are almost always vacant, it might just be time to move them out.

Question isn't whether there are people sitting in them.

Its whether or not they are sold.

If they are sold,I wouldn't ,based on past experience,count on OU "moving them out".

Monroe was the classic example of this.

At least he tried to sell them. I see those seats, and others in the lower bowl, empty but never for sale on our website or any secondhand sellers'.

This right here

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/27/2020 7:05:51 PM

Alan Swank wrote:

GoCats105 wrote:

shabamon wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

cc-cat wrote:

rpbobcat wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

And when you consider that the black seats behind the tables are almost always vacant, it might just be time to move them out.

Question isn't whether there are people sitting in them.

Its whether or not they are sold.

If they are sold,I wouldn't ,based on past experience,count on OU "moving them out".

Monroe was the classic example of this.

At least he tried to sell them. I see those seats, and others in the lower bowl, empty but never for sale on our website or any secondhand sellers'.

My grandparents could put away an awful lot of first growth wines and top shelf liquor.

cbus cat fan
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RE: The OZONE?

Posted: 1/27/2020 8:28:59 PM

Paging Chief Brody. Instead of asking; hooks and lines what't the point? I feel like adding, tables and chairs what't the point? This whole discussion has gone way into the weeds of silliness. I can't remember the last time I saw a good number of students sitting in the second level? Why is that, because the lower level has more than enough room for them. Honestly, in the 80s when the student population was far smaller than it is now, I can remember being a few rows from the top, and my friends and I hardly came at the last minute. The amount of publicity and promotions were a drop in the bucket compared to now.

This reminds of high school discussions where boys and girls argue that if they had only wore this or said that, he or she would have liked me. As the cliche goes, sorry the kids just aren't into MAC sports they way we once were. If that makes you feel bad, we still have the most support of any MAC school. I don't know if that is suppose to put a smile on our face, or make us cry. It just is what it is.

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