What's up everyone. Long time reader of BobcatAttack and fan of OU Athletics, first time posting though.

Figured this thread was a good time to join and add some thoughts. During my time at OU ('05-'09) I was an active member of the OZone and even served as the group president for two of those years ('07-'08 and '08-'09).

OZone participation ebbed and flowed over the four years, but there were far more active and rowdy nights than quiet ones. It helped that the O'Shea-led team was successful, competitive, and fun to watch, and I honestly believe we will get there with Boals' squads. But also give credit to some amazing momentum building individuals (e.g. BobcatDragon (I think that's his BA username)) and the fact that it was a student-led organization with support from the Athletic department. Ideas came from the students, were fueled by the students, and supported by our Athletic Dept. champion.

It also helped that students had nothing between them and the court (yes I support moving the Bobcat Black seats elsewhere) so they could really get into the players' heads, and the t-shirts made the group seen more unified and coveted.

While I agree that times have changed a bit, I think the opportunity is still there to reinvigorate the student cheering section. Bobcat2019 if you are serious about taking it on, you should. Below are some ideas from me

- Bring back the t-shirts
- Incentivize students to attend (i know there have been countless giveaways at games in the past, but maybe there are other things we can do that would appeal to the students better. e.g. partner with local restaurants/bars/stores/coffee shops to give away gift certificates, free Uber rides if that's a thing in Athens, tickets to NFL games, NCAA tourney games)
- Identify clubs/organizations (e.g. ROTC, frats, clubs) that have proven to be the loudest, and invite them to attend. Heck, maybe even organize a OZone alumni game so students can see how much fun it used to be, and still can be

The success and growth of the OZone will be a combination of student-driven investment and involvement, and probably some luck if it can coincide with successful bball teams, but the opportunity is there.

Lots of good thoughts here. I'll add an idea as it relates to tickets: Free tickets to Cleveland/Detroit, and an organized a bus to go to visiting campus arena's on some weekend away games.

Lastly, I've often thought that an organized/official "Old Zone" would be fun. :)

I'll reiterate that unless it's a perfect storm of pregame hype, it may just be that kids these days are too cool for this stuff anymore.

Case in point, I went to what was probably the biggest high school game you could find in Cincinnati last night. Teams came in a combined 31-7. Two large public schools and no sign of a student cheering section of any kind from either side.

My eldest is now 13. I started to rant to him about the student section sitting and being docile, gave hi a top notch "back in my day" speech. He rolled his eyes at me and couldn't understand why anyone would stand for an entire game. Even when I stand at big moments, he is genuinely confused at what I am doing. He enjoys the Bobcats and going to the games...but is definitely too cool to get hyped and into it as a fan.

My kids are still toddlers, but hypothetically, I'd like to think I'd tell them they're being a buzzkill when it's appropriate.

I can't even convince my 13 year olds to go the games anymore. We go to every game though, so the novelty had worn off for them and after they just finished their own practice or game, they generally just want to go home and relax.

Yeah man, he's 13. What did you expect?

Couldn't help but overhear part of a first half conversation Saturday during the men's game. A student expressed shock and disgust at the apparent behavior of another fan. She said, "We would have gotten in so much trouble for that at [private Catholic school]." I was later able to piece together that some other fan had committed the horrible crime of yelling, "You suck."

This generation is terrible.

That's insensitive. We might need to create a safe space for those who disagree with you. Unless, you know, the administration agrees with you - then screw those guys.

/sarcasm.

Remember when Kent had like three guys with criminal records and there was debate here whether chanting "DUI" during their free throws was over the line? Fun times.

The last great thing I heard from an OZone member was during the Akron days when they had Treadwell, and I was sitting in Monroe's Bobcat Black seats. I heard a student yell at Treadwell "you look like a grasshopper with a beard" and I was laughing about that for a good 10 minutes.

Chris Singleton - I remember that one. Kent, in those days, made it really easy to get good material.

Deborah McDavis was NOT pleased when the O Zone addressed Tyree Evans history.

"No means no!"

"She was 15!"

And that, my friends, is how you have fun in a student section. Good times.

Yeah, I remember arriving in the Ozone and there were, more or less, scripts for us instructing us what to yell and when. On these scripts were also a basic history of anything controversial for the other team. That made things fun and easy.