Hello all! I'm opening this thread as a future reference for suggestions regarding the O-Zone next season. Me and Rishi have made the decision to pursue official student organization recognition of the O-Zone and recruit for the various staffing positions.

Pursuing student org status is the logical next step. You could charge a once-a-year dues that could be used a few different ways. But here's the thing, in the O Zone's heyday, one of the biggest perks perks for paid membership was exclusive access to the best seats. I don't know if now's the time just yet to potentially turn away people who want to be at the games. It'd be you and the AD's call.

If you want to go this route, see if the O Zone can get a table at events where there will be lots of freshmen. Isn't there an event at summer orientation where different academic units and other offices set up a booth and pass out information? That's one option. Definitely the student organization fair on move-in weekend. I remember one year there was a freshman pep rally in the Convo right before the home opener football game and we set up a table. Get names, contact info, and whatever you and athletics feel is a fair membership fee.

Let's move towards matching tee shirts again. You could order ahead of time and have them available to distribute at the above events once someone registers. I'm sure some area businesses would sponsor. From experience, you would need to order way more smalls and mediums than you do larges and XLs.

Plan ahead for a bus trip to one road football and basketball game. @Kent for football on October 1 is an easy one. Make them available only to paid O Zone members.

^^^ = Good advice!

Thanks for the advice Shab!! I will definitely remember these points for my meeting with the AD soon about next steps. We already got a BSO slide made, and I plan to make a Google Form for kids to fill out. Also looking to do an offseason flyer campaign throughout the campus. As for shirts, I'm looking to do white with the old O-Zone logo OR a newly designed logo.

Don't limit your efforts to just basketball . . . the football team could use some O-Zone enthusiasm, also.

For sure!!! Same with volleyball. All sports for that matter. Didn't WT/LT originate with the football team?

First time I remember it was in basketball, but BTC will probably tell me I'm wrong.

Interesting. I first heard it originated in the 1960's at football games - but not sure.