Changes Will Bring New Energy to Bobcat Football Games
ATHENS, Ohio (September 13, 2000) -- Ohio University home football games will be the talk to the town this year. From catered meals for students to the booming sound of a cannon, this fall's game day changes will make every Bobcat fan stand up and cheer.
Additions include a buffet-style meal for students and a Civil War-style cannon to celebrate exciting plays. The Bobcats, fresh off a 23-17 win over Big Ten foe Minnesota last Saturday, kick off their home season at 7 p.m. Saturday against Tennessee Tech under the lights at Peden Stadium.
"We want Athens to be a fun place to watch a game," said Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs Tim Van Alstine. "We want Peden Stadium to be the Wrigley Field of college football."
The buffet meal, called the Bobcat Pre-game Kickoff, will be available to students with meal plans and each week will carry a different theme. Italian, Mexican and New Orleans-style meals already are planned. Serving will begin an hour and a half before kickoff and close 15 minutes before the first play. Students also will be able to use Bobcat Cash at the concession stands this year by presenting their student IDs.
Fans also will see changes on the field. A replica of an 1841 Mountain Howitzer cannon will be used to charge up the crowd. The cannon will be fired from the northwest end zone by a new student group, the Ohio University Red Leg Artillery Society, to accentuate Bobcat scores and big plays.
As a special attraction for Homecoming, a portable 13- by 17-foot video screen in the southeast corner of the stadium will broadcast live action, instant replay and graphics. That game, against Central Michigan, will mark the first time live video has been shown at Peden Stadium.
Another change will make ticket policies more convenient for students. Rather than picking tickets up on a game-by-game basis, students may get a season's worth of tickets in one stop. They're available at the Ohio Athletics ticket office, Follett's Bookstore and the Baker Center information desk.
To create a true student section at the game, students will be given a special red ticket and must present it along with a valid university ID for admittance to this reserved section.
"Students have expressed an interest in having an exclusive student section, so the new policy will assure us that only students are using these tickets," said Director of Athletics Ticket Operations Shelly Binegar.
In addition to this Saturday's game, the Bobcats also host Akron at 2 p.m. Sept. 23; Buffalo at 7 p.m. Oct. 7; Central Michigan at 2 p.m. Oct. 21 and Marshall at 4 p.m. Nov. 18. Call 593-1300 or 800-575-CATS for ticket information.
