If this is posted elsewhere, I apologize, but I didn't see it. Tuberville was at the bball game tonight at halftime, practically begging people to go to the game Saturday. Then he offered to "buy" everyone at the game 2 tickets for Saturday's game. Sure enough, on the way out they handed out envelopes of 2 tickets to everyone who wanted them - my son got 2 and I got 2. Not great seats, obviously, but who am I to complain? Then when I got home I had 2 free club seat tickets in my mailbox as a reward for buying bball season tickets. There's a lot to discuss and debate about this, but I personally think it's both a great way to attract and retain relatively casual fans like me, and a sad commentary on the interest level for UC football this season.

I think the horrible start is what cost them attendance wise this year.

If they're giving away tickets next year at a remodeled Nip I'll be upset, not so much this year.

I've got two tickets in the south end zone if anyone wants them, just PM and be willing to pick'em up in Pleasant Ridge. Out of town for a wedding this weekend.

Thanks to everyone who came out tonight and that is planning on coming Saturday. Eyes will be on UC this weekend.

(12-03-2014 12:08 AM)Ash_UC_Tix Wrote:  Thanks to everyone who came out tonight and that is planning on coming Saturday. Eyes will be on UC this weekend.

Did all the club seats for season BB tickets go out. I still haven't received mine. If they don't arrive by today, who should I call? Also, are umbrellas allowed in for Saturday's game since the forecast is for rain?

Giving away tickets is only a good tactic if the objection is cost. I don't believe it is. I'm not sure I wouldn't do it either under the circumstances, but doing so less than five days before kickoff is begging for fans at the conference co-championship.

To me, the larger issue is strategic and requires a more comprehensive, consistent marketing and promotion campaign. UC has all the data they need about poor attendance for late November/early December games when Cincinnati's weather becomes excuse number one. And the forecast has turned lousy for Saturday with the possibility of some heavy rain. That could make for a poor showing once again on national TV at a time when many feel UC is being scrutinized for P5 readiness.

If Saturday's weather arrived on Sunday instead for a Bengals game, wouldn't the place still be mostly full?

UC is to be commended for building a solid core of loyal football fans in recent years and I'm optimistic that will only continue @ Nippert next season. Beyond that cohort, the occasional fans are a fragile lot who will produce a litany of excuses. To me, giving away free tickets isn't the solution. UC had "buy one, get one" promotions for years prior to the Big East and that never really filled Nippert, even when a Rose Bowl team with a Heisman candidate (Wisconsin) came calling.

UC football has come a long way since that day but now (not August 2015) is the time to redouble efforts to fill Nippert next season.

So we have Ono putting on twitter that lots of important people will be watching Saturday, Tuberville on the broadcast last night saying essentially the same thing (in addition to saying Cece Jefferson will be there), Tuberville and UC giving out over 13,000 free tickets to the game, and now someone from the ticket office saying that eyes will be on UC this weekend.

Ash - we talking about bowl game scouts, or is this something bigger as in conference realignment type folks? I assume bowl game scouts as conference realignment guys wouldn't be basing their decision off of Saturday's atmosphere, but perhaps the committee is coming to town for a closer look at UC?

Cold and rainy on Saturday. I'll be there but already getting a lot of cold feet from others in our group. The ladies may be going Christmas shopping instead.

(12-02-2014 10:47 PM)BeerCat Wrote:  I think the horrible start is what cost them attendance wise this year.

Sadly I think this is the case. This city and "fan" base is so wishy washy that one bad stretch sent the casual fans heading for the hills and tuning out for the rest of the season, regardless of any turnaround. I'm glad they're still trying to get people to turn out for one last shot at a conference title, no matter how it might look to those on the outside. What a strange end to a very unusual, and possibly successful, season of UC football.

That being said, my 2 free tickets that I received last night are up for grabs to anyone who wants them. DM me if interested.

A lot of us on this message board go to all of the home football games. We wish we were in a higher profile league but we love UC football so we go regardless.

It's the people that are not die hard UC fans that question going to watch UC play in the rain and cold against Houston for a chance at a co-championship in a lower echelon league and a lower echelon bowl game that will have a hard time going to the game.

It's just not the same as UC vs Syracuse for a chance at the Orange Bowl, or UC vs Pitt for a chance at the Big East title.

It could be someday, but the AAC has a long way to go before it gets that big. Add in the fact that the P5 are shutting out the rest of us and it becomes a monumental challenge.

My free tickets are gone but if you know someone who got some freebies last night or just has some available, post it on here. Let's make sure that there's actually butts in those seats no matter what!

Just to update, my free tickets have been claimed.

Proactive,,Good call from the AD/ONO/TT...When has that ever happened from UC?

(12-04-2014 09:12 AM)BearcatBeta Wrote:  Proactive,,Good call from the AD/ONO/TT...When has that ever happened from UC?

Not only proactive in terms of filling the stadium, but proactive from the point of view that this move could be a difference maker in whether a potential student enrolls at UC or another school. Think about it: high school senior hasn't made up their mind about UC, Miami or Ohio University. They are all really close in their mind. Ono hands out a coupel freebies and the prospective student has such a great time it seals the deal. He/she pays tuition for the next four years. Buys student tickets when they enroll. Major win-win for UC.

I wonder if they're trying to fill the entire stadium for this one and not JUST the bottom bowl. With the amount of free tickets they've offered there's no way it's just the bottom bowl anymore.

Also, I doubt we're talking about bowl scouts for our crap bowls because there really is no difference in prestige between the Miami Beach Bowl and the Duck Commander Bowl at this point. It's got to be committee, CeCe, or something we all have been hoping for for years. I'm guessing it's one of the firs two that they're referring to.

In 1983,when I was a senior in high school, my future Calhoun Hall roommate and myself were given tickets to a UC game at Riverfront Stadium because we had applied to UC. I remember it being a nice sunny day and I took a nap in the third quarter.

I have dreams of Santa and Bohn strolling out to midfield at halftime, taking the mic, announcing to the crowd of 60,000 that we have accepted an invite to the B12, ESPN covering the event live, and our team coming out and dropping 70 on Houston to win our last season in the AAC.

And then I wake up.

(12-04-2014 10:06 AM)bearcats23 Wrote:  I have dreams of Santa and Bohn strolling out to midfield at halftime, taking the mic, announcing to the crowd of 60,000 that we have accepted an invite to the B12, ESPN covering the event live, and our team coming out and dropping 70 on Houston to win our last season in the AAC.

And then I wake up.

I would love to see Santa pull a Chris Rock in that scenario.

(12-04-2014 09:51 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  I wonder if they're trying to fill the entire stadium for this one and not JUST the bottom bowl. With the amount of free tickets they've offered there's no way it's just the bottom bowl anymore.

Also, I doubt we're talking about bowl scouts for our crap bowls because there really is no difference in prestige between the Miami Beach Bowl and the Duck Commander Bowl at this point. It's got to be committee, CeCe, or something we all have been hoping for for years. I'm guessing it's one of the firs two that they're referring to.

The average attendance for home games this year is 29,701 with a high of 41,926 for the Miami, OH game. With the amount of tickets given out, I would expect about 43,000 fans or more on Saturday. But why is the administration drawing so much attention for this game? When have we ever given out that many tickets for one game? I just cannot see that much effort to land one of the nation's best recruits. I just cannot see that much effort for a bowl game. (I don't think the CFP committee would need to be in Cincy, nor any bowl committee member). And how many trips did Ono make to Dallas? I can see a single friendly reminder visit but was there more than one visit?
A lot of unanswered questions that will lead to a big disappointment this weekend or perhaps a big step up. A topping off at Nippert, a committment from a top ten recruit, beating Houston and claiming a share of the conference title, and maybe more. I'm looking forward to this weekend.