Ohio opener will bring kids closer to the game

Ohio football and American Electric Power have teamed up to sponsor "Take a Kid to a Game Day" for Ohio's home opener against Tennessee Tech on Saturday. Children ages 12 and under will receive a free ticket with the purchase of a ticket by an adult.

The free tickets for kids can be picked up with tickets purchased from the athletics ticket office during the week or at the gates on gameday. Peden Stadium Gates 1 and 3 will be open for ticket sales Saturday, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

The "Take a Kid to the Game" program is a national

effort to create awareness for NCAA football and increase attendance at local stadiums. The grassroots marketing campaign was created by Host Communications, Inc. to encourage alumni and fans to take their children to stadiums and arenas to experience intercollegiate athletics.

-an Ohio news release-

Changes will bring new energy to Bobcats football games

Ohio football home games will be receiving a face-lift because of changes made by the athletics department.

Additions include a buffet-style meal for students and a cannon to celebrate exciting plays. The Bobcats - fresh off a 23-17 win against Big Ten foe Minnesota on Saturday - kick off their home season at 7 p.m. Saturday against Tennessee Tech at Peden Stadium.

"We want Athens to be a fun place to watch a game," said Tim Van Alstine, senior associate athletics director for external affairs. "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 will carry a different theme each week. Italian, Mexican and New Orleans-style meals 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 stand 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.

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 replays 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 up tickets on a game-by-game basis, students may get a season's worth of tickets in one stop. They are available at the Ohio athletics ticket office, Follett's Bookstore and the Baker Center information desk.

To create a true student section at games, 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 Shelly Binegar, director of athletics ticket operations.

- an Ohio news release

Times change for Ohio Invitational

The times for Saturday's Ohio Invitational volleyball tournament have been moved two hours earlier, Ohio coach Mike Lessinger said. Ohio now plays Maryland-Baltimore County at 10 a.m. The Southern Methodist-Villanova game starts at 12:30 p.m. Villanova will square off against Maryland-Baltimore County at 3 p.m. before Ohio wraps up the action against Southern Methodist at 5:30 p.m. The change was made to avoid a conflict with Ohio's home football game against Tennessee Tech at 7 p.m. at Peden Stadium.

- an Ohio news release

Kris Whitfield Named MAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week

Ohio volleyball player Kris Whitfield was named the Mid-American Conference's Co-Defensive Player of the Week. Whitfield, who helped guide the Bobcats to the Valpo Popcorn Classic Title, averaged 3.18 digs and 0.71 blocks and had 14 aces. The senior, who also averaged 2.94 kills and 0.53 assists per contest, had 15 and 22 digs in wins against Kent State and Dartmouth, respectively. In addition to the 22 digs against Dartmouth, Whitfield had 16 kills and five aces.

- an Ohio news release