TicketsSept. 1, 2006
CINCINNATI, Ohio---In addition to the exciting action on the field, the University of Cincinnati football team's home opener this Saturday (Sept. 2) will also be chock full of fun off the field. UC will host Motorsports Night at Nippert Stadium and both racing and football fans are sure to be in for a treat as two of 's favorite sports come together on UC's campus.
Motorsports enthusiasts will have a wide variety of activities in which to partake on , just outside of the new . Thanks to the Richard Petty Driving Experience, fans can check out a show car from the Indy Racing League (IRL), along with a driving simulator replica of the No. 38 M&M's Ford from the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.
"Motorsports Night is our initial attempt to offer Bearcat fans something different and reach out to a new fan base within the setting of a college football game day," said UC assistant director of athletics, marketing and fan development Joel Barnhill. "We hope to expand this event in the future and offer more in the way of show car exhibits and possibly, driver autograph sessions."
The off the field fun doesn't stop with the motorsports activities, as the new Bearcats Gameday pre-game show will also be unveiled. The show, hosted by UC's Manager of New Media and Broadcasting Tommy Gelehrter and Scott Springer of 700 WLW, will begin 90 minutes prior to kickoff for each home game. Fans on campus can hear the show live near the stage, while those unable to make it can listen live on the official website of the Bearcats, GoBEARCATS.com. Guests on the first show will include play-by-play man Greg Stotelmyer, former Bearcat Dan Sellers, Cincinnati Post UC beat writer C. Trent Rosecrans, and UC quarterbacks coach Dave Warner.
"Bearcats Gameday will give UC football fans a comprehensive preview of each week's match-up," Gelehrter added. "In addition to breaking down the Bearcats and their opponent, Scott and I will take a look around the BIG EAST and have interviews with various members of the local and national media. For Bearcats fans, Bearcat Gameday will provide an excellent warm-up for the network pre-game show 30 minutes before kickoff."
One other special activity scheduled for Saturday will be an in-game honoring of longtime Bearcats fan Robert I. Zai, Sr. Zai, who was a loyal Bearcats follower for many years, was also the author of a book about the 1961 national championship team. He passed away in mid-August at the age of 88. Zai will be recognized in Nippert Stadium between the first and second quarters.
As always, fans can also enjoy Cattitude at , which will make its debut on just outside the . Younger UC followers can visit the Bearcats Kids Zone in the Marge Schott Baseball Stadium. For complete information on these pre-game activities, log onto GoBEARCATS.com.
It's not too late to order season tickets, which ensure the best seat for every game of the home schedule, including the opener against Eastern Kentucky, Victory Bell game against () plus BIG EAST clashes with , , and . Visit the Athletics Ticket Office in the , open weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., call 1-877-CATS-TIX, or log on to GoBEARCATS.com for more information or to order now!