Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt's Monthly Comments

<< Kirby Hocutt >>

Column Archive   January 16, 2008 December 3, 2007 October 26, 2007 September 27, 2007 August 23, 2007 July 17, 2007 June 7, 2007 May 9, 2007 April 6, 2007 March 7, 2007 January 31, 2007 November 27, 2006 October 23, 2006 September 18, 2006 August 10, 2006 July 12, 2006 June 9, 2006 May 10, 2006 April 6, 2006 February 28, 2006 February 2, 2006 December 22, 2005 November 23, 2005 October 21, 2005

Email Kirby Hocutt

Name

Email

Location

Subject

Phone Number

Message:

Athletics Director Kirby Hocutt welcomes your comments and ideas. Your email will be read by Kirby and answered by either him or a member of the Ohio Athletics staff. Please include your name and hometown, and if you are a Bobcat let us know your class year. Thank you for your interest, your participation and your support of Bobcat Athletics.

July 17, 2007

Dear Bobcat Fans,

I hope this column finds each of you enjoying your summer. Every year following the Independence Day Holiday, I find myself looking forward to the fall and the beginning of a new academic and athletic year. This year is no exception. 2007-08 is going to be a great year for the Ohio Bobcats!

I appreciate those of you who have sent me an email with items you want me to write about in my column. I will use this opportunity to update you on some of your requested items and a few others:

Student-Athlete Academic Excellence:
Ohio's student-athletes once again excelled in the classroom and had an excellent Spring Quarter! During the spring quarter, 311 student-athletes achieved a 3.0 GPA or above and 176 achieved a 3.5 GPA or above. In addition, 117 student-athletes made the Dean's List. Ohio's student-athletes are tomorrow's leaders!

Geoff Carlston and Ohio Volleyball
I am excited to announce publicly for the first time that we have reached an agreement with Head Volleyball Coach, Geoff Carlston to extend his contract with Ohio through June, 2010. Coach Carlston has raised our volleyball program to an unprecedented level and we look forward to his continued leadership.

A few facts regarding Ohio Volleyball:

• Ohio has the nation's longest home winning streak. No current player on the roster has ever lost a match in the Convocation Center!

• Over the past four seasons, Ohio Volleyball is 75-1 in MAC play. No current player on the roster has lost a MAC volleyball match in their career.

• Ohio Volleyball remained in the AVCA Top 25 Coach's Poll for the entire 2006 season, a first ever for a MAC team!

The Ohio Bobcat Club:
I am excited to report that our second Ohio Bobcat Club campaign is off to a tremendous start! To date, 650 members have either renewed their membership or joined for the first time. This is a great beginning that has resulted in over $250,000 being raised in support of our student-athletes. We sincerely appreciate the generosity of those who have contributed and ask each of you who have not yet joined to consider supporting the team behind the Ohio Bobcats. There is tremendous strength in numbers and by working together we can provide each of our student-athletes the opportunity not only to receive a great education, but also compete for a Mid-American Conference Championship!

Season Football Ticket Sale Renewals:
The 2007 football season promises to be exciting and your Ohio Bobcats are working extremely hard this summer in preparation to defend their East Division championship. The Bobcat Nation is showing their excitement as well, as our season ticket sales are increased over this time last year. The Bobcat Family Package is again one of the most popular options as our sales pace has increased 84-percent in this category.

If you have not renewed your season tickets, please take a few minutes to do so! A ticket renewal reminder was mailed on July 5. If for some reason you have not received a reminder, please let us know by contacting the Ohio Athletic Ticket Office at (740) 593-1300 or (800) 575-CATS (2287). We need everyone to show their support for the Bobcats by packing Peden this season!

If you want to assist in enhancing the best home field advantage in the Mid-American Conference, please join us in the "60 Day Rush." Over the past two seasons we have witnessed a 90-percent increase in season tickets sold. To assist us in growing our season ticket base, please visit ohiobobcats.com and fill out the pledge form or call 740-597-1374 for more information.

Wrap up:
The 2006-07 academic year was one of the best in Ohio Athletics history. On behalf of our student-athletes, coaches and staff, thank you for your support of our athletics program. I truly believe that success breeds success and our student-athletes and coaches are extremely focused on building upon the success of last year. 2007-08 is going to be a great year for Ohio Athletics! If you have not already done so, please begin making plans now to come out and show your support for our extremely talented student-athletes by attending their games and matches!

I look forward to seeing you this fall!

Go Bobcats!
Kirby