Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt's Monthly Comments

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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.

April 6, 2006

Dear Bobcat Fans,

I would be remiss if I did not begin this column by recognizing the tremendous academic success achieved by so many of our student-athletes during the winter quarter. A total of 216 Bobcat student-athletes achieved a GPA over 3.0, and half of those students achieved a GPA above 3.5! This outstanding achievement demonstrates the ongoing commitment to academic excellence that has become synonymous with Ohio Athletics. I congratulate each of our student-athletes on their success in the classroom.

I appreciate all of you who have waited very patiently for our 2006 football schedule to be announced. For the past few years, the football schedule has been released in April. An earlier release date would be more ideal and hopefully this postponement will be corrected in the near future. In addition to adding Temple University to the conference, the most significant reason for the football schedule delay is the new compressed football calendar (13 weeks rather than 14, playing 12 games). I am currently working on the non-conference pieces for 2007 and 2008 and am confident we can announce these game agreements by the end of the 2006 season.

Keep an eye on your mailbox the week of May 15 for football ticket renewals. Many of the most desirable seating areas were sold out after last year's record-setting home opener. So, whether you are renewing your seats from the previous season, or becoming a new season ticket holder, be sure to secure your place early at Peden Stadium!

Spring football is upon us and never before has the Green & White Game been like the one we have planned for you this year. On April 22, in conjunction with the Department of Athletics, the Ohio University Sports Administration Program has organized a day-long event, surrounding the spring game. Peden Stadium will host the Student Organization Flag Football Championship game, followed by a 5K Run. Tail-Great Park will feature live music and plenty of activities for the whole family. The Green and White Game will kick-off at 2 p.m., with a sports memorabilia auction at halftime. After the game, there will be an autograph session and on-field games for the kids. For more information on the Bobcat Blitz, please visit: www.bobcatblitz.com

I have been inspired over the past few weeks by the way in which our women's basketball team has handled the transitional period as we work to identify the right individual to lead their program. We have an extremely talented group of young women who have embraced this change. I look forward to watching them flourish and experience success in the upcoming seasons.

While I was disappointed we did not get to stay longer, I was extremely impressed with the atmosphere and events surrounding the MAC basketball tournament in Cleveland at Quicken Loans Arena. This is a big-time event and if you have not yet had a chance to experience it, I hope you will be able to in the future. In case you missed the announcement during the tournament, it was released that beginning with the 2006-2007 basketball season all 12 men's and women's conference teams will advance to Cleveland. While this eliminates the first-round campus games, it does provide a tremendous opportunity for all student-athletes to experience the great tournament atmosphere created by playing in one of the NBA's finest facilities.

I look forward to seeing you at Peden Stadium on April 22 for the Green & White Game. On behalf of our student-athletes, coaches and staff, thank you for your continued support of Ohio Athletics.

Go Bobcats!
Kirby