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NEWS
| february 13, 2004
Homecoming 2004
Come one, Come all
The athletics program sees Saturday’s
game as a potential recruiting device
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| The Shorthorn: Mark Roberts |
| Technical services manager Paul
Cathey fixes a light Thursday in Texas Hall.
Cathey and a small crew added and adjusted lights in preparation
for Saturday’s Homecoming games. The men’s
game is being televised on Fox Sports. |
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By Candace
Sweat
Contributor to The Shorthorn
A Southland Conference win is not the only goal for the university
as the men’s basketball team heads into its game against Stephen
F. Austin Saturday.
Campus organizations and students hope to use the home game, the
first to be regionally televised in 21 years, as a tool to promote
the university.
Athletics director Pete Carlon looks forward to the attention the
game will draw, specifically to the athletics program.
Carlon hopes the game, which will be broadcast over a five-state
region by Fox Sports Southwest, will be used for a recruitment device
for student athletes.
“I think the general public will agree that regional television
is dominated by pro sports, so any time we can get on, its a big
deal,” Carlon said. “The primary window through which
most of the public views into the university is the athletics program.”
Coach Eddie McCarter said the team has no worries about playing
in front of cameras but hopes student attendance will improve for
the same reasons Carlon has.
“To improve in basketball, we have to improve in recruitment,”
McCarter said. “The guys that we talk to will be watching
the game and the atmosphere and enthusiasm of the crowd.”
Kurt Kmak, athletic department director of marketing and promotions,
hopes a tailgate party with free food and entertainment will help
boost attendance. The party will start at 11 a.m. in the Texas Hall
parking lot.
The department will also award $250 to the student organization
with the highest attendance percentage for each game. Extra points
will be given to the teams that hang a spirit banner in Texas Hall
between 10:45 and 11 a.m. For the final twist: If it happens to
rain, the winning team will receive an extra $150 per game.
“An organization can receive up to $800 during this game,”
Kmak said.
Business management junior Carl Runner said food and prizes are
not alluring enough.
“I think the game will draw a bigger crowd, but it won’t
change my attitude toward attending,” he said. “I’ll
make it if I can.”
Runner just hopes the team plays well no matter the circumstance.
Music business sophomore Christine Bolling rarely attends ordinary
games but has plans to be at the game Saturday.
“This game was promoted, so I think a lot of people will show
up,” she said. “The only reason I think they wouldn’t
have a big turnout is because of Valentine’s Day.”
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Other events:
• Kickoff pep rally; noon today; Library mall
• Mavs will start at noon and the Lady Mavs
tip off at 4 p.m. Saturday. King, queen will be crowned
at halftime.
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