For the University of Tulsa’s home opener against Northern Illinois on Saturday evening, the school is introducing a number of fun new details to enhance the spectator experience.
Kickoff isn’t until 6:00 p.m., but the festivities will begin at 1:00 p.m. with tailgating at Chapman Commons.
Several changes have been made to the tailgating experience, which Jason Malay, associate athletic director for revenue generation and fan engagement, detailed during a presentation with athletic director Rick Dickson on Dec. 24. August
“It’s not going to be anything like the past,” Malay said of the scene at Chapman Commons. “Instead of having a bunch of different tents sectioned off where you have to be part of a certain group to get in, this year we’ll have a giant tent in the middle that houses the Alumni and Champions Fund. Everyone is welcome, there will be free food and drink, it will be a great experience.
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“Also this year, you can drop off a tent and tailgate at Chapman Commons for free, everyone is welcome. Just tell us you’re coming and we’ll make a spot for you. We really want to have an inclusive tailgate, which feel like Tulsa, bring everyone together and have a great time.”
Other fun attractions for fans will be available elsewhere in Chapman Commons, with inflatables and a bungee track, as well as rock climbing, an ax throwing station and a cornhole tournament for those who register in advance. A 9-foot by 16-foot TV will show the day’s game.
At 2 p.m., a concert begins with the Brad Duvall Band playing the Chapman Commons stage, followed by country music star David Nail, who has two No. 1 hits on the country charts, at 3 p.m.: 30 h.
This year will see the return of the “team walk” that will see players proceed from the front of Chapman Commons down Eighth Street and into the stadium to their locker room, beginning at approximately 3:45 p.m. The Golden Hurricane had stopped this tradition in the past. two seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
And this Saturday is “Fan Appreciation Day,” so the first 5,000 fans through the doors will receive a free Tulsa T-shirt. At the concession stands, $1 hot dogs, sodas and popcorn will be available throughout the game.
Inside the stadium gates on the southwest side of the stadium in Thomas Plaza, a new quarter-size replica of the stadium field has been built and there will be bounce houses nearby .
“It’s going to have an area for parents to sit and watch their kids and really just a place for the game day activation center, so some games we’ll have a band to go with them, some games we’ll have face painters and other things,” Malay said. “We’ll still have bounce houses next door. I don’t know of any other stadium in the country that has a replica soccer field inside.”
TU has also made significant improvements to the student experience.
“This year we’re going to do our best to try to get as many students as we can in the game,” Malay said. “We’ve moved the student section to sections 102, 103. Back there, we’ll have a student-only tent. It will have a Cool Zone, they will have their own concessions. They’re going to have giveaways, a TV, cocktail tables, a few other things in there that will just let them hang out before the game and at halftime, so they stay. On top of that, we’ve added some cool stuff like a Gatling Cannon t-shirt and free giveaways at every match.”
In general, the music on game day will sound a little different.
“We are consulting with the Dallas Cowboys DJ (DJSC), who is training our staff and our DJ for the game,” Malay said. “He’s also developed his own software that comes with the music package that can upload songs to us and keeps us on top of everything. He’s really helping us get the music, the sound effects, all that stuff up to par. .
“We have also hired a new MC who is local and I think he will bring a lot of fun to the games. And then pyrotechnics and fireworks after the game. If it’s a night game, we’ll have fireworks after the game, but every game we’ll have fireworks, kickoffs, touchdowns, a lot of things, so it’s going to be completely different. show.”
Another positive change this year will be additional on-campus parking spaces available for spectators, as well as free parking on the north side of campus off East Fourth Place and Harvard Avenue. A free shuttle service will be available to take fans from the lot to the stadium.
“With that, we have 1,134 donor spaces and fan parking that weren’t necessarily designated for that before,” Malay said. “I think this will really add to the fan experience, give people an opportunity to go to the game, park, take a ride to Chapman Commons, have fun and then come into the game and really enjoy it.”
Even manager Philip Montgomery is excited about the changes, hoping to have a full house to cheer his team on.
“I think it’s absolutely fantastic,” Montgomery said. “There’s a lot going on, even from a tailgate standpoint. Most of it is free, so I think it’s going to be a great, family-friendly environment. I think you’re going to have a great time when you come.
“We’re going to play some exciting football, give you something to get up and cheer for and hopefully have a big crowd.”
