Around the Water Bowl -- Terrier Talk
Edition 207 – August 15, 2008
The online newsletter of Wofford Sports Marketing
Number of the Week – 632 (See Below)
FANFEST: Get geared up for the upcoming season at the "Terrier FanFest" this Thursday
The Wofford Athletic Department will host the second annual "Terrier FanFest" on Thursday, August 21. This free, open to the public, event will take place in the Verandah Lot adjacent to Gibbs Stadium beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Fans will have an opportunity to get a firsthand look at the Terrier football and men's soccer teams as they take to the practice fields in preparation for their respective season openers. The Wofford volleyball team will also be practicing inside the Benjamin Johnson Arena during the two-hour event.
In addition, everyone will be welcome inside the Richardson Physical Activities Building to take tours of the completely renovated facility. Inside the Verandah Room at 6:15 p.m. the marketing and promotions staff will officially unveil a new marketing campaign for the athletic department as well.
Light "tailgate" refreshments will be available for fans free of charge compliments of Aramark, Jimmy John's and Coca-Cola. Attendees may also take home schedule cards, posters, pom poms and football schedule magnets for fans to gear up for the fall sports season -- all free of charge.
Bring the kids and enjoy the football skills challenge and more at the Terrier FanFest
Tickets will be on-sale for the football home opener against Presbyterian and season ticket packages will be on-sale for football and volleyball. Fans will also have a chance to register to win a pair of tickets to a future football game along with other prize packages.
On the Verandah end zone hill overlooking Gibbs Stadium, kids will enjoy the Terrier Tumbler moonbounce, "the world's largest doghouse," and the football skills challenge, both found every home football Saturday in "TerrierLand" outside the stadium on Cummings Street. The Southern Conference will also have a display where fans can pick up various premium items and register to win special SoCon prize packages. Fans will have an opportunity to register to be a finalist to win the use of a Sonny's Camp-N-Travel RV for the Nov. 22 Furman game as well. One finalist will be selected from the FanFest and each home game through Nov. 8.
"We are very excited about the upcoming year and this will be a good opportunity for fans to come and enjoy a free night of family fun, check out the improvements to the Richardson Building and learn more about our plans to accelerate our marketing in the community," said assistant athletic director for marketing and promotions Lenny Mathis.
Last year, the Terrier FanFest was held on the lawn in front of the Spartanburg Marriott downtown. "The location change was tied to the Richardson Building improvements and the fact that we wanted to create a similar atmosphere to what fans are experiencing now at Carolina Panthers Training Camp," said Mathis.
For more information on the Terrier FanFest or to purchase season or group tickets for football, call (864) 597-4090.
Note: The Wofford women's soccer team will be on the road in preparation for the season opener August 22 at North Carolina State. The men's and women's cross country programs will report to campus the week of August 25.
FOOTBALL: Season tickets in the mail; Don' t wait, order yours today!
If you have not already ordered your season tickets for the 2008 Wofford football season, then now is the time!
Many season ticket holders will see packages in the mail the week of August 18. Be sure and get the seats you want for this year's exciting campaign by calling the Athletic Ticket Office at 864-597-4090. This also includes tickets for the road games at South Carolina and Appalachian State.
Order your tickets today!
BOSS' BUDDIES: Popular kids club program returns for 2008
Sign your child up now to be a member of Boss' Buddies, the official kids club of Wofford athletics. For only $30, your child recieves free admission to every home Wofford athletic event by using a new "club card", a special t-shirt, Terrier Towel other special incentives.
Click here for complete details on the Boss' Buddies Kids Club!
MEMORY LANE: South Carolina State Museum opens college football exhibit today
The South Carolina State Museum in Columbia opens a special exhibit on the history of college football in South Carolina today. The exhibit entitled "Mud, Sweat and Cheers: Football In The Palmetto State, 1889-2000" looks beyond the coaches and teams to the fans, bands, cheerleaders and boosters who are all part of the game of football.
The exhibit will make for a perfect side-stop during Terrier fans trip to Columbia for the September 20 football contest at South Carolina. The exhibit includes both high school and college football as well as South Carolina players who have gone on to the professional game. Wofford archivist Phillip Stone helped to give the exhibit a Wofford flair by loaning several items from the College including a framed victory pennant from the 1916 Wofford-Furman football game and film clips from the 1950 Cigar Bowl against Florida State.
The exhibit continues in the 401 Gallery through February 8, 2009 and you can learn more by clicking this link:
http://www.museum.state.sc.us/exhibits/football.aspx
SOCON NEWS: Save on your next hotel stay and help Wofford
Looking for a way to save on your hotel travel when you're following the Terriers?
Now you can save 15% off your room night AND have a 5% commission returned to Wofford! Check out the Choice Hotels Sports Desk at www.choicesportstravel.com. Log onto the site (or call 877-240-2929) and when you book 9 or fewer rooms simply enter the Wofford College Special Rate ID code and let the savings begin! The Wofford College code is 00222870. You MUST use the code to get the discount and for Wofford to recieve the commission. The program is valid nationwide and year-round.
Choice Hotels is an official hotel partner of the Southern Conference and has 10 "flags" or brands including Comfort Suites, Comfort Inn, Quality and Sleep Inn.
FALL SPORTS: Breaking down the volleyball, cross country and soccer schedules
Schedules for all the fall sports have now been released. Here's a quick look at some of the highlights for each sport:
Volleyball: The Terriers will compete in three tournaments in the early-season (one hosted by USC Upstate) and will open the home schedule inside the Benjamin Johnson Arena September 3 for a non-conference match with Southern Wesleyan. The 3rd Annual Girl Scout Sports Day at Wofford is September 27 (vs. The Citadel) and the Terriers host rival Furman on October 22.
Men's Soccer: The men's soccer team opens its first season under new coach Ralph Polson at Presbyterian (where he served as head coach for 17 years) on August 29. The first home match will be against ETSU August 31st. The Terriers will host the Wofford/Nike Soccer Classic September 19 and 21 featuring Furman, Georgia State and USC Upstate. The Clemson Tigers visit Snyder Field on October 14 for a 6:00pm kickoff. The Terriers will host 8 home matches this year.
Women's Soccer: Coach Amy Kiah will begin her 10th season at the helm of the women's soccer team with a road match at ACC-member North Carolina State on August 22nd. The Terriers will host a tournament featuring Kennesaw State, Furman, Presbyterian September 12 and 14. The ladies will wrap up the year hosting Furman on October 30. In all, there will be 9 home women's matches this season beginning September 5th against South Carolina State.
Cross Country: New head coach Bryan Jackson will have the Terriers competing in five meets including the season opener right here in Spartanburg - the annual Eye Opener at Milliken Park. The longest trip will take the team to Louisville, Ky. this season for the Greater Louisville Classic. Highlighting the season will be the Southern Conference Championship - an event Wofford will host at Milliken Park on November 1.
For complete details on each sport, log onto athletics.wofford.edu.
Brandon Waring continues hitting the long ball at Class-A Dayton
DOWN ON THE FARM: Updates on Waring and Vartanian
Time now to check in on our two Terriers in the minor leagues. Stats for Brandon Waring and Charles Vartanian are via
www.milb.com through August 14.
Brandon Waring (Class-A Midwest League, Dayton Dragons, Cincinnati Reds)
In 380 at bats, Waring continues to have a strong year, with 17 homeruns and 59 RBI. Currently 4th in the Midwest League in homers, Waring is batting .271 for the season. More impressive are the number of people that have seen him play...the Dragons through 60 home games are averaging 8,655 fans. That's about 7,200 fewer fans per game than the Florida Marlins. Or, to look at it another way, the Dragons draw more fans than all but 4 other minor league teams...those other 4 are at Triple-A.
Charles Vartanian (Advanced Rookie, Williamsport Crosscutters, Phillies)
Charles has appeared in 8 games in Williamsport after being called up from the Gulf Coast League. In 12 innings, he has an 0-1 record, 10 strikeouts, one save and a 5.25 ERA.
The Dragons regular season ends Sept. 1 while the Crosscutters play until Sept. 6.
Number of the Week
632 - The number of Wofford football equipment boxes of all shape and size moved from Andrews Field House back to the Richardson Building at the conclusion of Carolina Panthers Training Camp this week. The Panthers completed their 14th Training Camp at Wofford on Wednesday morning.
Contact Wofford Athletics
(864) 597-4090 – Athletic Ticket Office
(864) 597-4496 - Terrier Club
(864) 597-4110 - Wofford Sports Marketing, Director, Lenny Mathis
(864) 597-4023 - Wofford Sports Marketing, Assistant, Lisa Cherry
(864) 597-4090 - Wofford Sports Properties, Account Executive, Adam Smith
“Around the Water Bowl – Terrier Talk” is a service of Wofford Sports Marketing.
For questions or more information about this newsletter, call (864) 597-4110 or send an e-mail to mathisld@wofford.edu.