BY TOM GROESCHEN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A 1997 bowl appearance has translated to higher season-ticket sales for University of Cincinnati football, but it is not clear whether attendance will spike up significantly.
"One goal is to be better than what it was," UC Athletic Director Bob Goin said. "But just how attendance will be affected, I don't have anything to measure that against."
Paul Klaczak, a UC associate athletic director, said that about 9,700 season tickets have been purchased and that the number could reach 10,000. Last year, just over 8,000 were sold.
UC averaged 20,134 fans per game last year at its campus home, Nippert Stadium. The stadium has never sold out since it was expanded to 35,000 seats in 1992, with the 1996 Miami RedHawks game holding the record at 30,887.
Visits by Miami and Kentucky in 1996 helped UC draw a record average of 24,256 per home game, but attendance dipped last year despite a better won-lost record. Lack of glamour opponents plus some bad-weather days hurt, with Southern Mississippi (23,799) bringing the largest crowd.
This year the opener is vs. Tulane on Saturday (7 p.m.). Informed fans know the Green Wave went 7-4 last year and is a strong Conference USA contender, but Tulane is not a name that packs stadiums. UC officials hope for a 20,000-plus crowd, which would be a coup on the busy Labor Day weekend.
UC comes off its first bowl appearance in 47 years but faces a loaded deck in its hometown. The Reds, Bengals, college basketball and prep sports command the lion's share of media and fan attention, and the Bearcats are surrounded by No. 1-ranked Ohio State to the north and Tim Couch's Kentucky to the south.
Goin once had it the other way around. As Florida State athletic director (1989-94), his Seminoles ruled Tallahassee. But he knows what UC is up against here.
"We have to win games," he said. "One (bowl) game does not make a program, but I think there has been more enthusiasm and a lot more interest in what's going on."
UC players hope so.
"We play a lot better when the stands are full," said senior safety Tinker Keck. "If nobody's there, it's just like another practice. We've got to perform first of all, but we've also got to have people out there to see us."
Senior guard Vince Byrd said UC has earned its keep, with three straight winning seasons.
"When I first came here, UC football was unheard of," the Kansas native said. "It does feel good to be known now, since we've won a bowl game. We've got a sense of pride, and I think the fans do now, too."
There are some drawing cards on the '98 schedule. The Miami Hurricanes visit Sept. 12, but it is the Indiana game (Sept. 26) that is drawing the most ticket attention. A rare visit by the Hoosiers has brought out corporate support, and it is believed the crowd could top 30,000. The rival Miami RedHawks also visit (Oct. 24), and that one could also push 30,000 if both teams are having good seasons.
CAPTAINS NAMED:
UC has named quarterback Chad Plummer, left tackle Brian Uhl, defensive tackle Kevin Ward, and safety Tinker Keck as 1998 captains.
LOCALS STEP UP:
Cincinnati-area products scheduled to start for UC are left tackle Brian Uhl (CAPE), center Doug Rosfeld (Moeller), linebacker DeJuan Gossett (Wyoming), placekicker Joe Judge (Badin) and punter Adam Wulfeck (Beechwood). Cornerback Freddy Smith (Princeton) also should play a lot.
Coach Rick Minter said several local freshmen are working into the mix. Offensive linemen Andy Weinheimer (Loveland) and Kirt Doolin (Covington Catholic) and defensive lineman Ben Piening (Moeller) could become key backups this year, Minter said.
THEY'RE BACK:
Officials from the Humanitarian Bowl, which UC won last December in Boise, Idaho, will stage another presentation of the 1997 trophy in pregame ceremonies Saturday night.
"It's for our fans who couldn't get to the bowl game," Minter said.
