Hot Dogs and Couch Potatoes

Jumbo Hot Dog night will return to the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum Jan. 23 to bring some much-needed attention to the men's and women's basketball teams as they take on Louisiana-Monroe in a doubleheader, along with several new activities for spectators, according to coliseum director Ed Chatal.

"It's (attendance has) been low, but it's been consistent with previous years," said Chatal. "We're doing this to offer SHSU students and the surrounding community a promotion to get people into the game-to help out with attendance."

Hot dogs will be sold for 25 cents each when the doors open to the women's game, which begins first at 5:30 p.m. The men's game will begin 30 minutes after the first game, at about 7:45 p.m.

There is a four hot dog per trip limit.

"That doesn't mean you can't get back in line and get four more," Chatal said. Chatal suggests students get to the game early, because hot dogs are only sold while supplies last.

"Seventeen out of the 20 times (there has been Jumbo Hot Dog night), we've sold out," he said. "So it's safe to say that we'll sell out."

As another incentive to attend the doubleheader, the Athletics Department is instituting the widely popular couch potato section for the first time at a basketball game, in the northwest corner of the coliseum.

"We are actually going to have some old couches on the floor," Chatal said, adding that he wasn't sure if there would be room for anyone to bring their own couches in."

Only about 30 students will actually be able to sit on the court, with the rest sitting in the stands above the area, according to assistant director of athletics John Lumley.

"They (the couch potatoes) will be sitting on the corner opposite the visiting bench-closer to the visiting bench than the home bench," Chatal said. "The fact that the opposing team will look across and see 75 to 100 students is kind of neat."

Above the couch potatoes will be the Bearkat band, which will return for the first time in a couple of years.

"We're setting it up so the seating area behind it (the section) will be part of the atmosphere," he said. "The whole end of the court, with the couch potatoes, crowd and band, will be one big, loud group."

There will be a mesh safety railing set up to divide the couch potatoes from the action on the court.

"Boundaries will be there," Chatal said. "It will be marked clearly."

Lumley said the rules for the basketball couch potato are be the same as with the football section and will be printed on the backs of the tickets.

"Things like the home team can be penalized for excessive behavior and basically just be a good potato," he said.

In addition, the university will have a free golf cart shuttle, beginning with the Jan. 23 game, to escort basketball fans who may have trouble getting around, have small children or are physically unable and are attending the game.

The carts will transport guest from the surrounding parking lots to the Coliseum ticket entrance, beginning at 5:30 p.m. until 30 minutes after the men's game, or 10:15 p.m.

Chatal said he hopes people will take advantage of the service.

"It's been a great success during Sam Houston and high school graduation ceremonies," he said "I don't know what we would do without it."

Along with the new programs that will be instituted, the men's team is currently 6-2 in Southland Conference standings and were chosen as the Southland Conference pre-season favorite, giving students another reason to attend the game.

Couch potato tickets can be picked up in the Student Activities Office, Lowman Student Center Room 328, until Thursday at noon.

General admission to the game is free for SHSU students, faculty and staff, with an ID. Ticket prices are $6 adults and $3 for 17 and under.

"The couch potatoes and 25 cent Jumbo Hot Dog Night have been the two most successful sports promotions we have had at Sam Houston State," said athletics director Bobby Williams. "With our basketball team off to such a great start, we're looking forward to bringing even more excitement to Johnson Coliseum to give our team a winning atmosphere."

A second hot dog night is planned for Feb. 13, as the Kats take on the Southwest Texas Bobcats, a game that will also be televised on Fox Southwest.

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SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt
Jan. 21, 2003
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