Looking for fan involvement at the Road to Eugene '08 meet

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.registerguard.com/news/2006/ ... ion=sports

Looking for fan involvement
By Curtis Anderson
The Register-Guard
Published: Thursday, July 20, 2006
Would you like to be the personal cheerleader for shot putter Adam Nelson?
How about a ringside seat to the final dramatic jumps of the pole vault? Or what about a chance to win a prize if a thrower hits one of several designated targets in the discus competition?
These and other innovative ideas are currently being discussed by local and national officials in charge of staging the Road to Eugene '08 track and field meet at Hayward Field on Aug. 8.
"We want to identify, on an event-by-event basis, how we can present the (meet) with an aim toward doing it differently than has been done in the past," said Craig Masback, the CEO of USA Track & Field.
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"We're starting with a blank slate."
Much of the debate is focused on how to enhance the individual spectator's experience through greater interaction between athletes and fans.
Thus, the idea of randomly choosing people in the stands to come down and sit next to the shot put circle, have them don a T-shirt with a competitor's name and number, and become a cheerleader for those athletes.
A similar format was tried with great success at the Millrose Games in New York.
"The athletes thought it was awesome," said Adam Schmenk, USATF events coordinator. "They enjoyed having people close to them, and the interaction after each throw proved to be much better than we imagined."
The same approach is being considered for the final few jumps in the pole vault, while the concept of using youngsters in oversized T-shirts as markers for each athlete in the long jump - rearranging the lineup after each round to let fans know who's winning - was also on the table.
The ability to win prizes for hitting targets in the landing area of the discus and using a speed gun during the 100 meters to provide a fun comparison are also being discussed, although no decisions have been made.
The meet, which has already attracted elite U.S. fields in several events, will begin at 6:30 p.m. The complete schedule has not yet been decided, although officials hope to squeeze most of the action into a two-hour window.
There will be a live Webcast available worldwide on ESPN 360 and a tape-delayed broadcast on cable television's ESPN2 four days later. Both shows will be produced by Chambers Communications Corp. of Eugene.
"The Webcast will be aired without any breaks," said KEZI sports director Joe Giansante. "What you see on ESPN 360 is not what you will see on ESPN2, but it's another avenue to get the event out to people."
The Road to Eugene '08 meet will definitely have a different look.

For one thing, a portable videoboard, with an LED screen measuring 17 feet by 23 feet and mounted atop a truck, has been reserved by UO officials. The plan calls for it to be placed at the south end of the track.
There is also talk of pre-recorded messages at the entrance gates, welcoming fans as they file into the stadium, and thanking them for their attendance as they exit, with added information on what will be happening at Hayward Field over the months leading up to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials. This concept could be expanded to include personal greetings from athletes.
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"That would make people more aware that this track meet is unique," said Scott Chambers, president of Chambers Communications.
The details on the meet's opening ceremonies are still being ironed out.
They probably will involve the introduction of the entire U.S. junior team - led by Oregon's Rebekah Noble and A.J. Acosta - with a parade of athletes around the track. At the same time, there was talk that a choreographed entrance of the meet's other athletes coming out from the West Grandstands would be a dramatic touch.
On-field interviews with athletes who will compete against one another later in the evening are being discussed, along with the use of personalized music for introductions of competitors in selected events.
"The key is to execute what we have," Masback said. "Once we decide, we can spread the word and get people excited."
Tickets for the Road to Eugene '08 meet are $15 for reserved seating and $10 for general admission. They are available at the Casanova Center ticket office, online at www.goducks.com or by phoning 1-800-WEBFOOT.

[master]

Boy do I wish I was going to be home for this meet. Unfortunately, I won't be back from Masters Nationals in time.

- master