Football Fans are coming to town
12/15/2011 6:56:00 AM | Football
People around here would be hard pressed to try and remember the last time the entire community has come together like it has recently as excitement continues to swell around the Sam Houston State football program.
The top-ranked Bearkats are the hottest team in the country, riding a perfect 13-0 record into Friday's Football Championship Subdivision semifinal playoff game against the Montana Grizzlies. Sam Houston pride is at an all time high, as students, facility, alumni and local residents are proudly sporting their Bearkat gear around Huntsville.
But there is more to the impact of the Kats' success this season than just wins piling up on the field and trophies being added to the case. The city is also benefiting from the money pouring in as Sam Houston and opposing fans converge on the area with each passing playoff game.
"The success of the Bearkats is not only good for the university, but it is good for our city," Huntsville City Manager Bill Baine said. "It is about recognition. People are seeing Sam Houston State all over the place. One of the things that benefits our city is our growing university. That brings more people to town who are buying stuff in our shops, eating in our restaurants and sleeping in the hotels."
Exact figures as to how Sam Houston's success on the field translates into revenue for the town are not available at this time, but the benefits can been seen in local businesses and restaurants, which boast Bearkat pride with signs in windows and on marquees, before and after games.
The Bearkats have hosted two playoff games already, holding on for thrilling 34-27 victory over Stoney Brook and demolishing Montana State 49-13 last weekend. The attendance numbers for those two games combined have been close to 19,000.
And those people need somewhere to stay and a place to eat.
"Right now, I'm sitting at full on both my hotels," said Karen Fletcher Adams, area operations manager for Holiday Inn Express and Best Western. "We are seeing people come for the games. We had 35 rooms last weekend for a booster group from Montana State at Holiday Inn and 20 more at Best Western. We are tracking those numbers for sure."
The Bearkats are not stranger to the playoffs. Sam Houston hosted games in 2001 and 2004, but this time things are different.
During those seasons, the school only had the opportunity to host one playoff game. This year, the Bearkats earned the No. 1 overall seed, which paved the way for the road to the national championship game to have to go through Huntsville as long as the team kept winning.
With last week's win over Montana State, Sam Houston did its part by ensuring the maximum amount of playoff games possible would be played in Huntsville and boost the local economy.
"I don't recall there being this type of turnout then, but that was seven to 10 years ago," said Kerry Murray, who has owned Murski's Icehouse in Huntsville since August of 1993. "The difference is that this time around the Bearkats are ranked No. 1 and got the top seed. Everything got off on the right foot and that caught the attention of the fans earlier."
Murray is one of the many local business owners who has taken advantage of the situation. When it was released that Sam Houston would be playing Montana State last Saturday at 11 a.m., he opened the doors to his bar and restaurant at 8 a.m., three hours earlier than normal, to cater to fans wanting to get a jump start on the day's festivities before heading over to Bowers Stadium.
"I decided to offer some breakfast items," Murray said. "I did a lot of business that I normally wouldn't get because of that. I have seen probably 3 1/2 to four times an increase in gross sales since the playoffs have been here. We are seeing a lot of Bearkat alumni come in that used to hang out here during their college days."
Sam Houston also does not want people to forget how much having fans pack the stands has helped the university. Bearkats head coach Willie Fritz and athletic director Bobby Williams have been quick to point out how the stadium noise has been a factor in the team's play on the field.
And just like local businesses, the athletic department is seeing benefits on the financial end as well.
"Even though we have not come up with the official money count yet, this is the largest revenue we have ever had," said Paul Ridings Jr., SHSU sports information director. "With the volume of fans and money coming in from businesses in Huntsville and Conroe, we have even been able to offer student tickets at a discount. Since it is an NCAA event, we can't let them in for free like we normally do, but we were able to cut the price from $10 down to $5.
"Our department, coaches and players are really excited about how the fans and community have rallied behind the team."
The Bearkat football team believes the crowds have played a big role in their success.
"We've had just sensational crowds," head coach Willie Fritz said. "I was really excited about our crowds, how loud they are, particularly in the fourth quarter. We have a home field advantage now. I'm hoping to get everybody back and have it even better this week. The atmosphere is great. The two years I've been here as a head coach and my previous stints as an assistant coach and graduate assistant, I don't remember anything like this."
General admission tickets priced at $15 each are on sale now online at www.gobearkats.com or at the SHSU athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium.
Sam Houston State students may purchase game tickets at the discounted price of $5 thanks to the contributions of local Huntsville and Conroe area businesses. SHSU student tickets will be on sale in the Lowman Student Center mall area through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Student tickets also are available at the Field House ticket office.
Fans who have pre-purchased tickets are urged to pick up those tickets (and parking passes if applicable) early. A special Will Call window will be open from 12 noon to 6 p.m. at the Bowers Stadium West Side ticket office (located beneath in the press box facing campus) Wednesday and Thursday.
• Pre-purchased ticket Will Call Pickup Information
With Sam Houston commencement at 6:30 p.m. and the football game at 7 p.m. Friday, special parking areas for each event have been designated.
• Commencement/Football Game Parking information
For more information, please call the SHSU athletic ticket office at (936) 294-1729 or visit the athletic web site at www.gobearkats.com .
For great Bearkat Gear "Undefeated Southland Champions" Christmas ideas, go to BearkatGear.com
