Bring the Bell home: RedHawks need you in Cincinnati

Few things in sports are worse than empty stadiums, even venues with a lot of fans rooting for the other team. Students should travel to pack TQL stadium for the Battle of the Victory Bell.

On Sept. 19, the Miami University RedHawks (1-1) will face the University of Cincinnati Bearcats (2-0) for the Battle of the Victory Bell at Cincinnati’s TQL stadium, home of FC Cincinnati. This will be the first college football game played at TQL stadium. Missing this game is missing history.

As a result of a scheduling gap last year, the teams did not meet. However, the rivalry is back in full force this year for the last time. Now is the perfect time for students to witness the rivalry for themselves. What better way to experience it than in person cheering on the Redhawks in Cincinnati?

Junior business analytics major Billy Bremyer is happy to have the rivalry back on the schedule.

“I was disappointed when they were not on the schedule last year, because they are one of the easier teams to beat outside of our conference, and a win over them would look great,” Bremyer said.

Ian Dow, a senior finance and accountancy major, is confident in his prediction that Miami will bring home The Bell. He thinks the team has what it takes this year.

“I think Miami is going to win 28-10; they’ve been looking good,” Dow said.

A lively atmosphere can make or break a game. Eliza Kammann, rifle manager of the Miami University Color Guard, has first-hand experience after attending football games for the past two years.

“When there are a lot of people there the players are way more confident, I’ve seen them do backflips to get [the crowds] attention after a good play,” Kammann said.

The players are less likely to show off for the crowd if there is no crowd to show off to. Kammann said the players’ attitudes are noticeably different when there are larger crowds. She believes they have a better mindset throughout the game through the way they carry themselves and how they engage with the crowd.

“As far as morale, it’s way harder to get hype if not many people are there,” Kammann said.

This goes for both the team and the band. Large attended crowds hype up the band so the band can hype up the team.

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Since the TQL stadium is in Cincinnati, the Bearcats have a geographical advantage, but RedHawk fans in attendance can still create a home-team advantage on neutral ground.

In addition to creating a winning atmosphere, attending the game will bring opportunities for tailgating, hanging out with friends and exploring Cincinnati. At the game itself, the marketing teams work hard to design fan engagement activities like in-game contests, free T-shirts and raffles.

Miami students have recorded record highs in the past, the most recent being our last meet against Cincinnati. 8,469 Miami students were in attendance out of a total 24,717 fans.

Surprise appearances are a possibility as well. During the previous basketball season, then Cleveland Browns defensive end, Myles Garrett attended a game. His assistant, Shey Olaoshebikan, is a Miami alum creating a connection to the team. Garrett brought a professional camera, contributed to in-game pictures and hung out with the team in the locker room after the game.

“I think this will be a closer game, I am excited to see,” Bremyer said.

The Oxford bubble can feel small sometimes, but this game provides an opportunity for students to grab their friends and head down to Cincinnati to cheer on the RedHawks.

fleisczm@miamioh.edu