Mascot basketball game
Wichita State University
Shannon Lawellin, advertising and promotions coordinator

Who: This was an atmosphere promotion aimed at entertaining the audience at halftime of one of Wichita State's men's basketball games.

What: Several mascots from local businesses participated in this event. Wichita State made this a full-court game, but none of the usual NCAA basketball rules were enforced. The mascots were given full reign of the court.

When: The mascot basketball game was a halftime event, although the mascots were allowed to roam the concourse of the Kansas Coliseum before and during the game, meeting with the fans. The mascots were allowed to hand out fliers, business cards and other material that promoted their place of business.

How: Once the date for the promotion was set, a Wichita State marketing representative began calling local businesses to determine if their mascots would be available for the halftime basketball game. The marketing representative called only those businesses known to have mascots. Twelve businesses agreed to have their mascots in the game. The mascots, and one attendant per mascot, were given free tickets to the Wichita State men's basketball game. Advertising for the promotion was done via television and radio.

'70s Night with Red Raider Baseball
Texas Tech University
Jimmy Frush, coordinator of marketing and promotions

Who: All fans.

What: Prizes for the best-dressed fans, music trivia sheets, music loaded onto Game Ops computer and a premium giveaway item for the grand prize.

When: During a nonconference home baseball game.

Where: Texas Tech's baseball stadium.

How: The theme night consisted of a music trivia contest -- seven songs from the '70s -- and a costume contest for the best-dressed fans. Fans were able to pick up music trivia sheets at the stadium entrance and play along during the game for their chance at winning a Red Raider Computer. The sheets were collected after the bottom of the seventh inning, and the fan who correctly identified each song or artist won the computer. Marketing representatives awarded prizes to the best-dressed fans throughout the game.

Sweetheart Promotion
Ferris State University
Brian Kegler, assistant athletics director

Who: All couples age 18 and over.

What: Secure giveaway items from local businesses.

When: Hold the promotion throughout the night and announce winners during halftime or intermission during a random drawing.

Where: Any athletics event.

How: Local businesses were contacted and items were obtained for a "couple's night out." Items included a gift certificate to a local restaurant, a ride in a limousine to and from the restaurant, flowers from a local flower shop and a night's stay at a hotel. The prizes were promoted all week on the radio. Winners were drawn during an intermission and recognized over the public address system.

University of Massachusetts, Amherst
The Hangar Rubber Chicken Launch
Bill Lockey, assistant athletics director/marketing and promotions

Who: Students.

What: The promotion requires two teams of two, two laundry baskets, two slingshots and 16 rubber chickens.

When: The promotion was conducted during Midnight Madness, at halftime of basketball games and at intermission of ice hockey games.

How: On one end of the court, have two staff members hold a slingshot for each team (four staff members total). On the other end, have the other team members with a laundry basket waiting to catch their teammates' chickens. The teams take turn launching and catching their chickens. The team that catches the most chickens in its basket wins $50 to a local chicken-wing restaurant.

Attendance Promotion
University of Maryland, College Park
Jim Diercksen, Maryland Sports Marketing

Who: All Girl Scout troops.

What: Girl Scout troop days and nights.

Where: Women's basketball games.

How: All Girl Scout troops are offered a $2 group ticket rate and invited to attend women's basketball home games. In addition to the game, the girls are invited to a postgame autograph signing. Also, Maryland women's basketball Girl Scout patches are given away, cookies are included in a special in-game promotion and the colors are presented by the Girl Scout honor guard. The event is advertised in a Mosaic newsletter, and Girl Scout contacts also promote the event.