TOWSON, MD – Towson University Athletics has long battled the fact that both basketball teams start Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play during the month of January while almost all of the student population is home and the campus is completing its minimester.
 
Armed with fan-friendly concessions pricing, thanks to its new vendor Aramark, and an array for discounted ticket options, the athletics department vowed to make sure its early season basketball home games featured better crowds. The key? Building strong community relationships with local schools and youth organizations and a commitment to getting those young people exposed to Towson Athletics.
 
"Before I even got to campus, the fans I spoke to said time and time again that one of the keys to making our athletics department better is developing stronger connections to the surrounding neighborhoods," said Towson Director of Athletics Steve Eigenbrot. "I am really proud that our team was able to take some massive steps in this area but am sincerely grateful for the leadership of the Rodgers Forge and West Towson for promoting our efforts and making these days special for their schools."
 
Eigenbrot and Rodgers Forge Elementary School principal Michele Rowland created a partnership where students who achieved 95 percent or higher attendance this school year were eligible for complimentary tickets to the men's basketball game on December 30 game.
 
Nearly 500 students, teachers and families attended the Tigers game versus Arcadia that afternoon, helping make a game versus a Division III opponent over holiday break the second largest home crowd of the season at 2,624. The school's teacher of the year, Bev Celenza, was recognized on-court and the school's cheerleading program performed with Towson's squad. The response was so positive that more than 200 returned last Thursday as a season-high 2,804 watched Pat Skerry's squad defeat Drexel to improve to 9-0 at home this season.
 
"Both schools benefitted. Our kids really enjoyed the opportunity to be highlighted," Rowland said. "The timing worked for us because it was at the end of break and kids were excited to see each other. I feel like the stars aligned in terms of the timing of the event. It gave us the opportunity to promote our school goals of attendance. It was neat for our teacher of the year candidate to be celebrated and having our cheerleading club perform. We are an AVID school (Advancement Via Individual Determination), which is a college and career readiness program to help kids be successful in life. It was great to have them see this is what college is like."
 
When the Tigers welcomed Campbell on January 20, at the same time the Baltimore Ravens hosted Houston in the NFL playoffs, the athletics department teamed up with West Towson Elementary with a similar program. Over 250 tickets were used by students who have reached the attendance figure and the teacher of the year was recognized during the game.
 
"They day that we handed out the tickets, there was a buzz in the building. Students could not wait to go," said Jason Barnett, West Towson principal. "We felt it was a really exciting opportunity. Our school already partners with Towson from the professional development school side with student interns, so this was another way to connect, not just bringing their students to us, but getting our students on campus. It was neat for our staff, students and families to be in a different location. A lot of our students participated in the on-court games, which made it a lot of fun. Our families got treated to a really nice event. We had a great time and are looking forward to coming back for a lacrosse game this spring."
 
Under the same guidelines, students from Stoneleigh Elementary, Padonia International Elementary and Dumbarton Middle schools will be attending the final men's home game of the season versus the College of Charleston on February 24.
 
"We appreciate the efforts of everyone from our athletics department and the people in the community," Skerry said. "It has absolutely made a difference. We love the juice that the kids bring. The players love it. We can hear them in the stands. It makes a difference."
 
On the women's side, nearly 2,000 students from 23 elementary and middle schools in Baltimore City and Baltimore County attended the 10^th annual STEM field trip game when Laura Harper's team hosted George Washington on Dec. 6. The athletic department teamed up with the University's Fisher College of Science & Mathematics program to provide pre-game STEM activities and a STEM workbook for the students.
 
"It's really inspiring to see these responses from our incredible community partners," Eigenbrot added. "Their presence makes a difference as they bring incredible energy to the crowd. Welcoming the young people in our community to campus and exposing them to higher education and Towson University is something this department is committed to and we are extremely thankful for these community partners that have wrapped their arms around the chance to work together."
 
In addition, a local girl scouts troupe tabled on the concourse January 21 and several local sports teams will be attending this Sunday's National Women in Sports Day versus the College of Charleston, including a group from Hampton Elementary.