Staff Photo by Tim Barber/Chattanooga Times Free Press – Feb 21, 2011 – Dr. Frederick O’Bear, former chancellor of University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, cheers on the Mocs Monday night at McKenzie Arena. A crowd of over 5,000 watched the Mocs lead the Paladins from start to finish.The “Black-Out” turned out like hitting blackjack.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga athletic department scrambled in less than a week to pull together a “Black-Out” promotion that resulted in the largest crowd of the last two seasons in the stands and perhaps helped propel the Mocs to a 75-59 win over Furman on Monday night.
“I think it worked out well. It had the intended effect. Our marketing staff gets the credit,” athletic director Rick Hart said. “People are talking about it today in the community and on campus, and maybe it impacted the game.
“Success. It was a success.”
Fans arrived early with the promise of free T-shirts to the first 3,000 in attendance and a voucher for a Coca-Cola product, popcorn and a hot dog on the house to all guests.