When Flyer freshmen Devin Oliver and Brandon Spearman walked up to Anthony Triola’s residence to deliver season tickets, they were amazed by all of the loud music.
As soon as Triola saw the two Flyers walking toward his house, he started his car and cranked up the UD Fight Song on his stereo. Dressed in all Flyer attire, Triola knew this was a special day.
“I had just gotten out of the hospital over the weekend and I figured something like this would come up after my wife got a call about our tickets,” Triola said. “I live and die by UD Basketball. This is just tremendous.”
As a show of their appreciation for tremendous fan support, players and coaches from the men’s basketball team once again hand-delivered season tickets to season ticket-holders throughout the Miami Valley on Monday night.
“This is a new tradition and since we started doing it, it’s been enjoyable to meet some of our fans and thank them personally,” said UD Head Coach Brian Gregory. “It’s nice to give back and show them we really appreciate their support.”
It is always an exciting time for season ticket holders to find an envelope from the Dayton Flyers in their mailbox. Opening a fresh stack of tickets is the first sign basketball season is here.
This was the third consecutive year that Flyers’ players and coaches delivered season tickets. Ticket holders located in the 100, 200, 300 and 400 levels were selected randomly from the Flyers’ season ticket base.
The Dayton players, coaches and administrators each took a few minutes to talk with fans about the upcoming season while taking photos with fans and signing a couple of autographs.
As Josh Benson and Juwan Staten presented tickets to Eric Krissek, they were gifted with the opportunity to relive last year’s National Invitational Tournament run in a collage located on his living room wall.
The living room, which could have been mistaken as Flyer Central, was draped with UD paraphernalia. From homemade pillows to the university flag, there was no mistaking who Krissek supported.
From Devin Searcy lifting a child up for a dunk, to meeting up with a season ticket holder of 50 years for the first time, it was just one of many memorable moments in the night.
“We are so grateful for the Flyer Faithful and we are really looking forward to this season with them,” junior Josh Parker said.
Although they will not be hand delivered by a member of the team, tickets are on sale now for the 2010-11 Dayton Flyer Basketball season. Purchase tickets online at DaytonFlyers.com, stop by the UD Ticket Office or call (937) 229-4433 to purchase seats.
“I can’t wait to see our fans come out and support us,” Spearman said. “I can’t wait to take the court.”
