Aug. 26, 2008

Anxious to get your first look at the five new players for the University of Dayton men's basketball? Can't wait to get back to UD Arena? Have you ever wanted to be cast in a television commercial?

Head coach Brian Gregory and the Dayton Flyers can help you with all three.

The Flyer men's basketball team and the UD marketing staff invites the Flyer Faithful to participate in the filming of two men's basketball commercials. The taping will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at UD Arena.

Admission and parking are free for all in attendance. Doors will open at 6 p.m. ET.

All fans in attendance will be seen in the crowd shots, but those who want to be involved the close-ups can register before the taping on the signup sheets located in the UD Arena concourse. Fans will be selected for the commercial 15 minutes prior to filming.

Following the commercial filming, the Flyer men's basketball players will then mingle with those in attendance signing autographs, posing for photos and talking UD basketball. Refreshments will be available to everyone attending, and the concession stands will also be open. Dayton Flyer merchandise will also be sold during the taping.

The UD Ticket Office will also be open selling single-game, mini-packs and Atlantic 10 packages to the public.

It will also be the first look for Flyer fans to see the 2008-09 Flyers, led by returning starters Chris Wright, Marcus Johnson and Kurt Huelsman, senior Charles Little and the rest of the team in advance of the annual Red & Blue scrimmage game on Saturday, Oct 25.

The new advertising campaign, featuring television and online spots, will soon be launched to promote the 2008-09 UD men's basketball team. The spots will directly showcase UD players, coaches, pep band members, cheerleaders and selected fans, and are designed to ratchet up enthusiasm and increase ticket sales for the upcoming season.

Fan attendance will be necessary to create a game-like atmosphere at UD Arena. Seating is open on a first-come, first-serve basis with the 100 and 200 levels available.

Last year the University of Dayton Division of Athletics won the gold medal at the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA) for the best television commercial.

Dayton opens the regular season at home on Sunday, Nov. 16 against the Wofford Terriers. The Flyers two exhibition games are on Thursday, Nov. 6 against Capital, and on Tuesday, Nov. 11 against Gannon.

Dayton was 23-11 in 2007-08, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NIT, losing to eventual champion Ohio State in Columbus. The Flyers graduated All-Atlantic 10 guard Brian Roberts, but return their next three scorers and top three rebounders - forward Chris Wright (10.4, 5.7), guard Marcus Johnson (10.1, 5.1) and forward Charles Little (8.0, 4.6). Wright was named to the A-10 All-Rookie team even though he played in just one conference game.