Tulsa Athletics soccer at the old ballpark

[TulsaRufnex]

Ticket, $5.
Shirt, $15.
Cheering until your throat is gone, FREE.
A game winning diving header by Walter Hubbard in the 86th minute.

PRICELESS!!!

Final score:
Tulsa Athletics - 3
Liverpool Warriors of Dallas - 2
Announced crowd:  2,738

"Ziggy Zaggy, Ziggy Zaggy, Oi, Oi Oi !!!"

[TulsaRufnex]

[TulsaRufnex]

[TheArtist]

Interesting crowd, as in I would have expected a lot more hispanics (I would have guessed perhaps a quarter to a third of the fans and supporters to be hispanic).  Also keep noticing the logo, lettering, etc. has a European leaning vs "neutral" or "American" look.  Hope this isn't a club that isn't playing to that demographic, and future demographic trends, as an ever growing market for football fans.  Would be a missed opportunity to secure a solid future.  Good turnout regardless.

[Conan71]

Looks like a great start and rowdy 'ol crowd.  Great seeing you at the Blue Dome Friday night, Ruf!

[davideinstein]

When is the next match?

[TulsaRufnex]

Next two home games are on Saturday, June 1st at 7pm (tailgate 3 hours prior to match time) and Sunday, June 2nd at 2pm (hangover tailgate TBA!)
You can buy tickets online here:  https://www.tulsa-athletics.com/tickets/

We are playing the two Houston teams on the road this Friday and Sunday.

Actually, Artist, a "quarter to a third" is a pretty decent ratio, similar to what I've seen at MLS games.
The logo is taken from the Boston Avenue Athletic Club.  In soccer circles, we affectionately call them a "pub team"...
http://thecup.us/2013-us-open-cup-qualifying-boston-avenue-ac-wins-another-oklahoma-title-qualifies-for-usasa-region-iii-finals/
And when I see the spelling of Tulsa with an old-english font, it brings back memories of the Tulsa Tribune...

Do I think we could have done better outreach to get hispanic fans?  Absolutely.
I wish we could have had general admission tickets available through Las Americas and Morelos.
The lease on Drillers Stadium was signed in March.
Our staff is primarily a mixture of college interns and volunteers.
We targeted our core customers at soccer games and tournaments, connected with our fans using facebook, and let the chips fall where they may.
We're closing in on 2,000 "likes" on the team's facebook page and 400 on our Ultras supporters page.

I believe our July 2nd game against the Club America U20's will help generate a lot of buzz.  http://www.clubamerica.com.mx/

It was disappointing not to have a group of latino fans with trumpets, drums, etc...
***We had a green trombone and a trumpet on Saturday, but we desperately need a drummer or two...
Our supporters logo (the pirate-like skull with wrench crossbones-- or maybe horns? that IMO looks like the a Marvel Comics redesign of the Grateful Dead skull... lol) is one that hardcore soccer fans of any ethnicity or nationality will recognize and appreciate.
"Ultras" is usually only reserved for hardcore supporters, and I associate it with the Polish fans at Chicago Fire games.  http://www.fireultras98.com/
But many others use it too... http://z6.invisionfree.com/UltrasTifosi/index.php?

Most of the 60 or so NPSL teams do not publish attendance figures because their fan support usually numbers in the hundreds.
Our opening day attendance is the highest in the league so far this season -- almost identical to Chattanooga FC's home opener http://www.chattanoogafc.com/news/chattanooga-football-club-wins-5-0-in-13-opener.  Before they announced our attendance at 2,738, I would have guessed 3500.

NPSL is one of two leagues in soccer's fourth division...
1.  MLS
2.  NASL  http://nasl.com/index.php
3.  USL-PRO  http://www.uslsoccer.com/teams/
4.  NPSL & PDL  http://www.nationalpremiersoccerleague.com/teams/index_E.html    http://www.uslsoccer.com/teams/

I'm just grateful to have owners who "get it" and a stadium that serves beer.
No more attempts to establish a team at high school stadiums like East Central or Bishop Kelley or the Union 8th Grade Center... a good fan experience requires more than that.
Which is why I believe many of the fans at our first game will come back and bring their friends next time!

"OPEN WIDE FOR SOME SOCCER!!!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK-gUXl7usc

[TulsaRufnex]

[TulsaRufnex]

Updated attendance figure for Saturday's game... 3,261   

Athletics Win Opener in Dramatic Fashion
http://www.tulsa-athletics.com/news/athletics-win-opener-in-dramatic-fashion/

TULSA, Oklahoma– Saturday, May 18, 2013 – A raucous crowd of 3,261 witnessed substitute Walter Hubbard's stunning diving header in the 85th minute that clinched the three points for the Tulsa Athletics.

Tulsa took the lead in the 63rd minute with Man of the match Omar Mata (University of Tulsa) scoring on Dallas Warriors goalkeeper, Jaime Perez (SMU). Throughout the first half, Perez made several crucial saves keeping the Warriors on level terms.

In the Athletics first NPSL home game of the year they took the lead on three separate occasions. Omar Mata and Levi Coleman providing the first two advantages before Walter Hubbard's goal finally secured the three points.

The final score finishing Tulsa Athletics 3, Dallas Warriors 2.

Tul-Mata (63rd minute)
Dal- Eligwa (70th minute)
Tul- Coleman (72nd minute)
Dal- Eligwa (79th minute)
Tul- Hubbard (85th minute)

UP NEXT: The Tulsa Athletics are away to Houston to face the two Houston teams this weekend but will be returning June 1st and 2nd to take on the Houston Regals.

Tickets available online at www.tulsa-athletics.com or by visiting the club shop located at at 4802 E. 15th St. in Tulsa (918-933-5600).

[TulsaRufnex]

[jacobi]

I wish there was a way to watch away games.  They shredded the houston team on friday 5-2.  As soon as I get my new desk at work on monday, I'm going to proudly display my athletics scarf!

[TulsaRufnex]

I wish there was a way to watch away games.  They shredded the houston team on friday 5-2.  As soon as I get my new desk at work on monday, I'm going to proudly display my athletics scarf!

Yeah, technology marches on!  It shouldn't be too difficult for somebody to put up a webcam and stream the game!
Until then, you can follow us on twitter (Tulsa-Athletics@TTownSoccer & TulsaUltras@tulsaroughnecks) or facebook (Tulsa Athletics & Tulsa Athletics Official Supporters Group)...

Halftime at Houston Hurricanes... Tulsa 3, Houston 0
Jordan Schmoker (Tulsa) 1st minute
Johnny Chavez (Tulsa) 16th minute
Michael Poneys (Tulsa) 36th minute

OUR STARTING 11...


(edit:  updated Final Score)

Second Half scoring:
Sum-Yung Guy? (Houston) 69th minute
Adam Schmoker (Tulsa) 82nd minute
Adam Schmoker (Tulsa) 90th minute

FINAL SCORE:  Tulsa Athletics 5, Houston Hurricanes 1

A's sweep in their first ever road trip!!!

[DolfanBob]

Any chance the team will reach out to former Roughneck players and have them come out and introduced to the crowd?
It would be awesome to see some of the old players again.

[TulsaRufnex]

Any chance the team will reach out to former Roughneck players and have them come out and introduced to the crowd?
It would be awesome to see some of the old players again.

Charlie Mitchell was introduced prior to our first game.
I thought Alan Woodward was supposed to be there, not sure...

The idea of having a "Roughnecks night" to honor the players and hoist a championship banner has been tossed around a bit... "to be continued"...
http://tulsaroughnecks.com/Tulsa_Athletics_NPSL.php

In other news, Tulsa Ultras Tailgate #2 "First Place Fiesta" will start a couple of hours before Saturday's 7pm start...
The theme for this tailgate in honor of our boys taking the early lead in the standings is "First Place Fiesta!" Please spread the word to all of your friends. This is a family friendly event as long your kids are ok with people drinking.
 - This tailgate will still be a BYOB event, and as always we ask you not to bring bottles.
 - Food wise we will have tacos there to eat, but feel free to bring any other of your favorite Mexican food entrees and side dishes like salsa and guacamole.
 - Also you are more then welcome to setup your own tailgating area around your car like we did for week one.
For Sunday's 2pm kickoff, we will setup at 12:05pm for Tulsa Ultras Tailgate #3 "Recovery Session"    



Also, I believe Dr Kern will continue with this for all of our home games...

"Eastern Oklahoma Orthopedic Center and Dr. Thomas Kern would like to announce that a Sports Medicine injury clinic going to be held prior to the Athletics home games."
"Dr. Kern will be available to assess new injuries for youth soccer players two hours prior to kickoff. For the initial game, Dr. Kern will start seeing patients at 4 o'clock at the Athletics ticket office at the stadium."
"In order to help as many people as possible, Dr. Kern will only be able to see one problem per patient, and will not be able to assess chronic or long-term issues. The clinic is open for youth soccer players, age 4-18."

[davideinstein]

Sum-Yung Guy, hahaha...