May 28, 2009

OXFORD, Ohio - The countdown has begun for the college football game tagged as "The Rumble at the River."

Only 100 days remain until the debut of Coach Michael Haywood's first Miami University football squad and its 2009 season opener against interstate rival University of Kentucky at Cincinnati's Paul Brown Stadium, home of the National Football League's Cincinnati Bengals.

Cincinnati is the home to more than 40,000 Miami University alumni and more than 61,000 Miami constituents, so the Miami-Kentucky contest at the 65,535-seat stadium is expected to sell out quickly, according to Brad Bates, Miami's Director of Athletics.

"The Kentucky home game will see the largest gathering of Miami students, alums and fans in history which is especially appropriate given our Bicentennial this year," said Bates. "The interest for this game is very high nationally and locally, and we encourage Miami fans to order tickets immediately as we fully anticipate a sell-out given the interest, location and opponent. Finally, given the context of our economy, we offer an extremely reasonable value for high-quality family entertainment."

Fans looking for premium savings and ideal seat location get the best of both worlds by purchasing RedHawk season tickets. Season tickets--including the game against Kentucky-- are only $120. Prices are even more affordably priced for Miami faculty and staff ($105), senior citizens ($110), and youth under 18 ($100).

Individual ticket prices for the much-anticipated game in Cincinnati against Kentucky are $45 for the lower bowl, $35 for the upper bowl and $75 for the club level. Season ticket purchasers will be seated in premium seats in the lower bowl at Paul Brown Stadium for the season opener, assuring them a savings of $15 per ticket.

"We want to bring the renewed enthusiasm and energy of Miami's season opener to the front door of our Cincinnati alumni and community," said Haywood. "It's exciting to play an SEC opponent, and we expect all the Red and White faithful to come to Paul Brown Stadium and later in the season to Yager Stadium to watch us play."

Nearly 100,000 Miami constituents live within an hour's drive of Paul Brown Stadium. Members of MU's Red & White Club (RWC) will receive priority season ticket privileges. Contact the Athletic Development Office at (513) 529-8097 or email the RWC at RWClub@muohio.edu.

Miami's six-game home schedule not only includes the September 5 contest in the Queen City against the Wildcats, but also five games at Yager Stadium on the Oxford campus. An October 3 Family Weekend battle versus nationally ranked Cincinnati, a Homecoming game against 2008 bowl participant Northern Illinois on October 24, a Halloween afternoon tilt versus intrastate rival Toledo, and exciting November games under the lights against Bowling Green and MAC Champion Buffalo make up the schedule of games located in Oxford.

Tickets can be ordered online (www.MURedHawks.com), in person at the Millett Hall Box Office or by phone 1-866-MUHAWKS (1-866-684-2957) or 513-529-HAWK.

New this year, due to the challenging economic climate, Miami faculty and staff can pay for their tickets via monthly payroll deductions. Call the ticket office for details.

Fans are encouraged to join MU's Red & White Club (RWC), Miami Athletics' official membership organization that supports annual scholarship needs. Contact the Athletic Development Office at (513) 529-8097 or email the RWC at RWClub@muohio.edu.

Haywood's football squad begins fall drills in early August.

For updated information regarding the Miami-Kentucky game, visit RUMBLEattheRIVER.com.

MIAMI'S 2009 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

September 5 KENTUCKY (at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati) (NO TV)

12 at Boise State

19 at Western Michigan*

26 at Kent State*

October 3 CINCINNATI (Family Weekend)

10 at Northwestern

17 at Ohio*

24 NORTHERN ILLINOIS (Homecoming/Hall of Fame)*

31 TOLEDO*

November 5 at Temple*

12 BOWLING GREEN (Military Day)*

18 BUFFALO (Youth Day)*

*Mid-American Conference game

--www.MURedHawks.com--

Printer-friendly format	Email this article