It’s a timeout, but the crowd goes wild. 

It’s time for freebies. 

Miami University throws, raffles and hands out game-day memorabilia at each ticketed sporting event. 

The giveaways are more than just throwing logoed T-shirts into the outstretched hands of spectators, even though the university does that too, according to the Associate Director of Marketing and Engagement Angie Renninger. 

“I mean, I think everybody likes free stuff,” Renninger said. “Everybody likes to get something… I just think it enhances the game-day experience.”

The point is the experience, especially when these giveaways highlight a game’s importance or significance to Miami University. 

“So [for homecoming] we were celebrating Western College… celebrating that group of people, turning the stadium blue and celebrating those sorts of things,” said Renninger. 

“So that was a group collective effort talking about a specific game and how we can make that feel special for that group that we’re inviting back to celebrate homecoming. We’ve done the jersey giveaways in basketball, and that is usually celebrating a specific player and putting that number on them… you know, just trying to celebrate different players coming back and that’s a fun giveaway for students to be a part of and to celebrate that history and to bring those people back and recognize and honor them. So, you know, there’s a lot of things that go into it.”

While the Miami T-shirts do make an appearance, giveaway items and in-game events make gameday all the more memorable, because it’s more than just T-shirts,  according to Renninger.

“You know, we try to have the Pacers dunk team come at least one time,” Renninger said. “The Frisbee dogs, we had a sled hockey team out of Cincinnati. A couple of weeks ago, with those who don’t have use of their legs, they came out and did an intermission. You know, [we] just try to bring in different groups to be a part of that game day and whatever that looks like. Also trying to have exciting halftimes.”

Giveaways are not exclusively from just the university, as sponsors and even Miami University President Gregory Crawford pitch in on gameday.

“He [Crawford] will come and he brings the squishmallows,” Renninger said. “And students go bananas for those RedHawk squishmallows. We’re doing a pride game for women’s basketball and that office is bringing over some totes for us to give away to students as part as part of that game. We’ll play bingo at basketball and volleyball. If you get bingo, you get a little prize.”

The more money Miami University makes, the more it can spend on giveaways and enticing in-game opportunities. 

Data collected from USA Today’s Finance and Revenue Report on Miami University (OH) shows that since 2010 Miami University generated roughly $6.27 million in net revenue through 2021. 

Chart by Vittorio Salotto

Revenue and expense margins have been much closer in recent years, likely leading to a decreased budget for fan giveaways and events, according to Miami University Athletics Revenue and Expense data. 

Despite the changes in revenue vs expenses, donor-backed game day giveaways, such as the Rogers’s Rewards are a staple and will continue to incentivize student attendance at sports events, according to Renninger.

“Roger’s Rewards is something that that donor brought to us to try to increase the attendance and attract students,” Renninger said. “I think [Roger’s Rewards] are very enticing to students, especially once they learn about it and know what’s going on. If you attend between seven and nine games, you’re in an exclusive drawing for Roger’s rewards, the $1,500 prize.”

These events are fun for everyone and add to a memorable experience on gameday, according to Miami student and communications intern Izzy Spiegelman.

“Well it’s a great way of getting more people engaged in the games,” Spiegelman said. “More people come into the games and find new ways to engage with on court and on the field and make them feel like they’re a part of the community and part of the game.” 

Miami student Bryce James echoes that sentiment. 

“I think it just lets everybody get involved in the game and what’s going on,” James said. 

For Miami University freshman, Danil Petrov, he said it’s all about community and the cool aspects of giveaways.

“I’d say it’s really good for more community engagement,” Petrov said. “This isn’t from me being here [Miami University] but like, I’ve won a soccer jersey once too and it was cool.”

For Renninger, that’s what matters most.

“I hope people wanna be a part of what’s going on here and whatever we can do to hopefully enhance that experience on game day,” Renninger said. “You know, we’re working hard to try to make game day fun.”