Zoo, Dixon to meet tonight

The Oakland Zoo is in place to scare opponents. The gold shirts, screaming fans and that one… The Oakland Zoo is in place to scare opponents. The gold shirts, screaming fans and that one crazed guy with Mickey Mouse gloves — it all defines how crazy the Oakland Zoo is.

But with the men’s basketball team dropping two home games against Bucknell and Georgetown, the aura of home court dominance has come into question.

There is no question in Dixon’s mind, however, that the Oakland Zoo makes the difference in games.

“They are the best,” head coach Jamie Dixon said, comparing the fans to those of all other Big East schools. “The numbers, how they are behind their team.”

So tonight, Dixon and the team will show how they are behind their fans, with an Oakland Zoo meeting at the Petersen Events Center. The event will feature a question-and-answer session with Dixon, as well as contests, prizes, pizza and drinks.

And it’s free to go, even for those who do not have season tickets.

“It’s just an opportunity for the basketball administration to thank the students for their support in the Oakland Zoo,” Dixon said.

An added bonus for fans will be the free Oakland Zoo T-shirts handed out to the first 300 students.

Matt Cohen, creator and current president of the Oakland Zoo, will be on hand and urges students to attend, because he wants to work on ways the Oakland Zoo can become more intimidating to other schools. He wants to start new chants and create new traditions. All in all, he wants the fans who sit in the Zoo to become more unified.

He’s also urging Zoo members to show up not at tip-off, but rather when the doors open — 90 minutes earlier — Saturday when the Panthers take on Seton Hall at noon, because the section rarely fills up until tip-off.

“How come the students aren’t there?” Cohen asked.

Cohen explained that other nationally ranked schools, such as Kansas, Kentucky and Syracuse show up early and never stop cheering.

“We have national recognition,” Cohen explained, adding that Dick Vitale says teams come into the “Zoo” to play the Panthers, not into the “Pete.”

Cohen wants to keep Pitt on Vitale’s A-list.

Other matters that will be discussed include the possibility of future meetings for the Oakland Zoo and the appointments of a new president, vice president and treasurer, because all will be graduating.

Cohen said they are looking for students who show the dedication they have had over the past three and a half years.

“We need motivated students for the future,” said Jon St. George, who is another creator of the Oakland Zoo.

The doors open at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, and students are to use the entrance they normally use for games. The doors open at 10:30 a.m. for Saturday’s contest against Seton Hall.

Those are the facts. Only one question remains: As the pre-game introductions ask, “Will you protect this house?”