Sept. 27, 2004

Go behind the scenes and learn how the Athletic Department staff prepares for the 2004 football season. Each week, Cardinal Commitment will feature a different member of the staff that will discus his/her role with the Stanford Football program. Ben Ocken (Director of Stanford Football's Fan Fest) is this week's guest.

CC: What are you doing on a daily basis to prepare for the upcoming football game?

BO: On a daily basis, I coordinate our Fan Fest sponsors to ensure that we create an exciting Fan Fest with unique displays and interactive activities. Fan Fest is a pre-game party that starts three hours before kickoff where Stanford fans can come enjoy hot food, fun games and live entertainment. I also create most of our print ads, as well as coordinate Stanford Football's advertising with our print, radio and TV partners.

CC: What is your most important job on game day?

BO: My most important job on game day is to make sure Fan Fest goes off without a hitch, and if a problem does arise, I make sure that we find a solution to it.

CC: If you could tell the average fan one thing about Stanford Football that they may not know, what would that be?

BO: I would tell them that the coaching staff is one of the most intelligent groups of people I have ever been around. They are great teachers and great people to speak with.

CC: What is your most memorable Stanford Football experience?

BO: My most memorable Stanford Football experience would be organizing the Big Game Bus in 2002. The Big Game Bus is a ride we offer to season ticket holders who do not want to drive and park at Cal. I did not know I was coordinating the bus until I received a call from a fan wishing to make a reservation. We ended up filling ten buses full of excited Stanford fans.

CC: What is your Stanford Football goal? What do you want to achieve this season? What do you want the team to achieve this season?

BO: As a marketing employee, my first thought is attendance. I would like to see an average attendance of 45,000. I want the team to make it to a bowl game this season and finish with a record of 8-3 or better. I also want each Fan Fest to be more entertaining than the previous one.

CC: What does "Cardinal Commitment" mean to you?

BO: Cardinal Commitment means focusing, working hard and achieving your goal.