In a sport where you could get publicly reprimanded by the umpire for being obnoxious, being late to your seat, boo-ing, snoring, conversing on your mobile device, or showing preemptive excitement, it is difficult to imagine much of a draw for Indy's college crowd. After all, I spent most of my college career doing those very things. Erm..except for the last one, of course.
But that's the new audience that the Indy Tennis Championships are trying to coax to this year's event. Tonight, Tuesday, is "Hub Night;” an event marketed toward Indy's young professionals. There will be live music and drinks available after the Roddick match, but the $6.00 beers and $10.00 "Grab n'Go" martinis leave me questioning an earnest turn-out for the bash. I was told by the marketing director there will be drink specials, but neither he or the bar staff knew any details. Every night there will be bands following the night's showcase match, and Thursday is College night. They are calling it "Animal House Meets Tennis," a slogan which may have been created by someone who's never seen the movie (but heard it has drinking, twenty-somethings, and fun). The tennis alone is enough of a draw--- and as the after-party is free with admission, it's worth checking out. Just don't come with an empty belly-- hot dogs are a devastating five dollars; nachos $4.50 for those of you budget-minded consumers.
In complete sincerity, you can't beat the ticket price at 8 bucks for a beautiful view of a beautiful game. Wednesday Thursday and Friday night the best matches are at 7 pm, and then the finals are on Saturday and Sunday at 11am.
So my recommendation: come for the tennis-- even if you don't know the sport it's a really fun event and infinitely more exciting live than it is on television. They have a handful of fan-interactive events and tents that almost justify admission on their own. And you'll never have to worry about drunken jerks making a scene. So you come for the tennis; and stay for the party. If the bash turns out to be a bust, all it cost you was paying witness to an incredible 90 minutes of sport.
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