NBAE/Getty Images Gerald Wallace poses for a picture at the End of Season Bash.

By Malinda Murray
bobcats.com

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Every game they come. Their passion is unquestionable. Their energy is contagious. They are in the stands, cheering, encouraging and supporting. They celebrate every victory and applaud every milestone.

They are the Bobcats season ticket holders, the lifeblood of the team.

The Bobcats truly appreciate what these individuals do for the team, so as a way to say thank you, the Bobcats invited all season ticket holders to an exclusive end of season bash.

The night was all about having fun and there were plenty of activities and events to ensure everyone had a great time.

A live band was set up in the arena lobby entertaining fans as they were treated to some of their favorite game-time munchies – hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, ice cream and cotton candy.

Interactive games lined the concourse including a pop-a-shot, a simulated golf game, pool tables and a miniature golf course. A caricature artist was busy creating personalized drawings and a photo station was set up to help fans capture the moment.

Stilt walkers roamed the hallways while Rufus prowled about up to his usual crazy antics. The Lady Cats were also on hand to greet fans.

There was only one thing that could add to the fun and that was the arrival of the Bobcats players. It didn’t take long before the players had joined the party and were scattered throughout the concourse mixing and mingling with the season ticket holders.

The players happily signed autographs, posed for pictures and just enjoyed themselves as they interacted with their most passionate fans.

Two of the fans in attendance were Lynn Wall and her daughter, Sarah. They eagerly made their way throughout the concourse hoping to collect every player’s signature on their ball.

Getting the opportunity to meet the players was the best part of the event for the pair, who are first-year season ticket holders.

“We just love coming and cheering on our home team, even though they haven’t done so well this year, we are still behind them 100 percent,” said Wall “We’ve already renewed our season tickets for next year!”

Being able to interact with the players on a personal level is what makes this event so special.

“The best thing is that the players are here and they are accessible to us,” remarked Mike Peeler, an original season ticket holder. “They are so relaxed and just taking time to talk with us and have their pictures made with us.”

Following the festivities on the concourse, the season ticket holders were invited to sit in the arena bowl for a special treat – the first-ever game of Bobcats Family Feud

With Bobcats TV announcer Steve Martin serving as host, the players were separated into two teams. Team 1 consisted of Jared Dudley, Derek Anderson, Raymond Felton and Gerald Wallace while Team 2 featured Matt Carroll, Jason Richardson, Sean May and Emeka Okafor. Each team also included four season ticket holders selected from the audience.

The rules of the game were much the same as the TV show with each team getting the opportunity to guess what a survey of season ticket holders had said. Instead of the board that revealed the answers though, the Lady Cats confirmed if an answer was correct, doing a dance if the answer was right, putting up big X’s if the answer was wrong.

Team 2 took control early capturing the first two rounds to build a 100-point advantage.

Finally it came down to the final question worth 101 points. Whoever won this round would be declared the winner.

“In a survey of 241 season ticket holders, who are the seven most attractive Bobcats players?” asked Martin.

Team 1 quickly raised their flag to answer. Matt Carroll was the first response, then Derek Anderson and Emeka Okafor. All correct! Raymond Felton was the next name said. Everyone waited in anticipation. When the horn sounded and the Lady Cats displayed X’s it sent the entire Bobcats team into laughter. Jason Richardson literally fell out of his chair onto the floor he was laughing so hard.

The game continued with the players and the fans in the stands enjoying themselves more and more with each answer.

Sean May and Jared Dudley also proved to be correct responses, but the answers of Jason Richardson and Gerald Wallace by Team 1 got X’s from the Lady Cats.

With Team 1 having struck out, Team 2 had the opportunity to steal the question and capture the win.

Team 2 quickly huddled up discussing the possibilities. Finally they made their decision.

“Ryan Hollins,” pronounced Matt Carroll.

Everyone looked to the Lady Cats anxiously awaiting the result.

Finally there it was - the dance. Team 2 had emerged victorious!

How did Team 2 come up with Ryan Hollins as the winning answer?

“Emeka was strongly recommending Ryan,” explained Carroll. “A couple of guys were saying Earl. We just had a lot of ideas flowing, but Emeka said it mostly and the fans on our group were saying it too, so we were like, ‘okay let’s do it’. They voted, so you have to go with the fans.”

After all that was what this night was for - the fans.

“It was just a night full of fun,” said Carroll. “We came in here and we knew it was going to be fun because all the fans were here and they had a lot of games and fun activities, but the family feud was definitely the most fun for us. To get a chance to laugh and make fun of each other and hear the fan’s input was even better. It was just a lot of fun.”

Doing events like this for their fans are important to the Bobcats because it allows them to build relationship with their staunchest supporters. “They support us all year long over the last couple of years and hopefully they will support us next year,” remarked Carroll. “It gives us the chance to out there and interact with them personally which we don’t always get to do during the season because we’re always playing, but to go out there and talk to them and sign autographs and be normal was a lot of fun for them and a lot of fun for us too.”

It was also the perfect way to thank the fans for their dedication.

“We really want to say to you that we appreciate your support,” Bobcats owner Bob Johnson told the crowd. “You are not only the 5th man, but the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th man of the Bobcats organization. Without your avid support and your commitment to be part of the experience we simply would not exist in this community.”

Johnson also reiterated his commitment to making the team the best possible.

“I can assure you and I think I speak for Michael, that we are going to do everything, every year to bring you the best player product and personnel on the court. I think the young men that are assembled here as players on the Bobcats, in every game that I have seen them play and I think every game you’ve seen them play, they give their heart every night to bring home a victory to the Bobcats.”

“We’re looking forward to having all our players healthy and back next year and we’re looking forward to finishing out this season with the kind of commitment that will show you that next year and every year we are going to get better.”