The Arkansas Tech University Department of Athletics has announced that it will be offering fans the opportunity to remain ever-present inside Tucker Coliseum in the new year through the purchase of cardboard cutouts of themselves and/or their loved ones (even pets, see Jerry the Bulldog!).
With no fan attendance allowed during at least the first two weeks of the basketball season per the Great American Conference’s Return To Play protocols, these cardboard cutouts allow fans the ability to continue to support the Wonder Boy and Golden Suns on the court without physically being there.
What’s even better about the fan cutouts is that they are not just restricted to basketball season!
In fact, all fan cutouts will remain in place inside Tucker Coliseum for every home volleyball match in 2021 and, if requested, cutouts may be moved to Carl Baswell Field for baseball and to Chartwells Women’s Sports Complex for softball!
The pricing structure of the cutouts will be as follows with proceeds going to directly benefit ATU student-athletes.
- One (1) for $35
- Two (2) for $60
- Three (3) for $85
- Four (4) for $100
Our first ordering deadline is December 21. This will ensure installation by our first GAC home games on January 9. After that initial deadline, orders will be made weekly.
Once the cutouts are installed inside Tucker Coliseum, a photo of the cutout will be taken and emailed to the email provided in the ordering process. Throughout the season we will also do “fans” of the game recognition on social media and make extra efforts to display the cutouts during the livestream of home games.
Fans who purchase cutouts will also be entered into weekly drawings for select ATU Athletic giveaways!
Guidelines for the Perfect Cutout
CHOOSING YOUR ATTIRE:
- Wonder Boys and Golden Suns attire are encouraged!
- A shirt color on the same color background will make you look like a floating head.
- Wearing a hat too low will cast a shadow on your eyes and conceal your face.
- If you want to wear a hat, make sure there is a good source of light in front of your face.
- If you wear glasses, try tilting or angling your face to avoid glare on your glasses. Avoid using the flash, as well.
SELECTING A BACKGROUND:
- For best results use a solid-color background - use a sheet or blanket if you don't have a wall that will work.
- Avoid back lighting - don't stand in front of a window or a door with your back to them.
- Keep personal or private information off of the walls or objects behind you. While photos will be cropped, we can't guarantee that all backgrounds will be removed from those photos.
SNAPPING THE PICTURE:
- Have someone else take your picture. Selfies don't crop well.
- Photos taken by smartphones should work. When submitting the photo, make sure it is as large as possible. Don't compress the file.
- Include some space around your head and shoulders so that your body is not chopped off.
- Stand 3-4 feet away from the camera/phone, and have the photo taken at your eye level.
- Photo should be taken in vertical (portrait) format.
FILE SPECIFICATIONS:
- Preferred file size is as large as possible. Smaller files may appear blurry and not as crisp. Any file size under 1.0 MB may be too small
- To check the file size, right click the photo in your finder window.
- Do not download previously taken picture from social media platforms like Facebook. These platforms automatically compress your images. Rather, submit that same photo from your camera roll from your phone!
PHOTO SUBMISSION TERMS & CONDITIONS:
- No commercial advertising, including company names, apparel brands, hashtags, social media handles, phone numbers, logos, slogans, or other branding.
- Team-branded attire only. No third-party branding, including on apparel and in photo backgrounds. No attire or other branding of NCAA schools or sports teams.
- No political statements, logos, slogans, or other political content.
- No offensive or negative comments about the institution or other NCAA schools or sports teams.
- No lewd, inappropriate or offensive photos.
- No names, images, or likenesses of any NCAA players.
Arkansas Tech Athletics reserves the right to reject any photo that it determines, in its sole discretion, violates these guidelines or is otherwise offensive, lewd, derogatory, infringing, discriminatory or otherwise inappropriate.
FAQ's:
Can more than 1 person be in the photo?
Only one face per cutout. Photos with multiple people will not be accepted.
Can I submit a photo of my pet?
Yes! Pet photos are permitted if they comply with the photo submissions guidelines and criteria.
How will I know if the photo I upload is accepted?
You will be contacted if your photo does NOT meet submission guidelines. See our photo submissions guidelines for tips on submitting the best photo.
Will I be able to see my cutout in the ATU broadcasts?
It might be possible, but we cannot guarantee it.
If I buy one for each member of my family, will we be placed next to each other?
There is no guarantee that your cutouts will be placed next to each other.
When will my cutout be in the seat?
Cutouts will be installed in waves and are placed at random based on when you submit your purchase. Once we have the product in hand, we will place the cutouts as quickly as possible. Please note that delays may be faced due to COVID-19 concerns. Our goal is to have the cutouts printed and installed as soon as possible.
Can I keep my cutout at the end of the season?
Yes! You will be able to pick up your cutout at the conclusion of the season. Details about pick up will be communicated after the season.
What if my cutout gets damaged?
If a cutout gets damaged, we will do our best to have it replaced in a timely fashion. ATU Athletics reserves the right to decide what constitutes a damaged cutout. ATU Athletics cannot guarantee the condition of your cutout after exposure to playing area, as such a faded image or a dent from a ball, will not result in a replaced cutout.
What if the season gets canceled?
All approved purchase cutouts are final and in no event shall such payments be refunded for any reason, including but not limited to the delay, suspension, or early termination of the season.
