By Tyler Fisher, Rocket Ticket Office graduate assistant 
April 11, 2020

During this time in quarantine, I find myself reflecting on my journey to Rocket Nation and where it all started.

When I was born in 1996, my uncle, Tim Fisher, had season tickets to Rocket football and basketball games. I grew up in a small family so I lived close to my uncle and I was lucky enough to be invited to the games with him and the rest of our family. Let me tell you, it was the highlight of my childhood.

One of the things that made it a blast was the Rockets Kids Club, a program for kids aged Pre-K to 8th grade. I don't recall all the club benefits, but I can't forget the t-shirt with the words "Rocket Kids Club" and Rocky on it. The back of the shirt read, "See YOU At The Game." A simple phrase but it was easy to remember and for me became forever connected with the Rockets.

Growing up in the early 2000's in Rocket Nation definitely had its perks and highlights. I will never forget watching quarterback Bruce Gradkowski and Head Coach Tom Amstutz shock the world and beat Larry Fitzgerald and Pitt at The Glass Bowl in 2003. One thing that most people don't know is Pittsburgh took home two L's that night. I and many others also witnessed Rocky the Rocket win a fight against Pitt's mascot, Roc the Panther. Of course, some of my favorite memories of Rocket Football are tailgating in Lot 10, tossing the football around with my cousin, and grilling burgers and hot dogs.

Rocket Basketball left a big impression on me, too. I saw many great teams, include the ones led by Justin Ingram that added to the legacy of Savage Hall (now Savage Arena). Later, I was at the inaugural game at the new Savage Arena in 2008, and saw the student section rush the court after the dramatic one-point victory over UMass.  

Why am I writing this? Well, I wanted to tell all of Rocket Nation my story of how I became a Rocket Fanatic, and bring back some memories of the past for you to recall during a time when we had sporting events to go to. You see, those memories are what I leaned on for when I was deciding on where to go to college. I remembered going to all the Saturday night football games at the Glass Bowl and weeknight basketball games that my uncle took me to -- even though by the start of the second half it was well past my bedtime! So there was no doubt that I would attend The University of Toledo!

After I enrolled at UToledo, I needed a job. I saw a job posting for an internship in marketing for none other than Toledo Rockets Athletics! I jumped on it and contacted the marketing grad assistant for an interview. To be honest, I didn't think I would get it. But to my surprise, I received an email with the subject line "Congratulations!" Relief. My journey in Rocket Nation had come full circle.

Today, I'm going around for another lap. I'm currently in graduate school at UToledo and still working in the Athletic Department. This time I'm working as the graduate assistant in the ticket office. I never saw myself as a "salesman." But I'll tell you what, nothing has brought a smile to my face more than assisting fans with their tickets, knowing that they will create their own memories that they can share with their families for years to come. Just like I did, all those years ago.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my story. Please stay safe during this time. We will get through this together and come out even stronger.

As always,
Go Rockets!


A young Tyler Fisher (with ball) with his cousin Brandon Fisher
at a Rocket tailgate (above); at a game last year (below).



Previous Rocket Blogs
So Is This the Honeymoon Phase? (April 8, 2020)
Why I Buy Season Tickets (April 5, 2020)
A Promising Season Ends in Surreal Fashion (April 1, 2020)
Coming Together as a Team to Help Sara (March 31, 2020)
Isolation Can Make Time Management a Challenge For Students (March 28, 2020)
Many Challenges Are Ahead for Rocket Athletics (March 25, 2020)
Waking Up From a Perfect Dream to Face a New Reality (March 20, 2020)
Saranlak Tumfong Begins Fight Against Cancer (March 19, 2020)
Healthy Ways to Deal with Anxiety During a Health Crisis (March 18, 2020)
A Note From the Athletic Director: Stay Strong Rocket Nation! (March 17, 2020)
How Can We Live Without Sports? For Now, We Must (March 14, 2020)