Homecoming excitement at Bowers Saturday
10/15/2010 1:00:00 PM | Football
Sam Houston plays its 77th annual homecoming football game Saturday when the Bearkats play host to Southeastern Louisiana at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium in Huntsville.
Game-day activities will kick off at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday when Bearkats can have coffee with Gibson during "Pregame with the President" in Austin Hall.
At 12 noon, the Sam Houston band, cheerleaders and Orange Pride will lead the "March to Bowers" beginning at the LSC mall. The arrival of participants in the march marks the official beginning of the tailgate party at Bearkat Alley in the north end of Bowers Stadium. Free food and giveaways will be available on behalf of numerous organizations and student groups.
Homecoming Saturday is time for the "Orange Out" sponsored by Whataburger. When the Bowers Stadium gates open at 12:30 p.m., the first 1,000 fans wearing orange will receiver a Whataburger coupon. Those fans also will receive a free game program.
Once that sea of orange fills the stadium, the real action begins as the Bearkats and the Lions meet in an important Southland Conference matchup. Both teams are tied for first place after winning their opening league games last Saturday. Southeastern Louisiana boasts one of the top passing attacks in the conference while Sam Houston leads the league in total defense.
The recipients of the Distinguished Alumni awards and the former Sam Houston student-athletes who will be inducted into the men's and women's athletic Halls of Honor will be introduced at halftime. The finale of halftime ceremonies will be the announcement of the 2010 homecoming king and queen.
Following the game, Double Dave's Pizza of Huntsville will be distributing special value offers sure to entice fans to continue the homecoming celebration following the contest.
Saturday is not the only big day for homecoming at Sam Houston. The days leading up to the contest are packed with energizing events as well.
The week-long homecoming celebration started Monday when university president Dr. Dana Gibson and the Bearkat athletic teams and spirit groups participate in the homecoming kickoff rally at the Lowman Student Center Mall
Wednesday, student activities hosted the annual "SamJam Carnival" in the Holleman Field parking lot. Numerous rides and attractions, including a giant Ferris wheel and free food, were on hand for all to enjoy. The highlight of the night was the announcement of the finalists for the Homecoming King and Queen.
Bearkat spirit spread down Sam Houston Avenue Thursday during the annual homecoming parade. Friday, October 15, Sam Houston will celebrate alumni with the Golden Circle Reunion. The event honors those alumni who were graduated 50 or more years ago. The reunion begins at 11 a.m. in the LSC Ballroom.
That evening, Sam Houston's five "Distinguished Alumni" will be recognized during the annual gala at 6 p.m. in the LSC Ballroom. The 2010 honorees include Calvert Harrison, Brenda Love, Marcus Luttrell, George Miles, and John Garrett, the Distinguished Young Alumnus.
Tickets for the Sam Houston vs. Southeastern Louisiana homecoming football game are now ons sale online at www.gobearkats.com/tickets . Bearkat fans also may purchase tickets in advance at the SHSU athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House in the south end zone of Bowers Stadium.
Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone is 936 294-1729.
Fans who have not yet purchased their "Battle of the Piney Woods" game at Reliant Stadium Saturday, October 23, will have an opportunity to do so at homecoming this Saturday.
Tickets will be on sale at the west side Bowers Stadium ticket office Saturday throughout the afternoon and until 30 minutes after the end of the game. Seats for the rivalry game between Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin in Houston are going fast. "Battle of the Piney Woods" tickets also are available for purchase online through Sunday, October 17.
