Ticket discount offer for community "heroes"
9/13/2011 1:06:00 PM | Football
Military, community service(fire department, emergency service and police) and Texas Department of Criminal Justice personnel will be able to purchase $15 tickets to any of the six Bearkat home football games this season for just $10.
To receive the discount, personnel can present their military, TDCJ or community service identification at the box office. The discount applies to both current and retired personnel. The discount also will be available for home volleyball, men's and women's basketball, baseball and softball events at Sam Houston State University.
The new discount is part of the second annual "Hillcrest Heroes" celebration which will be held in conjunction with Sam Houston State's Southland Conference opener with Central Arkansas at 6 p.m. Saturday Sept. 17 at Bowers Stadium
The celebration honoring Walker County military veterans and police and fire department emergency service personnel was a highlight of last season's in-game festivities and is projected to grow even bigger for the 2011 presentation.
The "Hillcrest Ford Heroes" salute is sponsored by Hillcrest Ford, Huntsville's dealership for Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Hyundai sales, service and collision repair. Hillcrest Ford is located just off southbound Interstate 45 at Exit #114. Hillcrest Ford and the Sam Houston Department of Military Science again have partnered to bring thrilling patriotic activities during the contest against the UCA Bears.
The highlight of "Hillcrest Ford Heroes" night is a halftime march of of veterans and Walker County police and fire emergency service personnel.
"Hillcrest Ford is proud to be part of this special night. It is a thrill to join with Sam Houston State University to honor those who keep our community safe and root the Bearkats to victory," Hillcrest Ford general manager Justin Wright said. "Blending all these aspects into one thrilling event is amazing. Sam Houston's Army ROTC has contributed so much to making this celebration a success. I hope all the fans realize what a great night this is going to be and come take part."
Fans attending Bearkat Family Weekend not only will have the opportunity to honor the "Hillcrest Ford Heroes" during the special presentations on the field. There also will be chance for one-on-one interaction with U.S. military personnel and veterans in special pregame activities.
"We have two goals during this celebration," Lt. Colonel David Yebra of the SHSU military science department said. "We want to honor those who serve society and we want to get people excited about Bearkat football."
Included at the pregame "Bearkat Alley" tailgate will be informative military displays beginning at 4 p.m. The center piece at tailgate will be the huge U.S. Army 18-wheeler which houses demonstrations of the medical capabilities of the U.S. Army. Also on view will be the Veterans Resource Center mobile van highlighting veterans' services.
"From its inception last year, we have intended for the 'Hillcrest Ford Heroes' celebration to express our community's pride in those who protect our freedom and our safety," Wright said. "Last year's celebration was extremely moving and we expect this year's presentation to make your heart pound and your hair stand on end.
"We at Hillcrest Ford have a wonderful relationship with Sam Houston State not just because so many faculty, staff and students are Hillcrest customers but also because of the spirit of pride in community that develops between the university and the dealership when we work together to make our city better and stronger."
For more information about the "Hillcrest Heroes" discount for military, TDCJ and community service personnel, fans may contact the Sam Houston State athletic ticket office by telephone at (936) 294-1729 or by email at zdaniel@shsu.edu .
Tickets for all six Sam Houston football games at Bowers Stadium as well as the "Battle of the Piney Woods" rivalry game with SFA at Reliant Stadium in Houston October 8 are on sale now online at www.gobearkats.com/tickets .
Fans also may visit the Sam Houston athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House in the south end zone at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
