The Eastern Michigan University football team, under the
direction of new head football coach Ron English, opens
its season at home Saturday, Sept. 5, with a a 7 p.m. kickoff
against Army (Armed Forces Night) at Rynearson Stadium.
And, according to Scott Schultz, director of marketing
for EMU athletics, the intent is to make Eagle football
not just a game, but an event.
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A FORCE ON THE FIELD: The EMU defense
clamps
down on a Toledo running back during a home
game last year. The Eagles open their 2009 season
with a home opener against Army Saturday, Sept.
5, 7 p.m., at Rynearson Stadium. |
"We are trying to create an atmosphere and an experience.
That's the goal of every game," Shultz said. "That when
they come, they want to come back. That's our goal more
than anything else."
For the home opener against Army, that atmosphere will
include the traditional Eagle Landing Fan Zone, a pre-game
gathering spot for fans at Oestrike Stadium. But, it also
will draw on potential new fans through integrating new
student orientation and even a 5K run which starts on the
north end of Rynearson.
"It's also move-in day for freshmen orientation.
Not only is it part of the orientation program for students
to come to the football game, but we're also hosting a
freshmen parent tailgate," Schultz said. "The
Ypsilanti Chamber of Commerce is hosting a 5K run as well,
starting at 5 p.m. As part of their registration, runners
will receive a ticket to the football game. It's a great
collaboration and it speaks to the relationship we are
building with the chamber and the community."
The game also will include a nod to philanthropy and be
mindful of the tough economy. As part of the Armed Forces
Night, veterans and current members of the United States
Armed Forces will be able to purchase discounted tickets
for $3. A portion of the proceeds ($1 from each ticket)
will go toward the EMU ROTC's efforts to build a rifle
range.
In addition, season tickets are offered to EMU faculty,
staff and alumni for $40, down from the normal $45 cost.
Tickets can be purchased at the Convocation Ticket Office,
by calling 487-2282 or online at http://www.emueagles.com/index.aspx?path=tickets
The Eagle Landing Fan Zone provides fans with the opportunity
to enjoy live music and entertainment, hot-air balloon
rides and a number of sponsor giveaways, including a big-screen
plasma TV, an Apple iPod, tuition credit hours, a Dell
computer, pre-paid gas card, a commuter parking pass and
a semester's use of books from Ned's.
Home opener giveaways include EMU dog tags to the first
1,000 fans; Eagle Nation T-shirts to the first 2,000 fans;
and EMU football magnets to the first 2,000 fans.
During the season, the Eagles will make four television
appearances, including two on the Big Ten Network. The
Mid-American Conference has announced that the EMU-Central
Michigan game, set for Oct. 10, will be televised on ESPN
Plus and GamePlan with a noon kickoff. The Eagles’ Nov.
5 date at Northern Illinois has been tentatively scheduled
for an ESPNU slot with a 6:30 p.m. Central Standard start
time.
 |
EAGLE NATION: Eastern Michigan University
student football fans cheer on their Eagles against
Central Michigan University last year. A number
of
promotions and giveaways are planned at home
games this year. |
In addition to those games, EMU’s Sept. 12 game
at Northwestern and its Sept. 19 date at Michigan have
both been slated for noon kickoffs on the Big Ten Television
Network.
The Eagles's homecoming game is a 1 p.m. kickoff against
Temple University Oct. 3. Other themes for home games include
Band Day, Kick and Dig Pink Day, and Senior Day.
The remainder of the Eagles' 2009 schedule is as follows:
Saturday, Sept. 12, Northwestern
University, Evanston,
Ill., 11 a.m. CST
Saturday,
Sept. 19, University
of Michigan, Ann
Arbor, noon
Saturday, Oct. 3, Temple
University, Rynearson
Stadium, 1
p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 10, Central
Michigan University, Mount
Pleasant, noon
Saturday,
Oct. 17, Kent
State University, Rynearson
Stadium, 4
p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 24, Ball
State University, Rynearson
Stadium, 1
p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 31, University
of Arkansas, Fayetteville,
Ark., TBA
Thursday, Nov. 5, Northern
Illinois University, DeKalb,
Ill., 6:30
p.m. CST
Saturday,
Nov. 14, Western
Michigan University, Rynearson
Stadium, 1
p.m.
Friday,
Nov. 20, University
of Toledo, Toledo,
Ohio, 7
p.m.
Friday, Nov. 27, University
of Akron, Akron,
Ohio, TBA
Friday, Dec. 4, Marathon
MAC Championship
Game, Detroit, 8
p.m.
