Patriotic Halftime Show To Highlight Stadium Dedication Weekend
2010-07-29
Updated: August 23, 2010
After more than a year of construction, Jacksonville State University is preparing for the public reveal on its $55 million housing and stadium expansion during JSU’s first home football game on September 11.
The Gamecocks are scheduled to play the UT-Chattanooga Mocs in the home opener, which kicks off at 6 p.m. Before the teams christen the field, the University invites the public to two days of events that will culminate in a halftime extravaganza that pays tribute to the first responders and victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Dedication weekend gets under way on Thursday evening, September 9 with a pep rally at Burgess-Snow Field featuring the Southerners, football team, cheerleaders and Cocky. The community is invited to join the JSU campus community in cheering on the Gamecocks at the 8:30 p.m. rally.
On Friday, September 10, there will be a free concert for students, faculty and staff by Vanguard Records artist Mindy Smith (full details in separate story here); the Charley Pell Memorial Golf Tournament and Dinner at the Anniston Country Club; the first games of a JSU Soccer Tournament that will continue through the weekend; and a JSU Alumni reunion.
Game day events begin at 9 a.m., when high school band students from all over the region will gather to rehearse for their pre-game performance with the Southerners. There will be a car show in the parking lot of the Theron Montgomery Building at 11 a.m., followed by a JSU Alumni Tailgate Party at the Alumni House at 1 p.m. Special activities just for children will be offered on the TMB lawn from 1-5 p.m. JSU faculty past and present are invited to gather on Kennamer Field at 4 p.m. for a reunion and tailgate.
The day’s focus will shift at 3 p.m. to the university’s September 11 remembrance, as the ROTC will have its 9/11 Memorial recognition at the Alumni House. This will be followed by a concert by the Atlanta Bagpipe Band at 3:15.
The 9/11 remembrances will continue throughout the rest of the day, culminating in a spectacular halftime show honoring first responders.
During the pre-game show, the Southerners along with all Band Day participants will perform.
At halftime, the Southerners will enter the field to a special fanfare written especially for the occasion. This will be followed by the official stadium dedication.
The focus will then shift to the September 11 observance as the Atlanta Bagpipe Band joins the Southerners on the field and the JSU ROTC presents flags from every state. First responders including firefighters, police and emergency medical technicians will enter the field to be recognized, followed by a performance from JSU alumna and faculty member Mrs. Teresa Cheatham Stricklin. As the former Miss America finalist sings “God Bless America,” the sky above JSU Stadium will explode with fireworks to bring the patriotic extravaganza to a close.
Stadium gates open at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 11, and the pre-game show begins at 5:40 p.m.
To order tickets, please call 1-877-JSU-TIXX (1-877-578-8499) or visit www.jsugameday.com.
First responders (police, fire and emergency personnel) may receive two free complimentary tickets to the game by pre-registering their attendance with Maj. Dean Shackelford of the JSU ROTC program. Please register by e-mail at lshack@jsu.edu or by phone, (256) 782-8023.
About the photo: Gamecock defensive back T.J. Heath (Steve Latham/JSU photo)
