Dix Stadium Gameday Primer For The 2011 Home Opener
9/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Gameday Central
Game Notes
With the 2011 home season set to kick-off Saturday night at 7 p.m., here's a quick rundown of all the goings-on in and around Dix Stadium.
The east and west parking lots will open at 4 p.m. for tailgating – fans are encouraged to bring their grills and come early.
In addition, the new Student Tailgate Zone will open at the same time just outside the southwest corner of the stadium by the softball field. The Temper Twins and DJ Breezy will provide music, and there will also be cornhole, a dunk tank, a mechanical bull and discounted food and beverages. Be sure to take advantage of the fact that student FLASHcards are good at all concession stands. Bus service to the stadium is available in front of Risman Plaza and will be departing every 2-3 minutes.
At 4:30 p.m., the Fan Experience will open in the Field House. Now in it's second year, the event features inflatables, a sports bar area, food vendors and a group picnic area. In addition, this Saturday representatives from Kent State's championship teams and NCAA wrestling champion Dustin Kilgore will be signing autographs Saturday.
At approximately 5 p.m., the Golden Flashes football team will arrive at the Field House for the "Flash Walk." New this year, head coach Darrell Hazell and two players will address the crowd prior to heading over to the stadium.
Twenty minutes before kick-off, Kent State will honor all of its championship teams and individuals from the 2010-11 season with a pregame parade on the field.
At halftime, the Kent State marching band will perform a medley of tunes from each branch of the armed forces. As part of Heroes' Night, a Wounded Warrior will be honored and a representative from each branch of the military will be recognized, as well as local fire, police and rescue squad members.
Following the band show, the Athletic Department will dedicate the George Jenkins and Jim Phelan Hall of Fame Plaza in the south end of Dix Stadium. Longtime supporters of Kent State Athletics, Jenkins and Phelan have generously donated $400,000 towards the Football Enhancement Fund. Upon its completion, the plaza will honor Kent State's football greats and will include Varsity "K" Hall of Fame inductees, retired jersey honorees and NFL standouts.
Call (330) 672-2244 or stop by the Athletic Ticket Office in the M.A.C. Center to get your tickets today. Season tickets start as low as $30 for the six-game slate.
