Although kickoff for the season opener is still two days away, the Ball State University athletic department is already reaching out to the fans.
Starting at 11 a.m. the athletic marketing department will host a two-hour event at Frog Baby, located outside Bracken Library. The band Shameless Self Promotion will perform live and the marketing department will be passing out hundreds of free football T-shirts. Members of the coaching staff and players will also be in attendance throughout the event.
"We're trying to build that relationship with our students that this is their team and their support is important to us," Chris Taylor, director of Communications and Marketing said. "This is strictly a student promotion and we're trying to promote the fact that Thursday is a very big game and their support is vital to us. Students at that game and at all games is the difference between an OK crowd and a definite home field advantage."
Later today the athletic department will host the grand opening and dedication of Scheumann Stadium, which has been undergoing a $13.8 million renovation project since late 2006. Renovations to the stadium included new field turf, a new press box and the north end zone becoming enclosed.
Taylor said he received 800 reservations and is expecting 1,000 fans for the event, which will begin at 6 p.m. with self-guided tours of the facilities. Fans can watch the Cardinals practice from 5:30-6:30 p.m., and there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at 7 p.m.
"I think the field turf is the most visual impact you'll see as soon as you walk into the stadium," Taylor said. "The field is beautiful and it's definitely colorful and will catch your eye. ... I also think the north end zone will become a place where a lot of families come to watch the game."
Though it will be a big day for the Cardinals' football program, Hoke said the team isn't used to having an event of this magnitude on a game week.
"It's a great thing for this university and also for the program," Hoke said. "It's a little busier than a normal Thursday would be for a Saturday game, so we've just got to pace ourselves. I'm going to focus on Miami [today] and let [tonight] take care of itself."
Hoke said he has been happy with the amount of support his team has received from fans.
"It's nice to see the fans' support and it's really nice for the [players]," Hoke said. "I know they enjoy the peer support and the support from the community."
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