Sept. 12, 2014 RUSTON - Louisiana Tech fans will see numerous game-day experience improvements for the upcoming football season when the Bulldogs open up home play Sept. 20 against Northwestern State.
The Allstate Bulldog Village, sponsored by the Pace Agency of Shreveport and the Adam Bass Agency of Ruston and Shreveport, will be one of the most interactive of these improvements as it will serve as an additional attraction to tailgating. Opening three hours prior to kickoff at every home game, the Allstate Bulldog Village will be located on the front steps of the Thomas Assembly Center.
It will consist of numerous entertainment activities, including live music, the Ruston Brick Kids Zone, face-painting with Tech spirit groups, Game-Day program booth, photo stations, sponsor booths, interaction with LA Tech student-athletes, Barnes and Noble Bookstore, social media station, tailgate judging and more. For the Northwestern State game, live music will be provided by the Army National Guard Rock Band while members of the reigning Conference USA champion Bulldog basketball team will be on hand to sign autographs.
Tailgaters who wish to enter their food (BBQ Ribs) in the judging need to bring samples of their ribs to the specified table at 3:30 p.m. Members of the Bulldog basketball team will serve as judges for tailgating for the Northwestern State contest.
The First National Bank Bulldog Tailgate Pre-Game Show will begin live at Allstate Bulldog Village ninety minutes prior to kickoff each home game with Dave Nitz, Teddy Allen and Malcolm Butler set the stage for the contests.
The Alumni Association Tailgate at Argent Pavilion will also be back this year with free food provided to the first 500 people each game courtesy of some of Louisiana Tech's most loyal partners. The alumni tailgate starts 3 hours prior to kick each week and Super 1 Foods will provide BBQ sandwiches for the Northwestern State game.
Joe Aillet Stadium will also get a bit of a facelift as new stadium banners honoring Terry Bradshaw, Willie Roaf, Fred Dean, Joe Aillet and Maxie Lambright will be hung, replacing the current banners. The back of the Community Trust Bank CTVision video board will also get a graphic facelift.
Football fans can also expect a few new concession additions this season, including Wing Stop, a candy stand, taco truck, iced tea stand, java drinks, smoothies and more. Gates to Joe Aillet Stadium will open 90 minutes prior to kickoff this season.
The "Walk of Pride" by the Bulldog football team upon its arrival to Joe Aillet Stadium will once again begin at Tailgate Alley as the Tech Band of Pride will lead the procession route which runs past the west side of the stadium to the west doors of the Charles Wyly Athletic Center. The Bulldog team usually arrives at the stadium approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes prior to kickoff.
It will be the Willis-Knighton Sports Medicine "Faith and Family Day" for the Northwestern State game as fans can attend a free concert of Big Al which will start at 4 p.m. in the Thomas Assembly Center. Pregame ceremonies will also include skydivers arriving in the stadium at 5:45 p.m. as well as pregame and halftime performances by the Tech Band of Pride. The Northwestern State band will also perform at halftime.
Mike White and the reigning Conference USA champion Bulldog basketball team will be recognized on the field at halftime.
Skip Holtz and the Bulldog football team will kick-off against Northwestern State at 6:05 p.m. as Louisiana Tech looks for its third straight win after posting impressive victories over Sun Belt Conference preseason favorite UL-Lafayette and Conference USA West Division preseason favorite North Texas.
Following the contest fans will be entertained with a post-game fireworks show.
Season tickets are still available for the 2014 campaign as fans can call the Tech Ticket Office at 318-257-3631 or email techtickets@latech.edu. The Tech Ticket Office is located in the Thomas Assembly Center and is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. The Ticket Office will open at 1 p.m. the Saturday of the Northwestern State game.
For all the latest on the Bulldog football team, fans can log onto LATechSports.com. Fans are also encouraged to follow Tech Athletics through social media, including Twitter (@LATechSports, @LATechFB) and Facebook (LATechAthletics, LATechFootball).