Photo by: Josh McDaniel
Blue Bloods Gear Up for Year Two: Welcome Back Pep Rally Set for Sept. 4, New Rewards and Experiences Unveiled
8/28/2026 10:00:00 AM | Football, General
Full schedule of Welcome Week events also announced
RUSTON | Louisiana Tech's Blue Bloods program is gearing up for year two, and the Bulldogs are inviting every registered student to be part of it. Athletics officials today announced the Welcome Back Pep Rally, set for Friday, Sept. 4, inside Memorial Gym, along with a refreshed slate of Loyal Blue Reward Points perks designed to put Blue Bloods back at the center of game day.
The pep rally is part of Louisiana Tech's Welcome Week, running Sept. 2–11, and sets the stage for the following night's season opener against Northwestern State at Origin Bank Field at Joe Aillet Stadium — Louisiana Tech's first game as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the pep rally beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The first 500 students through the doors will receive free pizza, a T-shirt, and Pepsi products. Every attendee will have their Loyal Blue Reward Points scanned at the door, and every scan is an entry to win one of five DAC SRO tickets and food vouchers — a prize package Blue Bloods will offer at every home football game throughout the year. Scanned-in members will also have a chance to join the band and spirit squads on the field for the team's season opener pregame run-out. Blue Bloods is also exploring courtside seats and Waggonner Room access giveaways for basketball games this season.
New for Year Two: Bigger Trips, Bigger Access
Blue Bloods is raising the stakes on its signature travel experiences in 2026. Two Blue Blood members will be selected to travel with the football team to Baylor, with travel, hotel, tickets, and meals fully covered. The same experience will be offered again for the trip to South Alabama, giving Blue Bloods two chances this season to travel alongside the team on the road. Louisiana Tech will also give away a select number of free tickets to the LSU game.
The first Loyal Blue Reward Points fulfillment date of the year is set for Tuesday, Nov. 17, when the Bulldogs host Jacksonville State in men's basketball at the Thomas Assembly Center — giving members their first opportunity of the season to cash in points for rewards.
A Program on the Rise
Blue Bloods enters year two coming off a breakout debut season. After registering over 1,100 students in year one, the university's largest student organization is approaching 1,700 members after adding over 500 incoming freshmen who signed up during summer orientations. The program's digital footprint has grown alongside it, with Blue Bloods now reaching more than 2,400 followers on Instagram and 1,300 on TikTok.
From the pep rally to the season opener and every Welcome Week stop in between, the message is the same: Blue Bloods isn't something students watch from the outside — it's something they're part of from the moment they arrive on campus.
"What we saw in year one was students buying in — not just signing up, but showing up, scanning in, traveling with us," said Kyle Kavanaugh, Senior Associate AD for External Affairs and Chief Brand Officer. "Going from where we started to more than 1,600 registered members, with 500 new freshmen already on board before classes even start, tells you the momentum is real. Year two is about giving that energy somewhere bigger to go."
Refreshed Rewards Catalog
Blue Bloods members will also see a refreshed Loyal Blue Reward Points catalog this year, including:
Student access passes have already been emailed to registered students, who receive free admission to all LA Tech Athletic home events, and exclusive Blue Bloods digital passes will be sent out next week to all registered members. Questions regarding tickets or passes can be directed to the Louisiana Tech Ticket Office.
Students can register for Blue Bloods and begin earning Loyal Blue Reward Points at LATechSports.com/bluebloods.
The pep rally is part of Louisiana Tech's Welcome Week, running Sept. 2–11, and sets the stage for the following night's season opener against Northwestern State at Origin Bank Field at Joe Aillet Stadium — Louisiana Tech's first game as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the pep rally beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The first 500 students through the doors will receive free pizza, a T-shirt, and Pepsi products. Every attendee will have their Loyal Blue Reward Points scanned at the door, and every scan is an entry to win one of five DAC SRO tickets and food vouchers — a prize package Blue Bloods will offer at every home football game throughout the year. Scanned-in members will also have a chance to join the band and spirit squads on the field for the team's season opener pregame run-out. Blue Bloods is also exploring courtside seats and Waggonner Room access giveaways for basketball games this season.
New for Year Two: Bigger Trips, Bigger Access
Blue Bloods is raising the stakes on its signature travel experiences in 2026. Two Blue Blood members will be selected to travel with the football team to Baylor, with travel, hotel, tickets, and meals fully covered. The same experience will be offered again for the trip to South Alabama, giving Blue Bloods two chances this season to travel alongside the team on the road. Louisiana Tech will also give away a select number of free tickets to the LSU game.
The first Loyal Blue Reward Points fulfillment date of the year is set for Tuesday, Nov. 17, when the Bulldogs host Jacksonville State in men's basketball at the Thomas Assembly Center — giving members their first opportunity of the season to cash in points for rewards.
A Program on the Rise
Blue Bloods enters year two coming off a breakout debut season. After registering over 1,100 students in year one, the university's largest student organization is approaching 1,700 members after adding over 500 incoming freshmen who signed up during summer orientations. The program's digital footprint has grown alongside it, with Blue Bloods now reaching more than 2,400 followers on Instagram and 1,300 on TikTok.
From the pep rally to the season opener and every Welcome Week stop in between, the message is the same: Blue Bloods isn't something students watch from the outside — it's something they're part of from the moment they arrive on campus.
"What we saw in year one was students buying in — not just signing up, but showing up, scanning in, traveling with us," said Kyle Kavanaugh, Senior Associate AD for External Affairs and Chief Brand Officer. "Going from where we started to more than 1,600 registered members, with 500 new freshmen already on board before classes even start, tells you the momentum is real. Year two is about giving that energy somewhere bigger to go."
Refreshed Rewards Catalog
Blue Bloods members will also see a refreshed Loyal Blue Reward Points catalog this year, including:
- Top point prizes: soundbar, dart board, and speakers
- Louisiana Tech and Blue Bloods branded gear and swag
- Bookstore and concessions discounts
- Premium game day and suite experiences
- Batting practice at J.C. Love Field
- Travel with the football and basketball teams
- Discounts and specials at participating Coaches Shows
- Access to banquets and signature dinners, including Dinner on the Diamond, the First Pitch Dinner, the Hall of Fame Ceremony, and the Techspys
- Exclusive ticket deals — discounted or free — for bowl games, conference tournaments, postseason access, and road athletic contests throughout the year
Student access passes have already been emailed to registered students, who receive free admission to all LA Tech Athletic home events, and exclusive Blue Bloods digital passes will be sent out next week to all registered members. Questions regarding tickets or passes can be directed to the Louisiana Tech Ticket Office.
Students can register for Blue Bloods and begin earning Loyal Blue Reward Points at LATechSports.com/bluebloods.
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