Military Appreciation Night when Tech hosts Skyhawks in York Trophy battle
When the Tech football team begins defense of its hold on the Sgt. York Trophy Thursday night with a 7 p.m. contest against UT Martin, there will be plenty of special guests on hand including military personnel and former football players.
Click here for game notes vs. UT Martin
(PDF)
Activities aplenty before and during the game Thursday
night
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- The trophy is named for Sgt. Alvin York, a
decorated WWI Army hero, so it's fitting that Thursday night when
Tennessee Tech begins its defense of the award by hosting UT
Martin, military personnel will be recognized during the school's
annual Military Appreciation Night.
As part of the event, First Tennessee Bank will feed all military
personnel attending the game under the white tent in the Magic 98.5
Tailgate Park, which opens at 4 p.m. All military personnel, active
and retired, are invited guests to the game along with their
families.
In a pregame ceremony, the Army will conduct an Oath of Enlistment
on the field and welcome 73 new recruits. The will be followed by a
rendition of "God Bless America" by Nashville band Due West, which
is the featured musical guest in the tailgate park from 4:30 to
6:30 p.m.
The night is also the annual Football Alumni Reunion, with a
special tribute to the 50-year anniversary of the 1960 Ohio Valley
Conference championship team.
Once the activities move into the stadium from the tailgate park
at 6:30 p.m, the first presentation of the evening will be a
recognition of former Herald-Citizen Sports Editor Frank Layne as
recipient of the OVC Media Lifetime Achievement Award.
Following the Oath of Enlistment and song by Due West, the Golden
Eagle Marching Band will perform its pregame show.
At the coin toss at midfield, joining the officials and team
captains, will be Brigadeer General Robert Harris.
At halftime, the Golden Eagle baseball team will be recognized for
winning the 2010 OVC regular season championship. That will be
followed by ceremonies recognizing the football alumni. The final
activity before the band's halftime show will be a pinning ceremony
for 11 Army ROTC commissioned cadets.
For information on Military Appreciation Night, the Football
Alumni Reunion, or to order tickets, please call the Athletics
Ticket Office in Eblen Center (931) 372-3940.
