Black & Gold Game To Highlight EagleFest Weekend
HATTIESBURG, Miss.?The game plan has been drawn up for the third weekend of April at The Rock in Hattiesburg with a full list of activities, for all ages, in association with the annual spring football game.
The headlining event is the annual Black & Gold Spring Game, which is set for a 1 p.m., kickoff on April 16 at M.M Roberts Stadium (a.k.a. The Rock) on the campus of Southern Miss. The scrimmage will bring the spring practice period to a close and allow fans to catch a glimpse of the 2005 Golden Eagles. Admission to the scrimmage is $7 for adults, $3 for youth 14 and under, and free for Southern Miss students. Tickets can be purchased through the Ferlise Center Ticket Office prior to the game and at Gates 1 and 5 on game day. All proceeds benefit the M-Club scholarship fund.
Prior to the scrimmage on Saturday morning, fans are invited to join fellow Golden Eagles on Loyalty Field for tailgating, comradery and other activities. Motor homes & RVs, cars and trucks will all be allowed on the field starting at 7 a.m. In addition, interactive games and activities will be set up for kids, as the Junior Eagle Funland will be located on Loyalty Field and available to families beginning at 10 a.m. Fans will have a chance to compete in a contest that will award prizes for the best BBQ, best tailgating presentation and an overall best tailgater. One car also will be selected to receive a free cleaning and detailing.
During the game, honorary coaches Gene Carlisle and General Jeff Hammond will be recognized for their contributions to Southern Miss. Students attending the game will receive a free Frito Lay snack as they enter the stadium, and two lucky students will have a chance to win $100 worth of food from Southern Miss Dining. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase merchandise, ?Team of Century? prints, 2005 season tickets and pick up the this year?s new Southern Miss Football poster and pocket schedules
After the spring game at 1 p.m., make your way over to the Southern Miss Softball Complex to see the Lady Eagle Softball team take on Houston at 3 p.m. Fans can also stop by Pete Taylor Park to watch Head Baseball Coach Corky Palmer and his nationally ranked Golden Eagles take the field against Conference USA foe Saint Louis at 4 p.m. Fans can redeem their Black & Gold game ticket for a half-price admission to Saturday?s baseball game. The Golden Eagles are also in action on Friday night at 6:30 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.; tickets start as low as $6 for adults and $4 for youth. The Lady Eagles are also scheduled to take the field on Sunday to conclude their series with Houston at 1 p.m.; tickets are only $1 with a ticket stub from the spring football game. Softball tickets are normally $5 for adults and $3 for youth.
During EagleFest Weekend, the Southern Miss M-Club Sports Hall of Fame will induct a seven-member class in Friday night ceremonies at the Lake Terrace Convention Center, starting with a reception-social hour at 6 p.m., and the banquet-induction at 7 p.m. Last year's event drew a capacity crowd at the Convention Center and tickets are expected to sell equally as fast this year. Tickets to the Friday night reception and banquet are on sale through the M-Club. They are $25 each, and reserved tables for eight are available for $200; tickets are only sold in advance with cash, check or money order. The deadline is Monday, April 11, by noon. To purchase tickets contact Lynn McLelland at the Southern Miss Athletic Center at (601) 266-5017. Members being inducted into the 2005 class include: Casey Fisher (men?s basketball), Jeff Hammond (football), Onesimus Henry (football), Michael Jackson (football), Kristen Karchnick Toppin (track & cross country), Steve Summer (golf), Jack Thomas (coach/football), and Kerry Valrie (football & baseball).
EAGLEFEST WEEKEND
----- SCHEDULE OF EVENTS -----
FRIDAY, APRIL 15TH
6:00 p.m. Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame
- Lake Terrace Convention Center, Hattiesburg
- Social Hour at 6 p.m.; Dinner & Induction Ceremonies at 7 p.m.
6:30 p.m. Golden Eagle Baseball vs. Saint Louis
- Pete Taylor Park; Admission starts at $6 Adult / $4 Youth
SATURDAY, APRIL 16TH
ALL DAY Tailgating on Loyalty Field
- Access to the field will begin at 7 a.m. for all motor homes, cars, trucks, etc.
- Tailgating Contest awarding prizes for Best BBQ, Presentation and Best Overall
- Dirtiest car/truck will receive a gift certificate for a free car wash/detailing
10:00 a.m. M-Club Business Meeting
- For M-Club members only; Athletic Center M-Club Room
10 a.m. ? 1 p.m. Junior Eagle Funland
- Fun, interactive games and prizes for kids of all ages! Located on Loyalty Field next to M.M. Roberts Stadium.
1:00 p.m. Black & Gold Spring Football Game
- Fans enter through Gates 1 & 5 on the west side of M.M. Roberts Stadium; Students enter through Gate 6
- Admission is $7 Adult / $3 Youth / Free for Southern Miss Students
- USM Students will receive a free Frito Lay snack when they enter Gate 6
- Fans will also have opportunity to participate in several on-field promotions
1 / 3 p.m. Lady Eagle Softball vs. Houston (Doubleheader)
- Southern Miss Softball Complex located off of 4th Street and 25th Ave.
- Tickets are $5 Adults / $3 Youth
- 30th Anniversary Celebration of Women?s Athletics at Southern Miss
4:00 p.m. Golden Eagle Baseball vs. Saint Louis
- Pete Taylor Park; Admission starts at $6 Adult / $4 Youth
- Receive ? price admission with ticket stub from spring football game
4:00 p.m. Golden Eagle Tennis vs. Tulane
- Hattiesburg Country Club; Admission is free
SUNDAY, APRIL 17TH
1:00 p.m. Golden Eagle Baseball vs. Saint Louis
- Pete Taylor Park; Admission starts at $6 Adult / $4 Youth
1 p.m. Lady Eagle Softball vs. Houston
- Southern Miss Softball Complex located off of 4th Street and 25th Ave.
- Tickets are $5 Adults / $3 Youth OR $1 w/ spring football game tickets stub
For additional ticket information for all the events listed above, visit or contact the Ferlise Center Ticket Office at (601) 266-5418, 1-800-844-TICK or visit SoutherMiss.com.
