University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Black And Gold Game To Highlight EagleFest Weekend
3/27/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 27, 2006
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - EagleFest weekend is set for March 31-April 2 in Hattiesburg, as a full list of fun-filled activities for all ages, in addition to numerous Golden Eagle athletic events and will highlight the weekend.
The headlining event is the annual Black & Gold Spring Game, which is set for a 1 p.m., kickoff on April 1 in M.M Roberts Stadium. The scrimmage will close spring football practice and will allow fans to catch a glimpse of the 2006 Golden Eagles.
The honorary coaches for the Black and Gold Spring Game will be former Golden Eagle standouts Hanford Dixon (1977-80) and Brett Favre (1987-90), along with generous supporter Gene Gibson.
Admission to the scrimmage is $5 for adults and free for Southern Miss students. Tickets can be purchased through the Ferlise Center Ticket Office, by calling 1-800-844-TICK or by visiting SouthernMiss.com. All proceeds benefit the M-Club scholarship fund.
Fans attending the game can enter through Gates 1 and 5, and will have the opportunity to purchase concessions, merchandise, "Team of the Century" prints and pick up this year's Southern Miss Football poster and pocket schedules.
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, music, interactive games and activities will be set up for kids, as the "Fan Zone" 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 will also be selected to receive a free cleaning and detailing. Additionally, two lucky Southern Miss students attending the game will have a chance to win $100 worth of food from Southern Miss Dining.
After the Black & Gold game at 1 p.m., make your way over to the Southern Miss Softball Complex to see the Lady Eagle Softball team take on UCF in the second game of a double-header, which starts at 1 p.m., with game two scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. The Lady Eagles will conclude their series against UCF at 1 p.m., on Sunday. Tickets are only $1 with a ticket stub from the spring football game. Softball tickets are normally $5 for adults and $3 for youth.
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 Memphis at 4 p.m. 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 $7 for adults and $5 for youth.
During EagleFest Weekend, the Southern Miss M-Club Sports Hall of Fame will induct a nine-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 o'clock. Last year's event drew a capacity crowd at the Lake Terrace 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. To purchase tickets contact Lynn McClelland at the Southern Miss Athletic Center at (601) 266-5017.
Members being inducted into the 2006 class include: Courtney Blades-Rogers (softball), John Brechtel (baseball & football), Greg Haeusler (football), Jimmy Haynes (football), Pat Kergosien (track), Clemon Terrell (football), Sam Bella (football), Gene Carlise (mascot), and Clarence Weatherspoon (men's basketball).
EagleFest Weekend Schedule Of Events
Friday, March 31
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. Southern Miss Baseball vs. Memphis
- Pete Taylor Park; Admission starts at $7 Adult / $5 Youth
Saturday, April 1
1:00 p.m. Black & Gold Spring Football Game
- Fans enter through Gates 1 & 5 on the west side of M.M. Roberts Stadium
- Admission is $5 / Free for Southern Miss Students
- Fans will also have opportunity to participate in several on-field promotions
All Day Tailgating on Pride & 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 a.m. - 1 p.m. Fan Zone / Junior Eagle Funland
- Fun, music, interactive games and prizes for kids of all ages! Located on Loyalty Field next to M.M. Roberts Stadium
1:00 p.m. Lady Eagle Softball vs. UCF (DH)
- Southern Miss Softball Complex located off of 4th Street and 25th Ave.
- Admission is FREE
1:00 p.m. Lady Eagle Soccer Intra-squad Spring Scrimmage
- Southern Miss Soccer & Track Complex; Admission is free
2:00 p.m. Men's Tennis vs. Nicholls State
- Hattiesburg Racquet Club; Admission is free
4:00 p.m. Southern Miss Baseball vs. Memphis
- Pete Taylor Park; Admission starts at $7 Adult / $5 Youth
Sunday, April 2
1:00 p.m. Southern Miss Baseball vs. Memphis
- Pete Taylor Park; Admission starts at $7 Adult / $5 Youth
1:00 p.m. Lady Eagle Softball vs. UCF
- Southern Miss Softball Complex located off of 4 th Street and 25 th Ave.
- Admission is $5 Adult / $3 Youth OR $1 w/ spring football game ticket stub
2:00 p.m. Men's Tennis vs. South Alabama
- Hattiesburg Racquet Club; Admission is free
