Bulldogs to meet fans, media
Annual ‘kickoff’ event for Tech gridders set for Sunday at TAC
, buddy@rustonleader.com
08-08-2008
So you’re a Louisiana Tech University fan in the mood for some football, huh?You can start getting pumped up for the rapidly approaching 2008 season on Sunday when the Bulldogs’ annual “Fan Fest” is held at the Thomas Assembly Center.
It will provide the perfect opportunity for all supporters of the Western Athletic Conference program to get geared up for the Aug. 30 opener at Joe Aillet Stadium against Mississippi State University.
Activities at the “Fan Fest” will cover a two-hour period, starting at 4 p.m.
It’s free and open to the general public and will feature a variety of activities for all ages.
Players, coaches and administrators affiliated with the 2008 squad will be available for informal chat sessions with the fans as well as also being interviewed by members of the media. Autographs and photograph sessions will also be one of the highlights of an event which has increased in popularity among fans and with members of the Bulldogs’ squad.
“It’s a great way for our players and staff members to meet the fans and talk some football,” said head coach Derek Dooley. “It’s the perfect opportunity for Bulldogs’ fans to come meet the players and get acquainted with the members of our team. We urge all Tech fans to come out to the ‘Fan Fest’ on Sunday at the Thomas Assembly Center.”
The Bulldogs have 41 letter winners and 15 starters returning from a 2007 squad that went 5-7 overall and posted a 4-4 mark against WAC opponents. That finish was two wins ahead of the three that the majority of prognosticators had predicted for the team prior to last year.
Returning as offensive starters are linemen Rob McGill, Jared Miles and Lon Roberts, wide receivers Phillip Beck and Phillip Livas, fullback/tight end Dustin Mitchell, tight end Anthony Harrison and running back Patrick Jackson.
Defensively, the Bulldogs will have linemen D’Anthony Smith, secondary members Antonio Baker, Weldon Brown and Deon Young and linebacker Quin Harris suiting up again as regulars.
Chris Keagle is back as the No. 1 punter.
Tech has been tabbed for a No. 5 finish in the WAC race by most preseason publications after having been predicted for a seventh place finish in 2007. Instead, that 4-4 mark was good enough to share fourth place with Nevada and San Jose State.
MEDIA GUIDE ON SALE: Tech fans can get a further “fix” on the upcoming season by purchasing the 2008 media guide that is currently on sale.
Jam-packed with photos, information and statistics on the Bulldogs’ program, the booklet
is on sale for $25 and can be obtained by sending a check payable to the Tech Media Relations Department at P.O. Box 3166, Ruston, La., 71272 or by calling 318-257-3144 with credit card information.
The 208-page publication includes player and coach bios, season preview, newcomer information, opponent pages, record book and history sections as well as much more.
It also features a 37-page recruiting section that highlights some of the various features of the university and the football program.
REUNION TIME: The fourth annual Tech football reunion is scheduled for Aug. 30,
beginning at 2 p.m. at the Thomas Assembly Center.
It’s one of several events set up for Bulldogs’ fans prior to the season and home opener against Mississippi State University.
Dooley will be in attendance to greet Tech fans and former players at the event formerly known as the Lambright-Aillet reunion. Afterwards, fans are urged to join the tailgaters in “Tailgate Alley”, where the First National Bank will provide complimentary food and drinks.
There is no charge for the reunion, but fans are urged to contact one of the following committee members:
Bobby Aillet, 865-1693; Charlie Bourgeois, 255-4625; Carrell Dowies, 927-3212; Tom Hinton, 251-1436; Jerry Hudson, 243-0404; Matt Massey, 255-8789; Charlie New, 985-517-1258; Danny Norris, 240-308-1575; Joe Raymond Peace, 251-7197; Leo Sanford, 635-2682; Ronnie Wiggins, 255-1029; and A.L. Williams, 768-2349.
Other Sports Headlines
