JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Oct. 3, 2024)– After cracking the Top 25 for the first time this season, the ETSU football team gears up for its Southern Conference home opener as the 23rd-ranked Buccaneers host Chattanooga in The Rail Rivalry. Below are the "Things to Know" presented by Citizens Bank.
No. 1 – Kickoff - Saturday's game will kickoff at 3:32 p.m. ET at Bank of Tennessee Field at William B. Greene, Jr. Stadium. Saturday's game sponsor is Food City.
No. 2 – Collecting Donations for Hurricane Helene Relief – The ETSU and Chattanooga Athletic Departments have teamed up to collect donations for those impacted by Hurricane Helene. Bins will be set up in the Food City Fan Zone in Lot 21 as well as at each entrance to the stadium. Please click here, for more information and additional ways to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene.
No. 3 – Rail Rivalry – Saturday marks the sixth edition of the Rail Rivalry. The Rail, which is made from a former railroad tie that once connected Johnson City and Chattanooga, weighs 108 pounds – which represents the halfway point of the 216 miles that separate Johnson City and Chattanooga – and measuring five feet, seven inches in length – which marked the 57th meeting when the trophy was implemented in 2018. The Rail incorporates not only the wood of the railroad tie, but steel in honor of the rails that connected the ties on the track. The Rail also includes stars in the state of Tennessee to represent Johnson City and Chattanooga. In addition, the logos of both athletic programs are included on The Rail.
No. 4 – Men's Basketball Open Practice / Meet the Team Events – Prior to the Buccaneers hitting the gridiron on Saturday, fans can catch the ETSU men's basketball team on the hardwood. The Bucs will be holding an Open Practice and Meet the Team event beginning at 11 a.m. inside Brooks Gym. ETSU will scrimmage for approximately 45 minutes, while fans can get autographs and photos with the team afterwards.
No. 5 – Moving the Food City Fan Zone – The Food City Fan Zone will have a new location this season as it is moving to the Lot 21 tailgate area.
Opening four hours before kickoff, the Food City Fan Zone will include cornhole, the BrightRidge Media Zone and the Grill Talk Pregame Show with the Voice of the BucsJay Sandos.
The BrightRidge Media Zone will include complimentary Pepsi products as well as a space for fans to hang out and watch college football games from across the country. Also, "Grill Talk" with Jay Sandos will take place in the BrightRidge Media Zone beginning at 12 p.m. and it will end as the BucWalk begins.Before leaving the Fan Zone, fans are encouraged to stop by the Food City tent and pick up a rally towel, as the Bucs start a new tradition this season at the start of the fourth quarter.
No. 6 – A New Tradition Begins – A new tradition will begin this fall as home Buccaneer football games as fans can pick up their gold rally towel at the Food City Fan Zone and sing Wagon Wheel prior to the start of the fourth quarter.
No. 7 – The Buc Walk – The Buc Walk will have a new time this season as it will begin two hours and thirty minutes prior to kickoff. On Saturday, the Buc Walk will begin approximately at 1 p.m.
No. 8 – Gates Open 90 Minutes Prior to Kickoff – Gates to Greene Stadium will open 90 minutes prior to kickoff on Saturday. This week, gates to the stadium will open at 2 p.m.
No. 9 – A New Look Inside Greene Stadium – Fans will notice a new addition inside Greene Stadium this season as a Beer Garden, presented by Cherokee Distributing, will be set up on the behind the press tower. Fans will be able to hang out and watch our game on the Ford SuperScreen, while prior to the ETSU game, games from around the country will be broadcast live.
No. 10 – In-game Promotions – Fans will have the opportunity to potentially participate in four different in-game promotions this 2024 season. Three of these make their return from last year in the Great Clips Kicking Challenge, Food City Quarterback Skills Competition, and the BrightRidge HiSpeed Race. New for 2024, however, will be the Johnny Brusco's Pizza Scream. The loudest fan in one randomly selected section will win a pizza courtesy of Johnny Brusco's.
For more information stop by the Guest Services Tent located on the concourse in the endzone.
No. 11 – Guest Services Location:The Guest Services tent is will once again be in the north end of Greene Stadium. Fans can stop by the tent to ask questions, pick up ETSU Athletics promotional materials and enter to win the Follett Gear of the Game giveaway (can enter up until the start of the second half).
No. 12 – Selfie Station:The Selfie Station returns for another season! The Selfie Station will be set up at the Food City Fan Zone and in Lot 21 pregame, while it'll be moved into the Club Room during the game.
No. 13 – Broadcast Information – The Buccaneer Sports Network (BSN) will provide ETSU fans with complete pregame, in-game and postgame coverage on the Bucs' flagship station WXSM-AM 640 and those with HD radio can listen on 101.5 WQUT HD-2. Click here for live audio.
BSN begins its pregame programming one hour and 30 minutes prior to kickoff with the 30-minute Tennessee Lottery Tailgate Show, followed by the Pregame Show presented by Lafayette Heat & Air, which will lead up to 30 minutes prior to kickoff. The Appalachian Orthopedic Countdown to Kickoff will then lead into the final moments before kickoff.
The broadcast team of "Voice of the Bucs"Jay Sandos, analystMatt Wilhjelm, sideline reporterRobert Harper and Don Helman on statswill provide ETSU fans all the information they need to complement their game-day activities.
At halftime, the crew will have the Hometown Plumbing Halftime Show, while fans can tune into the Mullican Flooring Post Game Show for a full wrap up, with game statistics, players and coach interviews and other post-game information.
Saturday's game will also be broadcast on ESPN+ with the team of Keith Brake (play-by-play) and Buccaneer Hall of Fame member Mark Hustell (analyst) on the call.
No. 14 – Ticket Information – A limited number of tickets are still available for Saturday's game. For more information, clickhere. Students can pick up their tickets all week at the Carrier Center located on the second floor of the Culp Center or at the gate on gameday. Clickherefor student ticket info.
No. 15 - Tailgating:Parking lots will open Saturday at 8 a.m. Clickherefor the game day parking map.
No. 16 - Clear Bag Policy and Enhanced Security:ETSU has a clear bag policy for all home football games inside William B. Greene, Jr. Stadium. In addition, security procedures including metal detectors and security wands will be employed at entry gates. Prohibited items inside the stadium will include the following:
· Outside food and beverages (including alcoholic beverages)
· Illegal drugs
· Firearms
· Tobacco Products
· Strollers
· Backpacks
· Pets
· Umbrellas
· Camping/Tailgating chairs
No. 17 – LOUD NOISES:Fans are reminded the cannon will be utilized during Saturday's game.
For more information on Buccaneer football, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the football page.
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