COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A challenge has been issued to Tennessee Tech's student organizations, and it all begins Saturday at the first home football game of the 2015 season.

Tech Athletics is hosting a competition among student organizations that features a themed-tailgate at home football games. In addition, at each of the home games there will be a contest for student organizations to battle with each other.

For the first game Saturday against Mercer, Athletics will hold a mini corn hole tournament among student groups. Subsequent contests include a hamburger-cooking contest (Oct. 3), a pumpkin-carving contest (Oct. 17), and a Fall-Ath-Alon with mini contests (Nov. 21).

"We're hoping to increase student involvement during tailgating, and we hope these competitive events will build into a major competition on campus," said Leveda Dexter, coordinator of athletics corporate sales and marketing.

The student organization with the most overall points after the Nov. 21 final home game will win the choice of a customized tent or customized cooler.

The themed-tailgate competition will include judging based on the overall theme of the tailgate, including table, tent, attire and attendance. Points will be awarded weekly on each contest.

The members of Kappa Delta captured the competition last year, receiving a customized tent for use at this year's tailgating activities.

The student tailgating area is in the grassy lot next to the tennis courts, just west of the large, inflatable Golden Eagle football helmet. Tailgating spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

A box of meat, varying weekly from hot dogs to chicken to hamburgers, will be provided to each student organization that contacts Athletics Marketing and Promotions Coordinator Jesse Bunch by noon on the Thursday prior to each game.

Contact Bunch with any additional questions. He can be reached at jbunch@tntech.edu or by calling (931) 372-3928.