COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Members of Tennessee Tech's newest basketball cheering group, the Hoop Troop kids club, can bring a friend with them free to the women's basketball game against Marshall University on Wednesday night. Tipoff is at 7 p.m., and the ticket office in Eblen Center will open at 1 p.m. that day. Gates to enter the arena open at 6 p.m.

Any Hoop Troop member coming to the game is allowed to bring one friend, ages 3 through 18, who is not a member of the Hoop Troop. When checking into the game that night, simply go to the ticket office to receive the friend's free admission voucher.

Young basketball fans are invited to join the Hoop Troop, an official kids "club" to follow Tennessee Tech Basketball in 2011-12.  The Hoop Troop is for young fans, ages 3 through 18, to cheer for the Golden Eagle men's and women's teams as they bid for Ohio Valley Conference championships this winter in Eblen Center.

"We have a lot of young fans who come to our basketball games, and we wanted to make coming to Eblen Center and supporting our teams become something special for these young fans," said Mark Wilson, TTU Director of Athletics.

"The goal of the Hoop Troop is to help the next generation of Golden Eagle fans to connect with and learn more about some of their favorite players and teams, while also taking in the values and traditions that Tennessee Tech tries to reflect in all we do," Wilson said.

The Hoop Troop is an interactive fan club designed exclusively for young Tennessee Tech basketball fans. Members of the Hoop Troop receive an official membership card and lanyard and are admitted into every regular season home game in 2011-12. In addition, members will receive several unique rewards such as a specially designed Hoop Troop T-shirt.

Hoop Troop members who wear their shirt to Eblen Center will receive promotional items at selected games and will have the chance to participate in in-game activities. Members will have the opportunity to meet the coaches and players, receive a free Golden Eagle basketball poster.

The cost of a one-year membership is $25. Membership may be purchased at the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center or by calling (931) 372-3940. Non-members who decide to join the Hoop Troop can do so that night, or at any future TTU game.

For just $25, Hoop Troop membership includes:

• Official membership card and lanyard
• Free Admission to all 28 regular season home games
• Official Hoop Troop T-Shirt
• Chance to participate in special in-game activities
• Opportunity to be selected as an Official Tip-Off Kid at selected basketball games
• Special gift at selected home games
• Opportunity to meet Golden Eagle coaches and players
• Free Golden Eagle basketball poster
• And more!