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Pregame festivities feature Army's Oath of Enlistment ceremony

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Fans arriving early to tailgate before the Golden Eagle football game against UT Martin on Thursday night will have an extra treat to enjoy -- Nashville recording group Due West will be the featured musical guest during pregame festivities in the Magic 98.5 Tailgate Park next to Tucker Stadium.

The Magic 98.5 Tailgate Park opens at 4 p.m. and kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Due West is scheduled to play from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m.

Due West includes Tim Gates, Brad Hull and Matt Lopez, all hailing from small towns out West. Gates is from Richfield, Utah, Hull comes from Thatcher, Ariz., and Lopez is a native of Sheridan, Wyo.

The band's debut single, "I Get That all The Time" peaked at #17 on the Music Row chart, the highest charting independent single of 2009. The video for the song reached #3 on the GAC Top 20 Countdown and features the band members' families.

Due West's influences in music include Diamond Reo, McBride & The Ride, Shenandoah and Alabama. All three members are full-time songwriters and have earned cuts by Lady Antebellum, Bucky Covington and the Gaither Brothers. The band members all wrote songs on their upcoming album.

The game against UT Martin is Tech's first of three in defense of the Sgt. York Trophy, which the Golden Eagles captured last year with wins over Austin Peay, UT Martin and Tennessee State.

The night also features three special events -- Military Appreciation Night, Public Safety Appreciation Night, and the Football Alumni Reunion.

Included in the Military Appreciation Night, a pregame event will include a large number of Army recruits taking the Oath of Enlistment.

As part of the reunion, all former Golden Eagles will be recognized along with a special tribute to the 50th anniversary of the 1960 OVC Championship team.

For information on any of the events, please call the Athletics Ticket office at (931) 372-3940.

Tickets for the game against the Skyhawks are on sale at the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center, online at TTUsports.com, or by calling (931) 372-3940.