COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech's annual Gathering of Eagles picnic and scrimmage, scheduled for Saturday, August 17 inside Tucker Stadium, will feature a couple of new activities this year as coach Watson Brown and his staff will host morning clinics for youth and women.

The event, an annual gathering of football fans, families and other followers, will still feature free food and drinks, football posters and schedule cards for every fan. The picnic begins at 12 noon.

The Golden Eagle football team will kick off its final fall scrimmage at 1 p.m. Following the scrimmage, members of the team will sign posters and meet with fans.

Fans can enjoy hot dogs, chips, cookies and soft drinks during the event, as the team gears up for its season opener against Cumberland on Thursday, Aug. 29.

Details for the Youth Clinic and Women's Clinic will be announced.

"From a fan's perspective, this event has proven to be a lot of fun," Brown said. "It gives fans a chance to come out and have some good food, watch some football, and get to know the players. Adding these clinics will just bring another perspective, and I think they'll be geared toward fun and understanding the game and our team."

The scrimmage is also vital to preparations for the season.

"From the coach's perspective, the final scrimmage will give our team a good opportunity to evaluate where we stand at that point during camp, and where we need to get to before our first game," he said. "It will also give the coaching staff a chance to look at some film and fill in some open spots on the depth chart."

The team enters its seventh season under Brown's direction, and promises to bring plenty of action into the 2013 season and a renewed effort toward capturing another Ohio Valley Conference championship.

"The Gathering of Eagles is a great event to get our fans excited about the approaching football season," TTU Director of Athletics Mark Wilson said. "It has been growing every year, and everybody seems to really enjoy it, from the student-athletes and the fans, to the coaching staff, and everybody who helps put on the event.

"We're excited about adding clinics to the event," Wilson added. "Coach Brown is a fantastic teacher, whether he's working with our own student-athletes, or with youth or other fans. It should be a very rewarding day for everyone involved."

The Golden Eagles will host six home football games during the 2013 season, opening against Cumberland on Thursday, Aug. 29. After that, Tech will welcome Tennessee State (Sept. 21), followed by Indiana State (Sept. 28), UT Martin (Thursday, Oct. 10), Jacksonville State (Homecoming Oct. 26) and Austin Peay (Nov. 23).

For season ticket information, contact the Tennessee Tech Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center or call 931-372-3940. Tickets are also on sale online at TTUsports.com.