By Rob Schabert, TTU Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information & Broadcasting

Click here to view the 2015 Golden Eagle football schedule

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – It's shaping up to be another special season in Tucker Stadium for the Tennessee Tech football team and Golden Eagle fans.

Several events that have become traditions at Golden Eagle home contests – including some new traditions that have caught on quickly – are scheduled again to highlight the 2015 season.

In addition to each of the special gameday events, the popular Golden Eagle Walk will return for a third year. The Golden Eagle Walk presents the entire team in a stroll through the 98.5 Kiss FM Tailgate Park as they head into the stadium for the game. The tailgate park will also feature appearances by the Golden Eagle Marching Band plus the Cheer and Dance teams and Awesome Eagle in pregame performances.

The on-field action for coach Watson Brown and his team starts Saturday, Sept. 19, when the Golden Eagles host Mercer University at 6 p.m. CT. This first home game will feature three special promotions, including long-time events Communiversity Night and First Tennessee Bank Poster Night. For the annual Communiversity Night, Golden Eagle Athletics joins forces with businesses, partners and supporters throughout the community. For First Tennessee Bank Poster Night, free schedule posters will be available for fans attending the contest.

Another special activity slated for the home opener is the third annual Running of the Freshmen. In each of the past two years, more than 800 new Tech students raced onto the field with the team prior to kickoff, led by President Dr. Philip Oldham. Each participant receives a free t-shirt and the experience of a lifetime.

The second home game, a visit from UT Martin on Saturday night, Oct. 3, will be the Golden Eagles first of three home games in the series for the Sgt. York Trophy. That game will be the focal point of the university's annual Family Weekend. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. It is also Military and Public Safety Appreciation Night, as well as Football Legends Night.

Military and Public Safety Appreciation Night will bring special recognition to members of the U.S. Armed Forces, both active and retired, as well as personnel who work in all public safety fields. Football Legends Night is a football alumni homecoming of sorts, with all former Golden Eagle players invited to take part in the expanded activities. More details will be announced later, as well as the teams that will be recognized as special guests.

“Military and Public Safety Appreciation Night is a special event for Tennessee Tech football,” said TTU Director of Athletics Mark Wilson. "We are all so grateful to our military and our public safety personnel, and this will give Golden Eagle fans a small opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to the men and women who serve in those fields.”

Two weeks later, the Golden Eagles host Jacksonville State in the final night game of the home schedule with another 6 p.m. start against the Gamecocks on Saturday, Oct. 17. The contest has been slated for Golden Eagle Blackout IV, with fans encouraged to wear black to the game. Free, specially designed blackout t-shirts will be given out to early entries into the stadium.

Following a bye week to open the month of November, the Golden Eagles will resume their quest for the Sgt. York trophy when Austin Peay visits for a 1:30 p.m. game on Saturday, Nov. 14. That rivalry contest will be the focal point of Tech's annual Homecoming festivities, following the annual Homecoming Parade. Hall of Fame activities will take place Friday night and Saturday at the game.

A week later on Nov. 21, for the final game of the regular season, the team will recognize its seniors as they play their final regular season home game in Tucker Stadium. It's a 1:30 p.m. contest against another in-state rival, Tennessee State, a game which could determine the winner of the Sgt. York Trophy, as well as the OVC title. The finale will be Youth Football Day and Take A Kid To The Game Day, with a free child admission for each paid adult admission.

Wilson said the schedule of special events should enhance the game experience for Golden Eagle fans as Tech bids to capture an Ohio Valley Conference championship.

“All of these are events that we feel enhance the atmosphere and provide an exciting framework for the action on the field for coach [Watson] Brown and his team,” said Wilson.             

"Many of these events have become familiar traditions for our fans, while some were brand new the past few years and became instant traditions," he added. "We hope to continue to build upon the excitement and enthusiasm that has been generated over the past years under coach Brown. Our staff will continue to reach out to include groups, organizations, and every college football fan in the area."

More details for each special event will be announced as each game approaches, or fans can contact the Athletics Ticket Office for additional information.

Season tickets for Tech football can be purchased at the TTU Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center, online at TTUsports.com, or by calling (931) 372-3940.

2015 Golden Eagle Football Special Events: