By Rob Schabert, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The volunteers will be wearing purple and gold Saturday night.

Tennessee Tech Athletics is inviting the hundreds of people who served recently as volunteers for a couple of community events to be guests Saturday when the Golden Eagle men’s basketball team hosts Southeast Missouri State in an Ohio Valley Conference game in Eblen Center.

Some 750 volunteers helped make the 2013 TSSAA Blue Cross Bowl another resounding success. As a way of saying ‘thank you’ for all their efforts, Tech is giving each volunteer four free tickets to Saturday’s game.

Many of the TSSAA volunteers picked up vouchers Tuesday during an Appreciation Luncheon. All volunteers who were not able to attend or pick up their vouchers may pick up tickets at the Chamber of Commerce offices, located in the Leslie Towne Centre.

The second group of volunteers being invited was seen – and heard -- around Cookeville throughout the holiday season: the Bell Ringers supporting the fund raising efforts for the Cookeville Rescue Mission.

Those volunteers who braved the cold and manned the collection buckets may also receive four tickets to the game. Volunteers must pick up their tickets Thursday evening at a Victory Celebration being held at the Wilhite Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, beginning at 6 p.m., a block from the Rescue Mission.

For more information on the Rescue Mission event, please call 529-3651.

The game begins at 7 p.m., and will feature a Golden Eagle team that is currently 3-1 in the OVC. Coach Steve Payne’s team has won three of its last four, and owns a 7-1 record at home this season.

Saturday’s game is also Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day for TTU employees. For further information, please call the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center at (931) 372-3940.