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COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Don't let the balmy weather outside fool you...another blizzard is approaching Cookeville.

A blizzard that will erupt inside Tennessee Tech's Eblen Center, that is. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for Thursday's women's basketball game against Tennessee State to help fuel the next in a long tradition of blizzards at Golden Eagle games. Tech squares will be distributed, and fans will make the blizzard happen when the Golden Eagle women score their first basket.

The tradition began in them mid 80s, and flourished for years including at the OVC Women's Championship game against Middle Tennessee one year -- won by Tech. That instance is believed to be the only time a blizzard occurred in Eblen Center for a women's game, so Thursday's event will be an historic one.

Tennessee Tech Athletics officials remnd fans to adhere to OVC Sportsmanship guidelines, throwing the blizzard in the stands and not on the playing floor.

The blizzard returned to Eblen Center Monday night during the TTU men's game against Tennessee State, won by the Golden Eagles in the final seconds.

This game is crucial for coach Sytia Messer's team as it creeps closer to winning the 2011 OVC regular season championship. Tech's "magic number" is two, and the Golden Eagles (19-5/13-2 OVC) host their final three conference games at home in Eblen Center. Following Thursday's game against the TSU Lady Tigers, the Golden Eagle women will host Austin Peay on Saturday (Feb. 19) and wrap up the season with a visit from Jacksonville State next Saturday (Feb. 26).

For tickets or more information, please call the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center (931) 372-3940.