Saturday's Football Gameday Guide
BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Florida Atlantic hosts Army West Point at Howard Schnellenberger Field at FAU Stadium on Saturday in the American Athletic Conference opener for both programs. The game kicks at 12 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
Saturday is Military Appreciation Day with a number of activities and activations planned in and around the stadium to honor those that have served or are actively serving our nation. Active and retired military personnel can still take advantage of a free ticket offer by clicking here.
General public tickets start at $20 and can be purchased here, or by calling 1-866-FAU-OWLS. Ticket prices increase on the day of the game. To avoid lines and increased charges, buy your tickets in advance. Tickets for FAU students are free and can be claimed by clicking here.
To avoid congestion at the gates, fans are encourage to download their tickets digitally on a smartphone or mobile device.
Fans should arrive early as pregame festivities begin approximately 30 minutes before kickoff with parachute jumpers arriving to deliver the game ball, followed by a performance from the Marching Owls and the national anthem performance from local recording artist Aileen Rosario alongside a giant American flag on the field.
Other events happening during the game include a recognition of the ServePro Hometown Hero of the Game, 95-year old Delray Beach resident Lou Shimkin, who served in the Korean War. A military swearing-in ceremony will occur at halftime, while an array of military vehicles will be parked in the Fan Zone near Gates 1 and 2.
Tailgating may begin when parking lots open at 8 a.m. (four hours prior to kickoff), and don't miss the first Owl Walk of the year at 9:30 a.m. in its new location for 2024 – as the team unloads the buses and walks through the Student Tailgates in Lot 5 before entering the team. Click here to buy parking in advance.
General stadium gates open at 10:30 a.m., with some premium access gates opening earlier. FAU Stadium operates with a Clear Bag policy. The National Guard will be stationed in the Fan Zone handing out 2,000 clear bags on Saturday.
For other stadium and fan information, click here.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television: CBS Sports Network
Kickoff time: 12:03 p.m. ET
Announcers: Jordan Kent (play-by-play), Logan Ryan (analyst), Tom Wicks (producer)
Channel Finder: Comcast | Verizon | Direct TV | Dish Network
Radio: Florida Atlantic Sports Network
Pregame Show: 11:30 a.m.
Announcers: Ken LaVicka (play-by-play), Chris Newbold (analyst), Mike Mrezko (host, engineer), Frank Forte (sidelines)
Channel: FOX Sports 640 South Florida
Streaming: Listen Live
WEATHER
- 89 degrees at kickoff with partly sunny skies
- Please take precautions by staying hydrated and protected from the sun. Concessions will be stocked with plenty of water and other beverages, while cooling stations will be located both inside and outside the stadium gates.
- Fans may bring one unopened bottle of water per patron into the stadium.
SPONSORS
- Gameday Sponsor: ADT
- Season-long Football Sponsor: Shiner Law Group
MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY FESTIVITIES
- Florida National Guard Clear Bag Giveaway - The FL National Guard will hand out clear bags outside Gates 1 and 2 while supplies last.
- Military Vehicle Displays - Various military vehicles will be staged in the Fan Zone area to view and tour before kickoff.
- Parachute Jumpers - The FrogX aerial jump team will sky dive into the stadium at approximately 11:30 a.m. Be in your seats!
- Large American Flag - A large USA flag will be on the field for the National Anthem and the Marching Owls' Military Appreciation-themed halftime show.
- Game Day Programming - Various military recognitions will take place throughout the game, including a live swear-in at halftime as young men and women are sworn into the U.S. Army.
FROGX AERIAL JUMP TEAM
- Nix White is a retired Navy Seal of 20 years, who has performed more than 7,000 jumps.
- JC Ledbetter is a retired Navy SWCC of 20 years, who has performed more than 20,000 Jumps.
- The ground safety officer is Shawn Tufts, a retired Navy Senior Chief with more than 20 years of service and 4,000 jumps.
HONORARY CAPTAINS, PRESENTED BY ADT
- COL Sherdrick Rankin – Colonel Sherdrick Rankin is the Brigade Commander for 2nd Recruiting Brigade out of Red Stone, Alabama. COL Rankin enlisted in the Army in 1994 where he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He then commissioned in 2001 after attending Officer Candidate School and has served as a Quartermaster and Logistician.
- COL Jason Dumser – Colonel Jason Dumser is the Brigade Commander for 6th Brigade, US Army Cadet Command out of Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. COL Dumser earned his commission after completing ROTC at Ball State University in 2003 and served as an Infantry Lieutenant before switching to the Adjutant General Corps.
- Dr. Jeraline Johnson – In 2019 Dr. Johnson was sworn in as a new Civilian Aide to The Secretary of the Army for Florida South by former Secretary of the Army, Ryan McCarthy. Dr. Jeraline Johnson has 30 years of educational experience with the School District of Palm Beach County. Since 2017, she has served as the Director for the Department of Choice and Career Options, overseeing all Choice, Magnet, and CTE programs.
- 1SG Hector Orsini – First Sergeant Orsini joined the Puerto Rico National Guard in November of 2000. In 2007 he joined the United States Army as part of the Military Police, until entering the Recruiting Command in 2012. He is currently serving as Jupiter Recruiting Company First Sergeant.
- 1LT Krys Kyle - First Lieutenant Krys Kyle is a Class of 2022 West Point Graduate and an active-duty Chemical Officer. LT Kyle played for the Army Football team in 2018. He is currently serving as the Executive Officer of Jupiter Recruiting Company.
NATIONAL ANTHEM PERFORMER
- Aileen Rosario
SERVEPRO HOMETOWN HERO OF THE GAME
- Lou Shimkin -- Lou is a Korean War veteran, who lives in Delray Beach with his wife, Rose. He was drafted into the Army in January 1951, six months before North Korea's invasion into South Korea. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953. After his service he became an English teacher at Atlantic Community High School in Delray Beach, Florida.
- To nominate a Hometown Hero for a future game, click here.
OWL WALK
- Join us for the Owl Walk! The journey will begin at the student tailgating lot in Lot 5. The team will make its way through the student tailgates before heading towards Gate 5 of the stadium. Join us at the Owl Walk and grab official team posters, t-shirts while supplies last and other promotional items. The team is set to arrive around 9:30 a.m. We'll see you out there!
— Florida Atlantic Football (@FAUFootball) September 5, 2024A Game Day Tradition: The Owl Walk 🦉 🚶
Every home game, 2.5 hours before kickoff 🏈
Come find the Marketing team Saturday at 9:30 a.m. by Gate 5 for posters, promo items and t-shirts (while supplies last)! pic.twitter.com/XwW4RfMtNT
PARADISE PRICING & CONCESSIONS
- Two concessions locations in the stadium are Paradise Pricing stands (behind sections 215 and 226) offering fan-friendly prices on beer, seltzers and mixed drinks, along with soda, snacks and hot dogs.
- FAU is proud to continue the popular Paradise Pricing options as we continue to make Florida Atlantic Football one of the most affordable entertainment options in this market.
- The Paradise Pricing menu, with the complete concessions map are available below.
- Patrons will also notice a myriad of offerings at our concessions stands, from your standard fare hot dogs and hamburgers to more custom offerings like Tacos Al Carbon, Boca Latina, Jeremiah's Ice Cream, Funky Love and 305 Crepes
TEAM STORE AND ITEM OF THE GAME
- Grab your official 2024 Military Appreciation Day t-shirt at the bookstore, at the team shop on game day or online!
— #WinningInParadise (@FAUAthletics) September 6, 2024
CLEAR BAG POLICY
- The Florida National Guard will hand out clear bags outside Gates 1 and 2 while supplies last.
#WinningInParadise
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