Monday, November 09, 2009

Chances to win over $500 in cash, a Nintendo Wii, and free food/tailgate games for the first 250 fans on tap for Friday's festivities

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Nov. 9, 2009) - Last season the Lady Bucs drew a record-setting 3,459 fans when ETSU "Packed the House" against nationally ranked Vanderbilt in its season opener. On Friday night when the Lady Bucs host longtime in-state and former SoCon rival Chattanooga, ETSU looks to smash the record en route to winning its second consecutive NCAA Pack the House Challenge in 2009-10.

Fans who attend Friday's game will have the chance to win over $500 cash courtesy of Phil Bachman Toyota, $100 in the Johnson City Honda Shoot for Cash, and the first 250 people who come through the gates will be treated with free food and pre-game tailgate festivities. In addition, ETSU students in attendance have the opportunity to sign up to win a Nintendo Wii that night, as well as enhance their chances to win a $1,000 cash prize at the end of the season.

Tip-off between ETSU and Chattanooga is set for 7 p.m. inside Memorial Center. A special ticket incentive is also built into Friday night's game, with admission being $1.

"We couldn't ask for a better way to start the season with the Lady Bucs opening up against in-state rival Chattanooga and celebrating our NCAA Pack the House game for 2009-10," commented Sara Hacker, ETSU's Marketing and Promotions Coordinator. "The ETSU women's basketball grant team and marketing staff have put together an unforgettable evening for our fans this Friday night. There will be free food, an affordable ticket price ($1), and chances to win money and great prizes. We ask the Johnson City community to join us on Friday night as the Lady Bucs begin to work towards another remarkable season and break our attendance record from last year. It was such a great success last season as ETSU was announced the Atlantic Sun Conference Champion of the NCAA Pack the House initiative - and we want to win it again!"

The Lady Bucs have had a lot of success in the NCAA Pack the House promotion over the last two seasons. In 2007-08, ETSU defeated conference foe Kennesaw State, 81-77, in front of then a program-record 1,236 fans. Last season, the Lady Bucs nearly tripled that mark with their crowd of 3,459 against 12^th ranked Vanderbilt, and this season the ETSU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, in correlation with the NCAA "Pack the House" promotion, is trying to break the mark for a third consecutive year.

Once again the NCAA is asking every Division I program to participate in a national competition to "Pack the House" at a selected home game during the 2009-10 regular season. NCAA member schools will compete against schools in their own conference as well as all Division I schools for a chance to be the 2010 NCAA Women's Basketball Pack the House Challenge Champion.

Throughout the last couple of years, the NCAA have been looking to grow the sport of women's basketball by building upon successes and preparing for the next generation of women's college basketball players and fans. This is an opportunity to further develop national grassroots programs aimed at increasing attendance and awareness.

"I think the NCAA and our Athletic Department are doing a tremendous job to promote women's basketball and increase awareness in the Tri-Cities area," added head coach Karen Kemp. "Not only will fans get to see a great rivalry game with ETSU and Chattanooga, but they will have a fun-filled evening from start to finish. We definitely need all the support on Friday night - and I guarantee if fans show up - they will be treated to a great night." 

In addition to having a chance to win the cash prizes and Nintendo Wii, ETSU fans can also enjoy pregame festivities which includes - tailgating (first 250 fans to enter the gates get free food), inflatable games and free poster making for children, tailgating games such as Cornhole and Lasso Golf, as well as free give-a-ways throughout the evening.

Meanwhile, a lot area groups will be in attendance to help make history, as the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Girl Scouts of the Tri-Cities, Johnson City Rotary Club, Girls Inc. of Kingsport, Lions Club of Elizabethton, Johnson City Business & Professional Women, and CHAC Youth basketball of Kingsport will be on hand cheering and supporting the Lady Bucs.   

For more information on Lady Buccaneer basketball, visit www.ETSUBucs.com today.