JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 8, 2007) - With a student referendum vote approaching on April 10 and 11, the ETSU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, the Pirate Club, and the Buc Wild student organization are gearing up for two special events in an effort to promote the return of Buccaneer football.

The first gathering is scheduled for April 9, at the Basler Center for Physical Activity (CPA) from 5 to 7 p.m., with the second event set for April 10 at the Borchuck Plaza in front of the Sherrod Library from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Both rallies will have giveaways that include "Vote Yes for Football" buttons, posters, t-shirts and mini-footballs, as well as inflatable games and a DJ from Funville. The April 10 gathering will feature the Tri-Cities largest cookie thanks to Cookies by Design, as well as visits from former ETSU football players such as Adam Walton and Matt Wilhjelm.        

Those involved with the tailgate hope this will be an opportunity for students to ask questions about the football program and the proposed student athletic fee which will fund football's operational costs. ETSU athletic administrators will also be on hand to talk about the future of the overall Buccaneer program and the importance of the student vote.

"A football program at ETSU would add prestige to the university as well as get the alumni to want to come back and support the school," said Kevin Bostian, Director of Regional Athletic Advancement, Marketing and Outside Sales. "ETSU football would give the school national press coverage from television such as ESPN, and this would lead to more school pride and tradition. The Buc Wild organization is hoping that this event along with a football program will help get students more involved on campus."

Leita Waldau, the acting president for Buc Wild, said these gatherings will be social in nature, allowing students to learn more about the proposed football program and how important their vote will be on April 10 and 11.

"We want to get football back as soon as possible with the student's support," Waldau said. "Football is going to be such a great social event for this campus and a way for the students to have a better college experience at ETSU. These tailgate parties are just the start of that atmosphere and we hope it is a way to remind students to vote and to have a voice on campus."

Sponsors for the two events include Subway, Pepsi, Funville, Mayfield Dairy, Cookies by Design, and Buc Friends of Football.

For more on ETSU football's return, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the "New Era" football helmet.