Vote on which uniform the Bucs will wear in 2015 home opener

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (May 26, 2015) – 100 days and counting … 

For the ETSU football program, today stands as another major date in the “Countdown to Kickoff,” as the Buccaneers are now just 100 days removed from playing their first game at home against Kennesaw State on Sept. 3, 2015. 

To mark today’s significance the ETSU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is releasing information on tickets, parking and the upcoming seat draft, along with a fan vote to determine which uniform combination the Buccaneers will wear on Sept. 3 versus Kennesaw State. 

In addition, we look back at some of the major milestones, announcements and achievements of the ETSU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and the football program since the announcement of football’s return on April 2, 2013. 

TICKET INFORMATION

The Buccaneers will play their first two seasons at Johnson City’s Kermit Tipton Stadium. 

Prices for each section can be found on the color-coded map below: 

Click here to purchase season tickets online or call the ETSU Ticket Office at (423) 439-3878 for additional information. 

DRAFT SELECTION PROCESS

Similar to the process for season tickets at Freedom Hall, fans will have the opportunity to select their preferred seats at Kermit Tipton Stadium. 

Today (May 26) marks the priority deadline for purchasing season tickets and being part of the Priority Point seat selection draft that will occur from June 15-July 2. 

The process will utilize a priority points system and rank donors according to their historical and cumulative giving to ETSU athletics. Season ticket holders will have the opportunity to personally select or block their seats based on donor rank. Fans wishing to improve their rank for seat selection may do so by making donations to the athletic department prior to the deadline. 

Fans with questions are also encouraged to call the ETSU athletics ticket office at 423-439-3878. 

PARKING INFORMATION

Fans who purchase season tickets are also eligible to purchase a season parking permit.   

The number of permits a fan is eligible for will be directly related to the number of season tickets they purchase, as well as the size and type of vehicle they will be bringing to the stadium. Below is the breakdown of how many parking permits a fan can purchase in correlation to number of season tickets purchased: 

1 to 4 season tickets = 1 parking permit
5 to 8 season tickets = 2 parking permits
9 to 12 Season Tickets = 3 parking permits

13 to 16 season tickets = 4 parking permits

17 to 20 season tickets = 5 parking permits 

Parking will be chosen in donor rank order during the seat selection draft in June 

Car parking permits are $25.00, while RV permits are $100 

Click here for parking permit order form 

Click here for parking map 

FAN VOTE FOR ETSU’S HOME UNIFORM

The ETSU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is inviting its fans to decide on the Buccaneers’ uniform combination for the 2015 home opener. Starting on Tuesday, May 26, fans will have several ways to submit their vote. Below are the voting options: 

1. Online vote -- Click here to vote on your favorite combination choice 

2. Visit the official Twitter page of ETSU Football (@ETSUFootball) and FAVORITE your top uniform combination 

3. Visit the official Facebook page of ETSU Football (ETSU Buccaneer Football) and LIKE your top uniform combination 

4. Visit ETSU's official Instagram page (@etsuathletics) and like your top uniform combination 

Voting will run throughout the summer and the winning uniform combination will be announced when fall classes resume in late August.    

ETSU Football Timeline 

To take a quick look back and where the program has been over the last two years, check out the FOOTBALL TIMELINE below: 

January 15, 2012 – Dr. Brian Noland named president of East Tennessee State University

May 10, 2012 – Dr. Noland forms the Committee for 125 and charges the group to provide recommendations for programmatic changes across the university

December 5, 2012 – The report from the Committee for 125 recommends reinstating a new football program at ETSU.

January 15, 2013 – Dr. Noland names Dr. Richard Sander to the position of Interim Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. The interim tag is removed just a few months later.

January 29, 2013 – The ETSU Student Government Association votes and approves a $125 per semester student athletic fee specifically for funding of a football program. 

March 29, 2013 – The Tennessee Board of Regents certifies ETSU’s Student Government Association vote and approves the increase in student fees to support football.

April 2, 2013 – ETSU holds a press conference to announce the return of football to campus. At that time, it is also announced that former University of Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer will be hired to act as a special consultant for football and to help lead the search for a new head coach.

April 3, 2013 – It is announced that a new “Kickoff Fund” has been initiated, asking donors to give at least $250 per year (the same as students had agreed to pay) to help support the football program.

June 11, 2013 – At a called press conference, ETSU announces it will be leaving the Atlantic Sun Conference and will be rejoining the Southern Conference at the start of the 2014-15 season.

June 21, 2013 – ETSU hires former North Carolina head football coach Carl Torbush as its new head coach.

July 27, 2013 – ETSU hosts the first annual Carl Torbush High School Football Coaches Clinic inside the Culp Center on campus. Torbush, Fulmer and other college coaches address the group.

July 29, 2013 – Torbush announces that he has hired former ETSU player and assistant coach Billy Taylor to return to the program as the team’s defensive coordinator.

July 31, 2013 – Torbush hires former University of Tennessee cornerback and Kingsport, Tenn., native Teddy Gaines as his second assistant coach. Gaines will coach defensive backs and work with special teams.

Sept. 7, 2013 – ETSU host the first annual Women’s Football Clinic, hosted by Torbush and his staff, inside the ETSU/MSHA Athletic Center.

Sept. 13, 2013 – For the first time in 10 years, ETSU football coaches hit the recruiting trail in anticipation of signing the program’s first class in February of 2014.

Nov. 2, 2013 – The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics hosts a special Homecoming reunion event for former football players as part of the weekend activities.

Nov. 5, 2013 – ETSU announces it has signed a new licensing and apparel deal with Nike to provide gear for football, as well as other Buccaneer teams.

Nov. 14, 2013 – During a called press conference, it is announced that ETSU’s first opponent will be fellow first-year program Kennesaw State, and the game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 3, 2015.

Feb. 5, 2014 – ETSU announces first recruiting class in preparation for 2015 season.

May 15, 2014 – Former N.C. State head coach Mike O’Cain named ETSU offensive coordinator

July 10, 2014 – ETSU alumni Erik Losey named offensive line coach

Sept. 3, 2014 – Bucs host first Media Day in over 10 years.

Sept. 15, 2014 – Bucs hold first official practice in over 10 years.

Sept. 27, 2014 – Over 3,000 fans turn out for an all-day tailgate event at ETSU Game Time 101, which is highlighted by the team’s first official Blue-Gold Scrimmage.

Nov. 1, 2014 – On a snowy, frigid day, the Bucs participate in ETSU Homecoming by playing the team’s final Blue-Golf scrimmage of the fall.

Dec. 18, 2014 – Coach Torbush releases the team’s 2015 schedule, a 10-game slate that includes six home games and four road contests.

Feb. 4, 2015 – The Buccaneers announce their second recruiting class, a group that includes 45 commitments, of which 26 are Tennessee residents.

Feb. 6, 2015 – It is announced that the Buccaneers will face the University of Tennessee on the gridiron on Sept. 8, 2018 at tradition-rich Neyland Stadium.

Feb. 10 & 11, 2015 – Coach Torbush announces the addition of former Bucs Mike Rader and Scott Brumett to the coaching staff

Feb. 15, 2015 – The ETSU football program reaches the “200 Days Until Kickoff” milestone

Feb. 20, 2015 – Coach Torbush announces the addition of Antonio Goss to the coaching staff

March 4, 2015 – Coach Torbush announces the addition of Gary Downs to the coaching staff

March 16, 2015 – ETSU adds 11th game to 2015 schedule; Bucs to play at Montana State on Oct. 24

March 18, 2015 – ETSU athletics official launches football stadium campaign and announces stadium site

March 25, 2015 – Dunkin’ Donuts-Roadrunner announce $1 million donation to ETSU football stadium

April 11, 2015 – ETSU football plays the Mountain States Health Alliance Blue-Gold scrimmage game to conclude the first spring practice since 2003. During the game, local business man and philanthropist Scott Niswonger presents leadership gift of $1 million to the ETSU football stadium campaign.

April 27, 2015 – The Buccaneers officially unveil the team’s new football and band uniforms for the 2015 season.

May 4, 2015 – General Shale makes commitment to provide a half-million bricks to the construction of the new ETSU football stadium.

May 26, 2015 – Bucs reach 100 days until kickoff. 

For more information on Buccaneer football, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the football page.