JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (August 29, 2006) - To bolster pride and enthusiasm for the Buccaneers, the ETSU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will be taking to the road over the next month as part of the first-ever Buccaneer Caravan.

            With events scheduled at various sites around the Mountain Empire, ETSU coaches, student-athletes and administrators will be joined by current Pirate Club members to build excitement heading into the 2006-07 competitive season. According to Director of Business and Ticket Operations Adam Walton, the goal of the Buccaneer Caravan will be to promote ticket sales, Pirate Club membership, and generally get people talking about the Buccaneers.

            "We understand the importance of going out to the community to personally promote our program," Walton said. "This caravan is just the first step in our efforts to increase community support and involvement in ETSU athletics."

            The Buccaneer Caravan gets underway tonight with a stop in the Roundtree/Briarwood neighborhood of Johnson City. Each event will feature food and beverages, as well as opportunities for fans to talk with ETSU coaches and players, ask for autographs, purchase tickets or merchandise, and generally learn more about the Bucs.

            For more information on the Buccaneer Caravan, contact Walton at 423-439-8213 or e-mail him at [email protected].

2006 Buccaneer Caravan Dates

August 29^th:

            Host:  Dr. Bill and Marcy Walker's House

            Location:  Dr. Bill and Marcy Walker's House (Roundtree/Briarwood)

            Time:  6:00 pm

September 1^st:

            Host:  Ken Bates, Jim Wells, and Bill Hamilton

            Location:  Meade Auditorium (Kingsport)

            Time:  6:00 pm

September 7^th:

            Host:  Adam Walton

            Location:  Carter at Main (Elizabethton)

            Time:  6:00 pm

September 12th:

September 18^th:

            Host:  A.D. Jones/Scott Place

            Location:  Tri-Cities Golf Course (Bristol)

            Time: TBA

September 19^th:

            Host:  Susie and Jack Williams

            Location:  Susie and Jack Williams' House (The Gump Adition)

            Time:  6:00 pm

September 21^st:

            Host:  Clem Wilkes

            Location:  Clem Wilkes' House (Carroll Creek Subdivisions)

            Time:  6:00 pm

September 25^th:

            Host:  Neil Poland

            Location:  Neil Poland's House (Highland Gate/Hayes Farm Estates)

            Time:  6:00 pm

September 26^th:

            Host:  Dr. Linda Garceau

            Location:  Strawberry Fields Clubhouse (Strawberry Fields, Mitzbah Hills,

            Alexander Grove)

            Time:  6:00 pm

September 28^th:

            Host:  Greeneville Rep

            Location:  General Morgan Inn (Greeneville)

            Time:  6:00 pm