May 3, 2005

The Stephen F. Austin State University Alumni Association and seven of its Charter Chapters will sponsor receptions in May and early June for head football coach Robert McFarland.

The Coach's Night receptions will be hosted in each chapter's respective city to provide alumni in those cities the opportunity to meet with McFarland and learn about his plans for the upcoming football season at SFA.

"This event will give Lumberjack fans the chance to come out and meet Coach McFarland and members of his staff," said Jim Jeter, associate vice president of alumni affairs.

The Coach's Night receptions are scheduled as follows: Bryan-College Station: 6-8 p.m., May 9 at Ninfa's, next to Post Oak Mall

Beaumont: 8 a.m., May 10, downtown at the Old Orange Café

Houston: 6-8 p.m., May 10, downtown at Drexler's Barbeque, 2330 Pierce Street

Fort Worth: 7-9 p.m., May 12 at the Pour Room, 209 W. 5th Street

Tyler: 6-8 p.m., May 16 at Rick's on the Square

Austin: 6 p.m., May 17, at Fox and Hound, 4th and Guadalupe

Longview: 6:30 p.m., June 8 at Papacita's, 305 W. Loop 281

For event RSVP information, please visit the SFA Alumni Association's website at www.sfaalumni.com and click on the Coach's Night link. Contacts for each reception are listed.

"I'm looking forward to the opportunity to meet with Lumberjack family throughout Texas," said McFarland. "I'm excited about Lumberjack football and about being back at SFA."

McFarland was named head football coach at SFA in December 2004. He previously was the assistant offensive line coach at SFA from 1991-1999. Before coming back to SFA, McFarland spent one season as the offensive line coach at East Carolina University. Prior to that he was the offensive line coach and offensive coordinator at the University of Central Florida.

While working in Florida, McFarland's offensive unit was ranked 11th in the nation in total offense and 6th in the nation in pass offense in 2002. Six of his Florida student athletes went on to the NFL. His offensive unit at Central Florida produced two 1,000-yard receivers and a 1,000-yard rusher in 2002, only the eighth time in NCAA history a team has accomplished this.

McFarland has coached teams in the Citrus Bowl, Gator Bowl and Orange Bowl. He has recruited Texas high schools and junior colleges throughout his career. He and his wife Pam have two children--Ashley, 14 and Koy, 9.