Getting Ready
July 31, 2007 SAN MARCOS - Exactly one full month separates Texas State University from its season-opening football game against Cal Poly on Sept. 1. Already, there is plenty of activity in and around Bobcat Stadium readying the facility for the 2007 season. Most folks are aware of the scoreboard project on campus. The initial project is the construction of a new video board for Bobcat Stadium. The two support beams are now in place and the running of cabling and electrical lines has commenced. The board itself is expected to ship from Daktronics' shop in Brookings, S.D., on Wednesday and the board will begin to take shape at the stadium next week. But beyond the scoreboard project, there are several other projects underway to improve aesthetics and provide fans a better experience on football Saturdays. Last year, the Texas State Fan Shop was added on the west concourse of Bobcat Stadium. A second Fan Shop will open on the east concourse of the stadium this fall. Both shops feature Texas State apparel and souvenirs from the university bookstore. This fall, Texas State will don new football uniforms and new replica jerseys will be available in the shops by the time Southland Conference play begins. New fan relations booths will also welcome Bobcat fans this fall. The booths will provide guest services such as season ticket information and a place where general questions can be answered. Fans will also be able to register for various game promotions and purchase programs at the booths. Also this fall, fans on the west side of the stadium will be able to listen to a feed of the game broadcasts in select areas of the concourse including the fan shop and the Bill Miller Room. Aesthetic improvements to the stadium include the removal of barbed wire from the fences around the stadium. Also a new sidewalk has been added behind the 3D Welding Gate. This fall will mark the second year the Student Association of Campus Activities (SACA) has coordinated tailgating in the stadium's east parking lot and the organization will be making improvements to the tailgate area setup. Bobcat Stadium is not the only facility to see improvements this summer. A new mural entitled "Passion" has been added to the athletic department's foyer in the Strahan Administrative Building while a new men's basketball mural has been added to one of the concourses in Strahan Coliseum. Upgrades have also been made to the practice gym in the Jowers Center. In the community, three new billboards promoting Texas State athletics have been unveiled on I-35 between New Braunfels and San Marcos. Season tickets are currently on sale at the Texas State Box Office in the Strahan Administrative Building as well as Texas Box Office locations throughout the state. For more information on tickets, call (512) 245-2272 or toll free, (877) 798-CATS. Both the varsity and newcomers report to Texas State for football camp on Sunday. The Bobcats will practice for the first time Monday morning. |
