The Trojan Tailgaters’ fourth annual Alumni Ball this coming Saturday will cap off homecoming festivities for the 2016-2017 school year.
Freddie Thomas, the president of the organization, said the idea came about four years ago during homecoming.
“It was a dream of Rodger Robinson’s,” he said. “We were both sitting there and there was nothing to do, and we thought, ‘There should be something to do,’ and Rodgers said, ‘We should look at having a ball.’”
The ball, with the slogan “Balling for a Purpose”, is not only a fun time for alumni and friends of TROY, but it also funds the endowment for the Student Alumni Association Scholarship.
“If we are going to have a ball, this is going to be our way of giving back,” Thomas said.
The organization has given over $6,500 in profit to the Student Alumni Association Scholarship Fund; the scholarship is open to all students who are members of the Student Alumni Association.
The Trojan Tailgaters began tailgating together in 1996 and consisted of less than ten former TROY football players, their families and other alums. The group was chartered by the Troy University National Alumni Association as an official chapter in 2015 and now has a membership of over 60 people.
“We are grateful for the continued leadership and support shown by the Trojan Tailgaters,” said Faith Ward, Director of Alumni Affairs. “It’s exciting that their desire to give back to the University will benefit students though this scholarship fund.”
According to Thomas, 300 people are expected to attend the ball Saturday evening, but he wants to see that number grow exponentially over the next decade.
“We have the ball in the Trojan Center right now, but it’s my dream to one day have it in the Trojan Arena,” he said. “We’re happy to put this on and give back to the university.”
The ball is open to all alumni and friends of TROY and will start at 7 p.m. in the Trojan Ballrooms. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased through the chapter’s website, or call the Alumni Affairs office at 334-670-3318. Individuals interested in contributing to the Student Alumni Association Scholarship Fund are also asked to contact the Alumni Affairs office.
