Troy University will pay tribute to the nation’s military and veterans on Saturday, Nov. 22 when the Trojans play host to Sun Belt Conference-foe Georgia State at Veterans Memorial Stadium for the Military Appreciation Game. Kickoff for the game is set for 3 p.m.
TROY Athletics, along with Conecuh Sausage, Hook’s BBQ, Coca-Cola, Horn Beverage and the Pensacola Alumni Chapter, will host a free tailgate for all military members running from noon until 2 p.m. in Tailgate Terrace.
Military members (active, reserve or retired) can request Community Hero tickets for themselves and their families by contacting Katie Prchlik via email – kprchlik@troy.edu.
Pregame activities will include a flyover featuring aircraft from Fort Rucker as The Sound of the South performs The National Anthem. Flight crews taking part in the flyover will be recognized on the field during the third quarter of the game. The Trojans will take the field with patriotic themed uniforms.
The game will feature a special Salute to Military halftime show, including the “Walk of Heroes” during which active duty and military veterans will process across the field as their service song is performed by The Sound of the South marching band. Halftime fireworks, made possible through a grant from Lockheed Martin, will provide a further salute to military personnel present.
Other in-game presentations on the field and on the video board will be included throughout the game to honor the nation’s military, including a video presentation of a wreath laying at the Veterans monument on the stadium’s concourse and recognition of the POW/MIA Chair of Honor. Unveiled in 2019, the POW/MIA Chair of Honor serves as a permanent memorial to all of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in military service. The chair remains empty at each home game as a reminder of that sacrifice.
TROY’s service to the military dates to the 1950s, and the University’s commitment to serving the men and women of the United States military has continued to grow through the years through efforts such as TROY for Troops centers, which seek to meet the unique needs of service men and women and their dependents, the Military and Family Scholarship and annual recognitions during Military Appreciation and Military Family Appreciation months.
Mrs. Janice Hawkins, Troy University’s First Lady, leads the TROY for Troops committee that was formed to show appreciation and provide support for military members affiliated with the TROY family. In addition to providing care packages for troops, TROY for Troops t-shirts, and a TROY for Troops Service coin, the committee supports the efforts of the TROY for Troops scholarship and plans activities and presentations for the annual Military Appreciation football game, which has been held each year since 2000.
Tickets for the game are available at www.TroyTrojans.com/tickets or by calling 334-670-3681 in advance of the game.
