JONESBORO (5/15/12) - With a large Red Wolves logo in place on the 50-yard line of AT&T Field at War Memorial Stadium and Howl set to be on the prowl, the scene is set for what is expected to be an electric atmosphere when new Arkansas State Head Football Coach Gus Malzahn makes his Little Rock stop tomorrow night as part of his "Head of State Road Tour," sponsored by First Security Bank.
In anticipation of Malzahn's appearance at War Memorial Stadium/AT&T Field, stadium manager Charlie Staggs said the logo, which is 10 yards wide and covers the field between the hash marks, was put in place to welcome ASU's head coach and to add to the atmosphere for the event.
Additional festivities are are also scheduled for the outing, which will start at approximately 6:15 p.m. when Malzahn and ASU Director of Athletics Dr. Dean Lee hold a meet-and-greet with A-State fans on the suite level of the stadium press box. The program portion of the event is scheduled for 7 p.m., when those in attendance will hear from both Lee and Malzahn.
"We are looking forward to hosting the reception for Coach Malzahn and Arkansas State University at War Memorial Stadium/AT&T Field," said Staggs. "We are excited about the opportunity of working with Arkansas State University on the reception and the possibility of hosting The Red Wolves in the future at the stadium. We feel this is an electrifying time for A-State football and are enthusiastic about being included as a part of the new era in A-State Football."
Malzahn's appearance at War Memorial Stadium/AT&T Field will be his 10th of the tour and his last of the day tomorrow. The three-day speaking excursion began today with four stops and will include six Wednesday and five Thursday. Similar in concept to the football program's statewide recruiting efforts called the A-State Ambush, this week's speaking tour is giving ASU fans maximum exposure to Malzahn's thoughts on on the Red Wolves' spring camp, offseason, upcoming season and much more. Free admission is being granted at all stops on the tour.
Malzahn, rated as the No. 4 best hire in the nation by CBSSports.com, is ready to take the Red Wolves to new heights in 2012. Malzahn, also 1 of 2 head coaches in the nation who received Sporting News' grade of A+ among new hires, will have the services of senior quarterback Ryan Aplin in the upcoming season. Aplin is the defending Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and is on pace to break every major career passing and total offense record at A-State.
Season tickets for ASU's 2012 campaign are currently on sale at the ASU Ticket Office. The ticket office can be contacted at 870-972-ASU1, or tickets can be purchased online through A-State's official athletic Web site AStateRedWolves.com.
ARKANSAS STATE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH GUS MALZAHN'S SPEAKING TOUR SCHEDULE:
Tuesday, May 15
Noon: Searcy, Ark. (First Security Bank, 314 North Spring St.)
2:00 p.m.: Beebe, Ark. (ASU-Beebe Student Center Cafe)
4:00 p.m.: Heber Springs, Ark. (ASU-Heber Springs Administration Building/Entergy Room)
7:00 p.m.: Mountain Home, Ark. (ASU-Mountain Home Community Center Grand Hall)
Wednesday, May 16
9:00 a.m.: Springdale, Ark. (Cross Church)
10:30 a.m.: Springdale, Ark. (First Security Bank, 2500 West Sunset)
12:30 p.m.: Ft. Smith, Ark. (Pendergraft Park, 200 Garrison)
2:30 p.m.: Russellville, Ark. (Cracker Barrel, 211 East Harrell Drive)
4:30 p.m.: Conway, Ark. (First Security Bank, 1390 Hwy 64 West)
7:00 p.m.: Little Rock, Ark. (War Memorial Stadium)
Thursday, May 17
9:00 a.m.: Bryant, Ark. (First Security Bank, 5619 Hwy 5 North)
11:00 a.m.: Pine Bluff, Ark. (Harbor Oaks)
2:00 p.m.: El Dorado, Ark. (Corrine Court, 234 Main St.)
4:00 p.m.: Fordyce, Ark. (Civic Center)
7:00 p.m.: Hot Springs, Ark. (Convention Center)
