JONESBORO, Ark. (7/25/12) – Arkansas State Athletics and the 2012 Paint the Town Red campaign were the topics of discussion at this month's Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce Power Breakfast event, which featured ASU Director of Athletics Dr. Dean Lee, head football coach Gus Malzahn and Red Wolf Club Director Doug Doggett as guest speakers.

A large crowd was on hand as members of the Jonesboro community gathered at 6:45 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn for this morning's Power Breakfast.  The event was sponsored by St. Bernards Health and Wellness Institute. The event allowed Lee, Doggett and Malzahn to express their appreciation for the support from the community for the Red Wolves.

A breakfast buffet was served for those in attendance and Ed Way, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, spoke before welcoming Doggett.  Doggett introduced members of the ASU Athletic Department administration and coaching staff and then shared information about the Red Wolf Club and Paint the Town the Red as well.

The Red Wolf Club is the primary development arm of Arkansas State Athletics. For more than 50 years the club has provided educational opportunities to student-athletes, improved athletic facilities and enhanced donor experiences at athletic events.  The Red Wolf Club can be contacted at 870-972-2401, or more information about the club can be found online at TheRedWolfClub.com.

“The fact that this was the largest crowd to ever attend a Chamber of Commerce Power Breakfast speaks volumes about the interest and enthusiasm for A-State Athletics,” said Red Wolf Club Director Doug Doggett.  “It's also indicative of the support our community has for the Chamber and in turn the tremendous support they have for ASU.  We need everyone on board just like the crowd this morning as we try to take our programs to new heights.”

Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President and COO Cari White spoke about the 16th Annual Paint the Town Red event. The competition will be held Sept. 3-7 to celebrate the first A-State home football game.  As part of the event, local businesses are asked to take decorate the interior and/or exterior of their businesses to show pride and support for ASU.

Categories for the decorating contest will include an Exterior, Interior and First Timers award, and a Spirit Award will be given to the business that best demonstrates its Red Wolves spirit through cheers, live outdoor scenes and other creative displays during judging. A traveling trophy will be awarded for the best window display by downtown merchants. 

Dr. Lee took the opportunity to discuss the Red Wolves' recent athletic and academic accomplishments from the past year. Academically, ASU placed 183 members on a recent Athletic Director's Honor Roll, representing a school-record 60 percent of all student-athletes. Additionally, one in four student athletes are achieving a 3.5 GPA and on in eight hold a 4.0.

Malzahn took the opportunity to address different aspects of the Red Wolves' football team and gave a position-by-position breakdown of both the offense, defense and special teams. He also joined Doggett and Lee in thanking the community for supporting A-State Athletics. The Red Wolves football team will begin their season Sept. 1 at Oregon and will play their home opener a week later against Memphis.

Season tickets for ASU's 2012 football 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 website, AStateRedWolves.com.