Annual Eagle Fest Celebration Scheduled for April 13-15

For the first time in school history, the Southern Miss Department of Athletics will celebrate all 16 intercollegiate sports during the 2012 Eagle Fest to be held over the weekend of the football Spring Game, April 13-15.

On Friday, April 13, the Southern Miss Activities Council and The Legacy will host a pre-game tailgate event titled "Rockin for the Roost" on Pride Field beginning at 3 p.m. As part of the event and prior to the 6 p.m. baseball game against UCF, Southern Miss football coach Ellis Johnson, along with the pep band and cheerleaders, will host a pep rally at 5 p.m.

"As a coaching staff, we are very excited for the 2012 Eagle Fest weekend," Johnson said. "Encompassing of all our athletic programs into one great weekend to celebrate the Black and Gold is a unique opportunity for our football team and the University as we celebrate 100 years of championships and commencements. It should be a tremendous weekend for Southern Miss and the city of Hattiesburg."

On Saturday, prior to the Black and Gold football game, the Golden Eagle football team will host their Future Golden Eagle Football Camp inside M.M. Roberts Stadium at 10 a.m. which is free and open to all boys and girls age 4-12 years old. Registration for the Future Golden Eagle Football Camp begins at 9 a.m.

At Noon, the 2012 Spring Game will kickoff under Johnson for the first time. A number of former Southern Miss head coaches, including Jeff Bower, Bear Underwood, Bobby Collins, Curly Hallman and Jim Carmody, have been selected to be honorary coaches for the game. Additionally, former players and current NFL stars Gerald McRath and Michael Boley will be on-hand as honorary captains.

Following the game, the athletic department will host a free tailgate on Pride Field. Teams not in competition that day, including basketball, golf, volleyball, women's soccer and track and field, will have interactive games at the tailgate for all to attend.

The Southern Miss softball team will also host South Alabama at 2 p.m. at the Southern Miss Softball Complex.

Saturday's baseball contest with UCF, beginning at 3 p.m., caps off the jam packed day of a celebration of Southern Miss athletics. Former Golden Eagle infielder Adam Doleac will play a concert in "The Roost" after the game.

On Sunday, the action winds down with the baseball team closing out their UCF series at 11:30 a.m., and the men's tennis squad will take on Louisiana-Lafayette at 1 p.m.

2012 Eagle Fest: April 13-15
Friday
3-5 p.m.: "Rockin for the Roost" Tailgate Event sponsored by SMAC and The Legacy - Pride Field
5-5:30 p.m.": Pep Rally (Coach Johnson, Pep Band, Cheerleaders)
6 p.m.: Baseball vs. UCF - Pete Taylor Park/Hill Denson Field

Saturday
9-10 a.m.: Registration for Future Golden Eagle Football Camp -boys and girls ages 4-12 Roberts Stadium
9-11 a.m.: Open House at The Rock- Tours of the Athletic Center, The Rock, and South End zone
10-11 a.m.: Future Golden Eagle Football Camp Begins - Roberts Stadium
12 Noon:: Football-Black and Gold Game - Roberts Stadium

Ticket Prices

• $15 Black and Gold Ticket(Baseball, Softball, and Football game on Saturday)
• $10 adult football only
• $10 youth Black and Gold ticket (3-18) ( Baseball, Softball, and Football game on Saturday)
• $5 youth football only

2:00 p.m.: Softball vs. South Alabama - Southern Miss Softball Complex
1:30-3 p.m. - Free tailgate between games at Pride Field
* Other teams having interactive games at Pride Field: Basketball, Tennis, Golf, Volleyball, Soccer, Track and Field

3:00 p.m. - Baseball vs. UCF - Pete Taylor Park/Hill Denson Field
* Adam Doleac Band to perform a concert in the Roost after the game

Sunday
11:30 a.m.: Baseball vs. UCF - Pete Taylor Park/Hill Denson Field
1:00 p.m.: Men's Tennis vs. Louisiana-Lafayette - USM Tennis Courts

For more information call 601.266.5281.