Football | 8/20/2015 9:43:00 PM

Information flyer
MOORHEAD, Minn. — The Minnesota State University Moorhead football team opens the 2015 season on Sept. 3 when it hosts Winona State at 6 pm. The night marks the first game at Scheels Field at MSUM and many exciting events and giveaways are planned as a part of "Opening Day at Scheels Field."
 
"I see this as a community event and we are trying to break our attendance record of 6,200," said MSUM athletic director Doug Peters.  "It is a Thursday night game and we have put a lot of thought and effort into making a great game experience with something for everyone."
 
Scheels is providing 500 Commemorative Game Day t-shirts to give-away and they are are also providing delicious fudge samples for fans.  Other partners of Dragon Athletics have joined in on providing a great atmosphere.  With the Free Ride promotion from Valley Imports, a fan will win a one-year lease on a 2015 Volkswagen Passat Limited Edition while MidContinent Communications will be providing a free LED TV to a lucky fan.  There will also be a halftime contest where one fan could win $20,000 in cash.
 
"We know that promotions and giveaways attract fans," said Jon Wepking, assistant athletic director for marketing and promotion.  "The Go Team also knows that if we are going to break the attendance record we have to get our students to come out so we also decided to give away $1,500 in tuition for the spring semester."
 
In addition to the giveaways pre-game activities will take place that day to get fans fired up for the game— bounce houses for kids, balloon artists, face painting and tailgating for Dragon football fans.  Big Al's Grill will be making an appearance after the success at last year's homecoming tailgating.  After the game there will be a fireworks show and then the field will be open for kids and fans to play on.
 
Heading into the game, DragonsLIVE will hold a special pregame broadcast beginning at 3 p.m. on WDAY'Z XTRA. That will be broadcast until just before the kickoff for the game.
 
The partnership with Scheels on the field project has been a unique one according to Peters.  A combined planning team from Scheels joined MSUM's Gloria Riopelle, Jon Wepking and Chad Markuson to create a vision for a record breaking crowd to open up the new field.
 
"SCHEELS opened in Moorhead 88 years ago, and for those 88 years Moorhead has been a fabulous community in which to do business," said Steve D. Scheel. "It feels good to give a donation like this back to the Moorhead community and MSUM.  At Scheels, we understand the difference great facilities make. I am confident this upgrade will benefit not only the football program, but also MSUM and the entire Moorhead community."
 
It will mark the Dragons' first night home football game since Sept. 20, 1986 when they beat Kearney State (Neb.), 27-17.