February 13, 2020
Media Advisory – FFA Night at the Ballgame is Feb. 20
For a sixth consecutive year, approximately 450 FFA students from across Illinois will be on campus Feb. 20 for the annual Southern Illinois University Carbondale FFA Night at the Ballgame at Banterra Center.
The prospective students will come from nearly 30 high schools, and a $10 ticket special to the men’s basketball game between the Salukis and Missouri Valley Conference foe Evansville is still available by using the code “AGSALUKI” for the Feb. 20 game at SIUSalukis.com. The discount is available for all fans. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.
Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover the event.
The evening will kick off with a reception at the Student Center at 5 p.m., before moving to Banterra Center at 6 p.m. for a group picture and quick welcome photo with Saluki men’s coach Bryan Mullins. Liz Jarnigan, SIU Athletics Director, will also speak to the students at Banterra Center.
High school students from around the state are expected to attend after invitations were sent to all FFA chapters in Illinois. John Kabat, who is SIU’s College of Agricultural Sciences Alumni Board president, will be bringing 40 students from Mount Vernon Township High School to the game. Noting the success in Saluki sports, Kabat added that there is an excitement throughout the campus and he’s excited to share it with some potential future Salukis.
“It’s a very exciting time to be around that campus. We’re seeing a lot of great opportunities for students,” he said.
The annual event is possible thanks to the generosity from Dean and Cookie Campbell of Coulterville, who have donated tickets and concessions vouchers for students, along with Farm Credit Illinois.
The Maschoff Family of Carlyle is also providing event T-shirts to all agriculture students who attend.
Members of the media are invited to cover the basketball game, with prospective students in attendance. The students will be sitting in the section directly across from the Dawg Pound.
For more information, contact Susan Graham at 618/453-1764 or sgraham@siu.edu.