Previous Reports | September 2014 | October 2014
November
It’s November already so it’s time for another edition of the Reddie Report. Where has the time gone!? There have been a lot of “firsts” for me as I approach one year on the job. Melissa, Lauren, Hayden and I are so honored to be Reddies and with each passing day we feel more blessed to be part of the Henderson State family. This week, we get to experience one of the most exciting “firsts” of all…..The Battle of the Ravine!
Even though I will be attending my first BOTR in football, I already know this is the most unique and special rivalry in all of college sports. Neighbors, families, high school teammates, classmates on both sides…No matter the records, the stakes are always high when one team walks across Highway 7 to play the other. It just so happens that this year the #14 Reddies are 9-1 and #9 Ouachita is 9-0. The Reddies will be playing for a share of their third straight GAC Title. Both teams know the playoffs could very well hang in the balance as well. That announcement will take place Sunday at 4 p.m. central at ncaa.com.
The 88th edition of the Battle of the Ravine kicks off at 3 p.m. Saturday at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium/Ruggles Field. The gates will open at noon. The ticket booths will open at noon. We are selling tickets this week during regular business hours in Wells 108 (Athletic Department). If you want to purchase by credit card, visit Womack 3rd Floor and go to the Business Windows from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. In addition, Ouachita is selling tickets on their campus. With a large crowd expected, please plan to arrive early and dress warm….we are going to have football weather for “The Battle”.
Don’t forget, the Reddie Gameday Shuttles will run from 12th and Wilson Street on South Campus beginning and noon and running until 1.5 hours after the game. There is no charge and they will drop you off right at the main gate.
Aramark is having a great pre-game tailgate in front of Wells beginning at 11:30 a.m. and running until 2:30 p.m. For $8, you can enjoy an all-you-can eat meal of carved brisket, grilled bbq chicken, grilled sausages, roasted corn on the cob, baked beans, home fried chips, potato salad, coleslaw, drinks and dessert.
Make sure you get in the stadium early to get your seat. At 2:30 p.m. we will honor the Seniors from Reddie football. This group is 36-8 the last four years, 30-2 in Great American Conference play with 2 GAC titles and 2 trips to the NCAA Division II playoffs in the toughest Super Region in the Nation! Four of these Seniors are already in Graduate School at HSU.
Speaking of Seniors, check out the chemistry between Kevin Rodgers and Darius Davis off the field….Warning, this is fun so don’t watch unless you want to be in a good mood!
…and big congrats to Kevin Rodgers for being selected as a recipient of a
2014 National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete Award. He is now a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy. He has already received an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship and now gets to travel to New York City for the awards ceremony December 8-9. I simply could not be any prouder of Kevin and everything that he stands for.
Friday morning, KATV will broadcast their Daybreak show live from Carpenter-Haygood Stadium beginning bright and early at 5 a.m. We will have donuts, coffee and hot chocolate so come out and wear red so we can show everyone in Little Rock the Reddie Spirit. The show will run from 5-7 a.m. from the Stadium. You are all invited. You can sleep when #BOTR2014 is over!!
This week is also our HSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
“Week of Wishes” for Make-A-Wish, the official charity of NCAA Division II. SAAC will be selling these “rally towels” for $1 at the game with all proceeds to benefit Make-A-Wish:
Monday night, Wish Kid Austin and his mom Jennifer visited with SAAC about his awesome experience at Disney World. Here is Austin with our group:
Austin inspired our group to go all-in on helping to fulfill wishes for kids who need a pick me up!
In addition to “Wish Week”, we have our student-athletes scheduled to complete 11 community projects in the very near future in support of the Reddie to Serve Day that was rained out.
More good news…basketball season is here! Wednesday night, we are hosting Turn Up for Tipoff at Wells beginning at 9 p.m. We will be introducing our teams and we will have a dunk contest, three point contest and a co-ed basketball game. There will be lots of prize giveaway and 10 lucky students will get to shoot a half-court shot for a free semester of tuition. First one to make the shot gets tuition paid for a semester! There will also be free pizza. We hope the prizes and free food bring the students out to have fun! Thanks so much to Dr. Lewis Shepherd, Chad Fielding and Student Affairs as well as Jennifer Boyett and Tonya Oaks-Smith of Marketing and Communications for donating the prizes and food to make this event fun! The season gets going for real this weekend on the road. Next week, the Reddie women’s team will host Texas A & M-Commerce at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, November 17. Next Thursday, November 20 GAC play begins as the HSU men and women host Southeastern Oklahoma at 5:30/7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 22, GAC play continues as the Reddies host East Central in a 1 p.m./3 p.m. twinbill. Make plans to join us. I think it will be a very fun basketball season and it is here!
Our Red Wave Swimming and Diving teams are off to a great start on the young season. This Friday night, they host Ouachita Baptist and Delta State. I hope you can make it. These student-athletes are fun to watch in action.
I hope to see you this Saturday on campus. Arrive early, wear red and enjoy the most special rivalry in the country!
Finally, please remember our 300-plus student-athletes and coaches are working hard every day to represent you to the best of their abilities. If you would like to support this mission, please consider joining the Reddie Club. Those funds go directly to our programs and help us in so many ways. If you are interested, here is the link to learn more.
http://hsusports.com/reddieclubIn Reddie Spirit,
Shawn
@ReddiesAD
