The Tulane Green Wave will face a sea of maroon Saturday in Davis Wade Stadium. To promote MSU’s first football game, 50,000 maroon T-shirts will be given to spectators for a “maroon-out” in the stands.
“We think that there will be a great crowd for the first game and we hope to fill the 55,000 seats in the stadium,” said Mike Nemeth, associate athletic director for media relations. “The shirts will be handed out at the gates and the first 50,000 fans will get one.”
“Volunteers from the Student Association will be handing out the shirts to fans as they present their tickets,” Nemeth added.
Head football coach Sylvester Croom agreed that the idea of a maroon-out for the first game would be a good way to gain school spirit and kick off the football season.
“When I heard about the maroon out I thought it was a great idea. The entire stadium wearing maroon will be very impressive and will allow the whole nation to see what kind of spirit we have,” Croom said.
“We’re going to look real good on TV,” junior Tyler Mullins said. “It’ll get people more into the game, and it’s inspiring for our players.”
Many schools in the SEC use the single color scheme to support their teams, including LSU’s gold-out, junior Johnny Fournet said.
“It’s intimidating for another team to come in and see an entire stadium wearing the home team’s color,” he said.
“I ask the students to come and support your team and hang in there, and hopefully in the fourth quarter with our effort and the assistance of our fans we will pull this game out.”
Russell Athletic, the official provider for MSU athletic equipment as of spring 2004, will split the cost with Mississippi State, Athletic Director Larry Templeton said.
“Russell Athletic is generously donating a lot towards our maroon-out,” Croom said.
Mississippi State’s part, which is between $70,000 and $80,000, will be paid by the Bulldog Club, Templeton said.
Most shirts will be either size large or extra-large, “with about 5,000 various other sizes,” he added.
The design on the shirts is similar to the design on the soccer and volleyball posters this year, Mike Richey, associate athletic director for marketing said.
“The shirts will say ‘Maroon is all that matters’,” Richey said.
T-shirts arrived this week and have been stored under the stadium, Nemeth said.