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This Saturday is the culmination of spring practice for Rutgers football. In an effort to make it a fan friendly event, the athletic department has scheduled a full day for fans at High Point Solutions Stadium. Here is a rundown of the complete list of activities, as well as several promotions that are taking place.
Tailgate Lots open 9 a.m.
Any reason to tailgate is a good one, but when it’s to watch any Rutgers sports team, it’s a pleasure for us all. Just be responsible and make sure you make the game!
Women’s Lacrosse 11 a.m. - #17 Northwestern (8-7) at Rutgers (8-6)
Take a break from tailgating and head into the stadium late morning to support the women’s lacrosse team. After their win last week at the Big House against Michigan, Rutgers heads home for Senior Day. The program will be honoring six seniors, including co-captains Amanda Turturro and Macy Scott, as well as leading scorer Kristina Dunphey.
Northwestern is 3-1 in conference play and in 3rd place, while Rutgers is 2-2, sitting in 4th place. A win on Saturday would be huge for the program, putting them ahead of the visiting Wildcats in the standings. In terms of RPI rankings, Northwestern is 12th and Rutgers is 22nd.
The program will also be helping to raise money and awareness for the HEADstrong Foundation, which helps families affected by cancer. To learn more, click here.
Turn out for the these student athletes on Saturday. They work hard, have had a solid season, and it would be great to give the seniors a nice sendoff in their last home game.
Big & Rich Concert 3:30 p.m.
I know literally nothing about Big & Rich. However, Ryan Dunleavy of NJ Advance Media put together a nice list of their top hits, as well as background on the Grammy nominated country music duo. Even if country isn’t your thing, it’s a free concert and you will be surrounded by Rutgers fans. Not a terrible way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
Scarlet-White Game 5 p.m.
The main event is of course, the spring game for the football program. It will be an important test for the players and an opportunity to end the spring practice schedule strong. It’s the last chance for the players to make an impression on the field during team activities until training camp next August.
The program added a fun wrinkle to the game, which will be broadcast live on BTN, by adding two former players as head coaches of the two sides in this scrimmage. It was announced last week that Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu will coach the Scarlet team, while New England defensive back Duron Harmon will coach the White team. I wrote about it here. The two players battled this past winter during the Super Bowl, with the Patriots coming from behind for the dramatic win. It will be fun for fans to see these two back on the sidelines one more time at HPSS. There will likely be many more alumni present as well.
Excited to have Mohamed Sanu & Duron Harmon as our guest coaches! #TheHunt pic.twitter.com/gG8zXO5Zn7
— Chris Ash (@CoachChrisAsh) April 14, 2017
In addition to the scrimmage, which will not feature tackling, there are several promotions taking place. The program will be handing out posters after the game and will hold a free autograph session.
You can grab your official @RFootball Spring Poster after the Scarlet-White game and get it autographed by your favorite Scarlet Knights! pic.twitter.com/DeZWhV1Tk1
— Rutgers Athletics (@RUAthletics) April 18, 2017
In addition, there is a promotion for the fraternity and sorority that has the most members that attend the Scarlet-White game will receive $1,000 each.
ATTN @RutgersU Greek Life
— Rutgers Athletics (@RUAthletics) April 18, 2017
The Fraternity & Sorority with most members in attendance at #SpringFever = 1K each to @GreeneTurtle_NB
⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/dCt4NWqfnb
Also, there is an opportunity for two fans to run out onto the field from the tunnel with the team, as well as receive field passes for the game. For more details on this fun opportunity, click here.
Run on the field w/ a friend at the 4/22 @RFootball Spring Game courtesy of @PNCBank by tweeting #RUTunnelContest. https://t.co/ReZlvjxf2w pic.twitter.com/gYmdDv4EV0
— Rutgers Athletics (@RUAthletics) April 18, 2017
Did I mention that it was free? Yes, the entire day full of fun activities is completely free for all that attend. You do need to reserve tickets for admission and you can do so by clicking this link or the one in the tweet below.
Did we mention free? #SpringFever
— Rutgers Athletics (@RUAthletics) April 18, 2017
Claim your spot: https://t.co/Mtv6pC1lVW pic.twitter.com/pg2gl3IsME
Free Parking. Free Concert. Free Football... and Free Autographs! @RFootball #SpringFever https://t.co/tUXhoFoJxl
— Hasim Phillips (@HasimPhillips) April 18, 2017
Rutgers football has had the following attendance for the Scarlet-White game the past three years:
2014: 11,500
2015: 15,782
2016: 14,177
Let’s top the 16,000 mark on Saturday! It should be a great day on the banks and a fun, family friendly environment. And it’s free!!
Come out on Saturday and support our student-athletes and celebrate our favorite university, Rutgers! RU rah rah!
Be here this Saturday to watch The Scarlet Knights "RUn Through the Trenches" ‼️ 5pm | @BigTenNetwork #RelentlessStrain #TheHunt ⚔️ ️ pic.twitter.com/prxi4L6czx
— Rutgers Football (@RFootball) April 18, 2017
Sunny Saturday, 60 degrees, @rulaxbrand, Big & Rich, @RFootball. Let's go RU! #SpringFever @RUAthletics pic.twitter.com/zO46DnZveL
— Pat Hobbs (@PatHobbsRU) April 21, 2017