Booneville, Miss. - The Northeast Mississippi Community College football program is once again kicking off a new season by getting away from the gridiron for a couple of hours to greet their fans.
Northeast will host its third annual "Meet the Tigers" night on Tuesday, August 29 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Booneville Domino's Pizza restaurant, which is located in the Second Street Plaza on Walmart Circle.
"With our great home attendance and the way that we take pride in our program, it's a way that we can give back," said Northeast head coach Greg Davis. "We want the community to know who we are and what we're about. We've got a great group of kids."
Student-athletes and coaches will interact with their supporters during the yearly extravaganza. The Tigers will autograph schedule posters and take photos with their followers throughout the event.
The Showband from Tigerland, Tiger Dancers and Northeast cheerleading squad will be in attendance as well to provide entertainment and showcase any new routines prior to their first official performances at the football home opener.
Domino's is providing various giveaways and special promotions for the Tigers' devotees. Twenty percent of any sales that evening will go directly towards benefitting Northeast's football operations.
Several slices of pizza will be given away at no charge to those that are present as well. Over 700 individual slices were awarded for free to students, parents and fans two years ago at the inaugural "Meet the Tigers."
An approximate total of 500 individuals attended the "Meet the Tigers" function in each of its first two years. The fellowship between Northeast's players, coaches and patrons made for a stellar start to the season.
The Tigers are already receiving recognition prior to the opening of the new year with a No. 9 ranking in the National Junior College Athletic Association's (NJCAA) preseason poll.
Northeast also garnered a No. 18 rating from the College Football America Yearbook in its junior college preseason top 30 rankings, which did include members of the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA).
The Tigers christen the 2017 campaign on Thursday, August 31 by traversing 300 miles south to Pearl River Community College. A 6 p.m. kickoff is scheduled at Dobie Holden Stadium in Poplarville.
Northeast begins a season-long three-game home stand one week later when defending Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) South Division champion East Central Community College visits the City of Hospitality.
For more information about "Meet the Tigers," contact Davis at 662-720-7580 or by email at gadavis@nemcc.edu or assistant coaches Kenny Jackson at 662-720-7575 or by email at krjackson@nemcc.edu, Dustin Jones at 662-720-7351 or by email at dbjones@nemcc.edu, Kareem Moore at 662-720-7587 or by email at kamoore@nemcc.edu, Vince Sanders at 662-720-7573 or by email at vdsanders@nemcc.edu or Doug Saylor at 662-720-7890 or by email at dwsaylor@nemcc.edu.