Friday Night Lights: Everything you need to know about this year’s Spring Game

By Joel Delgado ’12 MS ’17 

Missing football yet? Sadly, we’re still a few long months away from football season. But fret not, football fans – FIU Football’s annual Spring Game has finally arrived.

This year, the game will be played under the lights at FIU Stadium on Friday, April 17, with a 7 p.m. kickoff and admission is free to the public.

“Friday Night Lights” will give fans a chance to get a glimpse of the team that will take the field this fall under third-year Head Coach Ron Turner.

Here is everything you need to know about Friday’s special event:

1. The ball game before the game

Need to kill some time before heading out to the Spring Game? Head on over to the FIU Baseball Stadium and watch the Panthers take on visiting conference foe WKU at 4 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit FIUSports.com or call 305-FIU-GAME. Student admission is free to all baseball games with a valid student ID.

2. Get to the stadium early

It pays to be on time! The gates to FIU Stadium open at 6 p.m. and the first 1,000 fans will receive a 2015 football poster. The posters will be released for the first time. All fans in attendance will also receive a free 12^th Panther hand fan. Both of these giveaways will be available at gates one, four, eight and nine. Don’t miss out!

3. Games, giveaways and more

Once you’re inside the stadium, make your way to the lower North Concourse of the stadium and join FIU Athletics, Campus Life, shopFIU and more for a pre-game hype event. You can show off your quarterback skills with the inflatable football toss, meet with the Conference USA-champion swimming and diving team, and snap a photo in the football uniform booth.

Plus, on-campus vendors will be on hand with games and chances to win free stuff. Students can pick up their official Friday Night Lights #RoarLife sunglasses and eye black, courtesy of the folks at Campus Life.

4. Halftime entertainment and the return of FIU football alumni

Which residential hall has the most passionate students on campus? We’ll find out during a halftime contest where Residential Life students will be cheering on their halls. If you live on campus, don’t let your hallmates down!

There will also be a performance by the FIU Golden Dazzlers and FIU Football alumni in attendance will be in the building and welcomed home at halftime.

5. Meet the team and the BYOF (Bring Your Own Football) experience

Once the final whistle blows, don’t head for the exits right away! Fans will be welcomed on to the field for a meet-and-greet with the team and if you have a football sitting around at home, bring it to the game for BYOF — Bring Your Own Football — and get the full FIU football experience!

For more information on the game and FIU Football, go to FIUSports.com.