BISMARCK, ND – The beginnings of football at the University of Mary are honored this weekend when the Marauders Originals return to campus. The first Marauders varsity football team took to the field in 1988 and the Originals will be recognized as the current Marauders host Minot State University in the Battle of the Big Lake and possession of the Big Lake Trophy on Saturday, Sept. 30.
Dean's Food and TruMoo are the Marauders gameday sponsor for the Big Lake Battle.
Over 40 players, coaches and staff from the Marauders Originals will return for the weekend, including Jim Driscoll, UMary's first varsity head coach. In the first varsity game, the homestanding Marauders defeated Rocky Mountain College 27-18.
The public is invited to the Marauders Originals celebration on Saturday. A breakfast and social begins at 8 am on Saturday in the Luman Vitae Campus Center Founder's Hall. The recognition program starts at 9 am.
Fans interested in attending the Marauders Originals celebration ceremony should call the UMary Athletic Department at 701.355.8200 to RSVP.
Following the program, the Marauders Originals will be joining Marauders football fans at the MDU Resources Community Bowl for tailgating beginning at 10 am and will be introduced at halftime of the Marauders-Beavers game.
Saturday is a big day for UMary athletics as Marauders volleyball, women's soccer and wrestling are also in action.
At 9 am Marauders volleyball opens the day with a Saturday morning rise-and-shine game against the Upper Iowa Peacocks - who are receiving votes in the national poll – at the McDowell Activity Center. UMary volleyball opens the weekend on Friday, Sept. 29, at 6 pm against 13
th ranked Winona State University, the beginning of a four-game home stand.
The rest of the day moves to the MDU Resources Community Bowl.
Tailgating in Marauders Alley kicks off at 10 am in the north parking lot at MDU Resources Community Bowl. Game Day sponsor Dean Foods and TruMoo is providing free chocolate milk for those in attendance in the TruMoo tailgate section.
Bruno's Pizza will provide free food to Marauders fans beginning at 10:30 am in Marauders Alley, while supplies last.
At 11 am the Marauders women's soccer team takes on Southwest Minnesota State University in Northern Sun play. Senior Day for the Marauders, UMary will honor all three seniors at 10:45 am.
The UMary football team will enter the stadium through Marauders Alley along with the Blue Crew pep band and the Marauders Cheer Team at approximately 12:30 pm.
At 12:30 pm Marauders wrestling holds its 3
rd annual Dean Walker Memorial Throwdown intra-squad scrimmage.
Kickoff for the Battle of the Big Lake between the Marauders and the Minot State University Beavers is set for 2:35 pm. For the fifth straight year the Marauders and the Beavers will battle for possession of the Big Lake Trophy. UMary won the first two times and MSU the last two.
Following the football game all Marauders fans and Marauders Originals are invited to attend a post-game rally at The Pier Bar and Grill.
Game tickets are available at the gate for all sports. Adult tickets are $10 while seniors (ages 55+) and college students with ID are $5. UMary students with their M-Card and youth 18 and younger are free (high school students need to show their student IDs).
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