LAKE CHARLES – McNeese will open up the 2019 football season on Saturday against Southern.
 
Tickets are still available at the McNeese ticket office or online at McNeeseSports.com.
 
The following are things fans need to know on game day:
 
McNeese season tailgating spots will open at noon on Friday.
 
Southern tailgating will open at 2 p.m. on Friday. This will be located at the Sherman Fine Arts parking lots. Parking is first come, first serve.
 
Parking for visiting fans will open at 6 a.m. on Saturday morning and will be located in the lot at Hardtner Hall located on the McNeese campus. McNeese parking (paid parking) will open at 9 a.m.
 
To purchase a parking spot, contact the McNeese ticket office at 337-475-4MSU. The ticket office will open at noon on Saturday.
 
Kids 12 and under will be admitted free with a paid adult for general admission seats only. Tickets must be purchased for reserved seating. Each kid must have a ticket to enter the game. Free tickets can be obtained when purchasing an adult ticket.
 
The Cowboy Walk will return this season but the route has changed.
 
This year, the walk will begin at the new H&HP building where the Cowboys will exit the main entrance at 2:45 p.m. and walk down Les Devall Blvd. to the Jack Doland Field House. The Pride of McNeese Marching Band and Cowgirl Kickers will line the Boulevard where fans are encouraged to join in.
 
Following the Cowboy Walk, the band will march down Blue & Gold Drive to the Robert Noland Alumni Plaza where it will perform for the fans. After that, the band will march back up Blue & Gold Drive into Cowboy Stadium.
 
The Parapokes are scheduled to parachute into Cowboy Stadium at 5:50 with the McNeese band pregame show to follow that will include a performance by the Cowgirl Kicker Summer Dance Camp participants.
 
During the game, several contests and promotions will be held to award prizes.
 
All adult fans are eligible to win a prize pack from Southwest Beverage Company.
 
McNeese students will get a chance to win numerous prizes throughout the game, including: Kick for Coke where the winner would receive a year's supply of Coca-Cola; Tony's First Touchdown sponsored by Tony's Pizza where the winner will receive a $100 gift card to Tony's Pizza; Dance for Your Dinner sponsored by Raising Canes where the winner will win a free box combo card to Raising Canes; and Bring the Thunder sponsored by Southwest Louisiana Credit Union where the winner will receive a $50 gift card.
 
T-shirts will also be thrown out to students with some containing Wendy's free meal cards.
 
At halftime, the McNeese marching band will perform first followed by The Human Jukebox of Southern.
 
Programs will be available to purchase at the main entrances and will include coupons for free items from Popeye's, Sonic, and Taco Bell.
 
Beer will also be sold at game at designated areas. Fans must obtain a wristband at the selling area prior to purchase.
 
Cowboy Stadium rules:
• There is a clear bag policy. Bags must not exceed 12" x 6" x 12" and must be plastic, vinyl or PVC. One-gallon re-sealable clear plastic freezer bags are allowed. Small clutch purses with or without a handle or strap, must not be larger than 4.5" x 6.5".
• Bags that are prohibited include large purses, backpacks, duffel bags, diaper bags, fanny packs, drawstring bags, camera bags, an non-clear/printed pattern totes.
• No coolers, ice chests, bottles, can cups or containers of any kind.
• No outside food or drinks.
• No umbrellas.
• No baby strollers.
• No pets for the exception of documented service animals.
• No video camersa.
• No weapons of any kind including guns, knives, multi-functional tools, and any item deemed inappropriate.
• No flags, banners, poles, or projectiles of any kind or any obtrusive, obstructive signage.
• All persons must have a ticket to enter the stadium.
• No re-entry.
• No smoking in seating areas.
• All persons entering the stadium are subject to search.
• No throwing of objects from the stands.
• No portable cooling or heating devices.
 
Timeline – McNeese vs. Southern
Friday:
12 p.m. – McNeese Tailgating opens
2 p.m. – Southern Tailgating opens (Sherman Fine Arts Lot; first come-first serve)
 
Saturday:
6 a.m. – Visitor parking opens (Hardtner Hall Parking Lot)
9 a.m. – McNeese (Paid) parking opens
12 p.m. – McNeese Ticket Office opens
2:45 p.m. – Cowboy Walk (begins at H&HP main entrance)
4:30 p.m. – Stadium gates open
5:50 p.m. – Parapokes parachute into Cowboy Stadium
6:07 p.m. – Kickoff
Halftime – McNeese band will perform first followed by the Southern band