LAKE CHARLES – McNeese Athletics has announced its promotion and giveaway schedule for the upcoming 2023-24 Cowboys basketball season.
 
The Cowboys' home schedule includes 16 home games, seven of those being non-conference contests with the home opener occurring next Friday, November 10 against College of Biblical Studies.
 
Twelve of the 16 home dates will feature special promotions for all fans, students, or both.
 
The first will be for the home opener where fans can purchase a ticket for just $5 for the 4 p.m. contest in Legacy Center, then following the game, can walk or hitch a ride via golf cart across the parking lot for the final Friday Night Cowboy Block Party of the season which will feature The Chee-Weez, a New Orleans-based band that performs oldies, classic rock and 80's hair metal. The concert is free.
 
Fans can purchase $5 tickets with a non-perishable food item at the Nov. 14 game against LeTourneau for the Rouses Food Drive Game.
 
On Saturday, December 2 against UT Martin, the first 500 fans will receive free tacos. Frosty's Margaritas will be available for purchase to go along with the tasty tacos. The 2 o'clock game is also be Toys For Tots where fans can get a $5 ticket with a toy donation.
 
Another $5 ticket and Toys For Tots donation opportunity will take place when the Cowboys host Mississippi University for Women at 7 p.m. on Dec. 5.
 
First year head coach Will Wade will make his Cowboys' debut on December 13 when McNeese hosts Southern Mississippi for "Load Legacy Night" and the debut of Willy the Kid and the Bayou Bandits. Whataburger will be giving out free burgers from its on-site food truck and McNeese students will receive a free t-shirt before taking their place in the newly branded student section, "The Saloon."
 
Four days later on December 17, McNeese will host UL Lafayette in what is the most anticipated game of the early season in the "Battle of I-10." The first 300 fans will receive a rally towel for the 3 p.m. contest.
 
McNeese will open its nine-game home Southland Conference season on January 13 then it hosts Southeastern at 4 p.m. in the second half of a doubleheader. The first 100 McNeese students will receive free pizza from Crust Pizza.
 
The first 125 students into the doors for the January 15 game against Lamar in the "Battle of the Border" will receive a free t-shirt and rally towels will be given out on Jan. 27 against New Orleans.
 
January 29 vs. Northwestern State will be "Student Experience Night" with giveaways provided by campus departments and following on Feb. 5 against Texas A&M-Commerce will be "Student Night" where students will receive a 5x7-foot Bayou Bandit flag.
 
McNeese will honor all military personnel on Feb. 10 when it hosts Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in the "Salute to Service Game." All military personnel will be admitted free with a military ID.
 
"Senior Night" will occur on the March 4 game vs. Houston Christian. The Cowboys will recognize their seniors during a pregame ceremony and the first 200 students in attendance will be able to collect a free cross body bag.

***Any group or persons interested in performing the National Anthem or halftime entertainment, contact Michael McLaughlin at mmclaughlin@mcneese.edu for more information.***
 
2023-24 McNeese Cowboys Basketball Promotional Schedule
 
Friday, November 10 vs. College of Biblical Studies | 4 p.m.
• $5 Tickets
• Friday Night Cowboy Block Party (Alumni Grove)
 
Tuesday, November 14 vs. LeTourneau | 7 p.m.
• Rouses Food Drive
• $5 admission with non-perishable food item donation
 
Saturday, December 2 vs. UT-Martin | 2 p.m. | ESPN+
• Free tacos for first 500 fans
• Frosty's margaritas
• Toys For Tots - $5 admission with toy donation
 
Tuesday, December 5 vs. Mississippi University for Women | 7 p.m.
• Toys For Tots - $5 admission with toy donation
 
Wednesday, December 13 vs. Southern Miss. | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
• Load Legacy Game
• Free burgers from Whataburger food truck
• Free t-shirts for students
 
Sunday, December 17 vs. UL Lafayette | 3 p.m. | ESPN+
• Battle of I-10
• Rally towels for first 300 fans
 
Saturday, January 13 vs. Southeastern | 4 p.m. | ESPN+
• Southland Conference home opener
• Free Crust Pizza for first 100 students
 
Monday, January 15 vs. Lamar | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
• Battle of the Border
• Free t-shirts for first 125 students
 
Saturday, January 27 vs. New Orleans | 4 p.m. | ESPN+
• Rally towel giveaway
• Cowgirl Softball Championship Presentation
 
Monday, January 29 vs. Northwestern State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
• Student Experience Night
• Student giveaways provided by campus departments
 
Monday, February 5 vs. Texas A&M-Commerce | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
• Student Night
• Bayou Bandits 5x7-foot flag giveaway
 
Saturday, February 10 vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi | 4 p.m. | ESPN+
• Salute to Service
• Free admission to all military personnel with a military ID
 
Monday, March 4 vs. Houston Christian | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
• Senior Night
• Free cross body bags for first 200 students