By By Stan Caldwell / EMG sports writer
Oct. 30, 2002
HATTIESBURG The University of Southern Mississippi and the Pine Belt Area Development Partnership used the festive occasion of a fans' sendoff for the Golden Eagle football team Tuesday to announce a drive to sell out the Nov. 14 game against Louisville.
The key Conference USA game at M.M. Roberts Stadium will be televised nationally on ESPN that Thursday night, and the university and businesses in the Hattiesburg area are teaming up for "Hattiesburg's ESPN Game Night at The Rock."
Local businesses are being asked to close shop at 3 p.m. to allow USM fans to tailgate and participate in the festivities that evening.
USM President Shelby Thames did his part by calling off classes at noon on the day of the game.
ESPN's popular Game Day crew of Mike Tirico, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit will be in Hattiesburg to broadcast the game.
Community leaders have scheduled a series of news conferences this week to get the word out and challenge the Pine Belt to support the Eagles.