Football game to feature giveaways, debut of 'Tundra'

PUEBLO, Colo. (Aug. 27, 2009) - The second season of the Colorado State University-Pueblo football program will kick off Saturday, Aug. 29 at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl when the Pack will host Eastern New Mexico at 7 p.m.  The Pack's home opener, sponsored by The Colorado Lottery, will feature a "Red Out" featuring free CSU-Pueblo T-shirts, lottery giveaways, giveaways of "ThunderStix" and Legacy Bank's "Bucks and Trucks" haltime passing contest.

The ThunderWolves season-opening "Red Out" will feature giveaways of red CSU-Pueblo T-shirts to the first 1,000 fans.  All fans in attendance are encouraged to wear red in support of the Pack.

The Colorado Lottery will also give away 3,000 one dollar instant scratch tickets to all fans over the age of 18.  Additionally, one lucky fan who purchases a CSU-Pueblo Football game program will win a $300 pack of scratch tickets.  Also joining the CSU-Pueblo Football game program giveaways is Loaf N' Jug, which will give one program buyer a $100 gas card.

The first 250 student fans through the gates will receive a pair "ThunderStix," and one lucky fan will get a chance to play the halftime "Bucks and Trucks" game, sponsored by Legacy Bank.  The fan has a chance to win a two-year lease on a brand new truck by throwing a pass through the windows of the truck.

Following the game will be a fireworks display, sponsored by Art and Lorraine Gonzales. 

The game will also feature the debut of the ThunderWolf mascot, Tundra, a four-year-old husky-greyhound mix which will lead the ThunderWolves out of the tunnel at every home game this season.

Tundra was a rescue dog from Colorado Springs All Breed Rescue who grew up with seventy other dogs living in very poor conditions.  Coming to the Rescue at six months old, Tundra had been badly neglected and through the help of plenty of "foster parents" and her eventual "mom and dad," Carol and Mark Rickman, she was able to overcome an extreme separation anxiety issue and eventually find a home.  Today, she lives with her "sister" Jenna, a six-year-old shepherd-cattle dog mix, and howls whenever she hears "Go ThunderWolves!"

Fans are encouraged to meet Tundra and take part in the numerous promotions by purchasing tickets at the CSU-Pueblo Ticket Office, located inside of Massari Arena, or by calling the ticket office at (719) 549-2050.  Tickets can also be purchased online at www.csupueblobookstore.com.  The cost of a reserved seat is $10 and a general admission "ThunderHill" seat is $5.  As always, CSU-Pueblo students get free admission to all CSU-Pueblo football games.