MARSHALL, Minn. – Southwest Minnesota State University invites all area children to attend its season opener on Thursday, Sept. 2, versus Northern State University.  Children have the opportunity to experience a college football game as SMSU hosts NCAA Football's 16th annual “Take A Kid to the Game” (TAKG) program.  Kids, age 12 and younger, will receive a free ticket with the purchase of a full-priced adult ticket, to watch the Mustangs at the Regional Event Center. 

SMSU is one of more than 200 schools across the nation that hosting a game in this campaign focused on allowing youth the opportunity to attend college football games.  The Take A Kid to the Game® program is entering into its sixteenth year in the promotion of collegiate athletics.

“SMSU is excited about this event where kids from the community will have a chance to be apart of our game day experience and support NCAA Football's Take A Kid to the Game® program,” said Chris Hmielewski, director of athletics at SMSU.  “This game day experience is an opportunity for children to spend quality time with a parent or role model and learn about sportsmanship that can be demonstrated on the playing field.”

Tickets for this special game can be purchased at the Regional Event Center ticket window prior to the game.

The Take A Kid to the Game program is one of the national promotions of NCAA Football, the marketing arm of college football.  NCAA Football represents a coalition of the American Football Coaches Association, Collegiate Commissioners Association, Football Bowl Association, National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Football Foundation. Please visit the official website, www.ncaafootball.com, for further information on current initiatives and to explore the newly updated interactive website that is the premier location to get all inclusive college football information with up-to-date scores, stats, audio and video streaming and unique content form every division.