DENVER ? The Western Athletic Conference starts its 2006 Play Up Tour campaign in the Land of Enchantment with an in-state rivalry. The first stop heads to Las Cruces, N.M., where New Mexico travels south on I-25 to face off with New Mexico State. In the 97th meeting of the schools, the Aggies look to bounce back after a loss to the Lobos in Albuquerque last season.
After a successful Tour in 2005, the WAC has continued its promotion of Play Up, announcing its nine football stops. The Play Up Tour heightens awareness for the WAC brand as well as reinforces the association between the schools and the WAC. The Play Up Tour seeks to improve the public and private perceptions of the WAC and its members through national, local and regional touch points.
Fans can join the WAC at the Las Cruces stop on the North side of the stadium. Along side the WAC staff will be Aggie great Charley Johnson. Johnson will be signing autographs and meeting Aggie nation. Fans can also visit the tent and see other alumni from each of the WAC's nine institutions. Come by and see Aggie highlights playing on the 100 inch video screen. Also joining the WAC will be the long-time voice of the Aggies, Jack Nixon.
After checking out history of the WAC schools, fans can register to win a helmet signed by head coach Hal Mumme. The WAC will select three winners to participate in a promotion during the game and the winner will be registered for a chance to win a trip for two to the New Mexico Bowl. After each of the nine tour stops, the winner will selected for that pool and will receive and all-expenses-paid trip to Albuquerque to cheer on the WAC against the Mountain West on December. 23.
The WAC will also be handing out WAC tattoos, t-shirts and footballs. If you are unable to make it in time to get a shirts, you can order one from Zia Graphics.
The following are the dates and times of each of the Tour’s stops. For more information about when and where the WAC will be at each site, please visit wacsports.com and click on the Play Up Tour logo.
Saturday, Sept. 9
New Mexico at New Mexico State, 6:00 p.m.
Meet Aggie Great Charley Johnson
Saturday, Sept. 16
Utah at Utah State, 6:00 p.m.
Meet Aggie Great Emmett White
Saturday, Sept. 23
Hawai?i at Boise State, 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 30
Colorado State at Fresno State, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 14
Utah State at San Jose State, 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 21
Boise State at Idaho, 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 28
New Mexico State at Nevada, 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 11
Louisiana Tech at Hawai?i, 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 18
Nevada at Louisiana Tech, 7:00 p.m.
For more information on the Play Up Tour, please contact Joe Menaugh (jmenaugh@wac.org) or Steve Macy (macy@wac.org) at the WAC office (303.799.9221).