Panther Pride Day Saturday

Published 11:05 am Thursday, August 25, 2022

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There’ll be something for everyone when the second Panther Pride Day kicks off on Saturday.

The event, which serves as a launch to the 2022-2023 LaGrange College athletic season, features food trucks, entertainment, activities for children, athletic events and more, and it will begin at noon in the Callaway Auditorium parking lot and surrounding areas.

The festival closes with the Team Pres. vs. Team A.D. football game at 4 p.m. at Callaway Stadium.

The game features Panther football players, and they’ll be divided into two teams that will be coached by President Susanna Baxter and Director of Athletics and Recreation Terlynn Olds.

The game made its debut a year ago, with Team A.D. earning the win.

Olds, who came to LaGrange College in the summer of 2021, is eagerly anticipating this year’s festival.

“I am excited to begin my second year at the helm of Panther Athletics with our second Panther Pride Day Festival,” Olds said. “The festival is a kickoff to our 2022-23 athletic season and is an opportunity for everyone to meet the amazing individuals who make LC Athletics great. Come out to this free community event to enjoy food, fun and football with an unforgettable Pres vs AD Black and Red game.”

The festival opens at noon, and attendees will have a wide variety of food trucks to choose from, featuring sweet treats like crepes and cookies, drinks, as well as hot dogs, barbeque, tacos, and much more.

There will also be dozens of vendors, and a DJ will provide live music entertainment.

Also, representatives of the 15 varsity teams will be at the festival and will be available for meet-and-greets, photos and autographs.

In addition to the football game at 4 p.m., there will be a women’s soccer game at 2 p.m. at Panther Field.

Before the Pres. vs. A.D. game, there will be a “Panther Walk” at 3:30 p.m. as the players make their way from the CEB building to Callaway Stadium.

Following pre-game speeches at 3:45 p.m. and a coin toss, kickoff is at 4 p.m., and the game will feature four quarters with a 15-minute halftime break.

De’Queze Fryer, a senior All-American tight end, was involved in last year’s football game, and he’s looking forward to being a part of Panther Pride Day once again.

“It was fun. It was like a real game-day experience,” Fryer said. “I really enjoyed it, the atmosphere, and having fans. It wasn’t just a scrimmage. It was part of Panther Pride Day, so it was celebrating what it means to be a Panther.”

“Seeing the community come out, that’s what made it even more fun,” Fryer said. “It was fun even before we went inside the stadium, and them coming in and watching the game, that made it awesome.”