THIBODAUX, La. – With the Nicholls State University football team slated to open its season at Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium Thursday versus McNeese at 7 p.m., the Colonels' athletics department announced several exciting developments Tuesday the fans can expect for a finer football gameday experience, in addition to some important changes for the season opener.

"Since the end of last season, we have received some great input and feedback from our campus community and alumni, as well as our Colonel Fan Focus Group. Each of these items are designed to provide our fans, some of the most loyal in the country, with the best gameday experience possible," Director of Athletics Matt Roan said. "It is extremely important that we strive to improve our fan experience and our customer service in all of our athletic venues. These initiatives in and around Guidry Stadium will go a long way toward our goal of providing one of the best gameday experiences in all of FCS."
 
More ticket booths will be open: To eliminate congestion on the west side of Guidry Stadium, general will call, player passes, and high school coach passes will be located in the southwest ticket booth. Visiting team fans will continue to be serviced out of the northeast ticket booth, as will students. Student guest tickets can be also be purchased out of this northeast ticket booth.

Renovations to Restrooms: For this season, new fans have been installed in each of the four restrooms to improve air flow. Additionally, an investment was made to extensively clean and paint the restrooms, as well as install brand new LED lighting.

Game Programs: Condensed game programs will be available to fans when they enter Guidry Stadium this fall. This game program will contain a QR code for fans to access a complete game program, game notes, and additional information, as well as a link to geauxcolonels.com.

Post-game meet and greet: Following every home game, 8th-graders and under are encouraged to enter the playing area of Guidry Stadium, bring their schedule posters, and have their favorite Colonel players provide an autograph.

"Colonel Village" Enhancements: Colonel Village, a fan-festival area that began several years ago, will continue in 2017 in the same location directly north of Guidry Stadium. Colonel Village will begin three hours prior to kick off, and will feature inflatables for kids and live music. Colonel Village is nearly sold out and opens the morning of every home game. For tickets call the Nicholls Ticket Office at 985-448-4790.
 
**Due to the effects of Hurricane Harvey, Colonel Village will not include inflatables and live music for the season opener. So as to provide our tailgating fans a dry, safe, and convenient area to tailgate, fans are requested to use Lot 12 directly adjacent to their normal tailgating area. PARKING MAP

Colonel Football Gameday Splash Page: Always a great source for gameday information on geauxcolonels.com, Gameday Central will be receiving a few new features in 2017. On gamedays, please be sure to visit geauxcolonels.com!

Increased Signage and Fan Information: Additional signage is being placed on stadium fencing and throughout the concourses to assist fans and remind them of important information.

Acquisition of Additional Event Staff: The Department of Athletics with be partnering with campus and community volunteers to provide exceptional customer service to Colonel fans on gameday.

Clear Bag Policy: In an effort to enhance facility security and improve the flow at the entrance to gates, a new clear bag policy will go into effect with this year's first game. The Campus Bookstore will be available for fans to purchase clear bags outside of the main northwest gate.

Concert Series: In a constant effort to create memorable gameday experiences, Nicholls Athletics is committed to providing unique opportunities to Colonel Nation. In addition to concerts each game, other enhanced promotional events (FIREWORKS!) will be available throughout the season!

Increased Presence of In-Game Score Updates: In an effort to keep fans up to date on what's happening around the country on gameday, a concerted effort will be made to increase the number of score updates on ColonelVision throughout the game. An emphasis will be placed on Southland and other regional scores.

"Cooling Stations": This season we will introduce new areas in the concourse that will sell non-carbonated beverages and cut down on time spent in lines.

Game Themes: Each game will have a theme, beginning with our Red Out on Aug. 31. Also, to promote the synergy between athletics and academics, each game will also be dedicated to a specific college or administrative area. Aug. 31 is the College of Arts and Sciences Game, and will include a special recognition for select faculty.

Sustainability and Recycling: We desire Nicholls State University to be nationally recognized for its commitment to recycling and sustainability and the athletics department is equally dedicated to doing its part for the environment.

Individual Game Parking Passes Available: As a benefit to those who attend our games, but are unable to purchase season tickets, this fall we will provide game-by-game parking passes for $10 on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Colonel Fan Focus Group: As a part of the all-new commitment to enhancing our student-athletes and fan experiences, the athletics department has begun the process of meeting regularly with the inaugural Colonel Fan Focus Group. The focus group, made up of a diverse fan base, will assist the athletics department by providing feedback on the overall fan experience at Nicholls home events, with the desire to continually enhance and create memorable gameday experiences at our home events.

All-new video board and sound system: This investment will allow us to engage fans during the game, increase our in-game promotions, and show live game action. The Nevco product will feature a 18'*32" full-color LED video display, signage, and new sound system. Overall, it will make our gameday experience much more enjoyable!

Stadium cleaning and repainting: In August, a group of football alums and friends of the program volunteered their time and pressure washed the seating portions of Guidry Stadium. Additionally, Chase Pitre repainted the interior of the stadium as part of his Eagle Scout project. Nicholls Athletics is indebted to these individuals for their commitment to our success. Fans will also notice many more graphics inside the stadium in 2017! A few minor aesthetic improvements were also made to the Coors Light Cold Zone.

Nicholls Football Team Entrance: The Colonel football program will take the field this season through a new inflatable helmet, which was generously gifted to the department by B&G Food Enterprises, LLC. Also, fans will not want to miss the intro video on ColonelVision!

Pregame Tailgating: Campus organizations are permitted to tailgate inside the stadium prior to gates opening. However, any campus organization planning to do so must coordinate through Student Life and Sodexo.

**Due to the effects of Hurricane Harvey, students will tailgate in Lot 17 for the season opener.

Concession Services: Beginning this year, Papa John's will sell personal-sized pizzas inside the stadium! We will also introduce the 4 for $24 Family Bundle, which will include four combos of a hamburger or hot dog, bag of chips, and 20 oz. bottled beverage.

New Ticket Options: In addition to season and single game ticket options, mini-plans and single-game promotional plans will be offered following the home opener against McNeese.

Student Tailgate Area Entertainment: We will have the National Guard Obstacle Course at every game for our students to test their skills in the Student End Zone area!

**Due to the effects of Hurricane Harvey, the Student End Zone area will not be available for students for the season opener. Students are requested to sit in sections A, C, and D on the stadium's east side.

Website Improvements: Please pay attention over the coming weeks and months as we look to improve the content and consistency on the webpage. These changes will have you, the fan, in mind.

Season Ticket Holder of the Game: As a season ticket holder benefit, this fall we will honor a different season ticket holder each game as "Season Ticket Holder of the Game." 

Single game and season tickets are available by calling 985-448-4790 or by visiting nichollstickets.com. For the latest news on Colonel football, follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_FB.