News

Falcon football holds Fan Day

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Heather Stanton
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY --  Falcon football fans got the opportunity to get up close and personal with the team during the seventh annual Falcon Football Fan Day Aug. 9 at Falcon Stadium.

Approximately 2,000 fans came out to watch the team practice and interact with the team.

"Fan Day is a community event that Air Force football does as the season gets closer for the local community to have a chance to come out and meet some of the players they will be cheering for," said Troy Garnhart, Air Force Academy Athletic Department associate athletic direct for information and communications.

Fan Day started as an idea from Amanda Calhoun, head coach Troy Calhoun's wife, and Kimberley Garnhart (Garnhart's wife), when the two families went to lunch together one Sunday, according to Garnhart. The two women talked about how it would be great to allow the Colorado Springs community to interact with young role models on the Falcon football team.

"They wanted to do something different than what had been done in previous community events and the four of us worked together to start Kids Day," he said. "It held that name for the first six years, then was changed to Fan Day this year."

Attendees of the event not only got to watch the practice, but enjoyed locker room tours, an inflatable fun zone, live music from the U.S. Air Force Academy Band, cheer and dance performances, and autographs with the team.

"Falcon Fan Day is great for children," said Staff Sgt. Pamela Garside, 21st Dental Squadron. "My son had a great time watching the practice, getting team autographs and playing with the other kids."

The team will debut for the 2014 season at noon Aug. 30 at Falcon Stadium against Nicholls State. Tickets and parking passes are on sale at www.GoAirForceFalcons.com.