Marketing | 10/23/2024 8:36:00 PM

October 23, 2024-With the athletic teams at Emporia State moving into "crossover" season, there are several special events planned over the next week for Hornet fans.

Things start out with Late Night at White on Thursday, October 24 at White Auditorium in downtown Emporia. Fans can get a sneak peek at the 2024-25 Hornet and Lady Hornet basketball teams when doors to White Auditorium will open at 6:30 p.m. for the free event. At 7:30 p.m. the lights in the arena will go down and a spot light will help introduce the 2024-25 Hornets and Lady Hornets. After introductions there will be several games on the court including a three-point contest for the women and a dunk exhibition for the men. In between the women's and men's scrimmages there will be a ping pong ball challenge during which fans will get the opportunity to win prizes by throwing ping pong balls into the back of a chariot driven around Slaymaker Court.

The weekend will start out on the road with the Hornet soccer team in Kearney, Neb. on Friday night. Emporia State will play Neb.-Kearney at 7:00 p.m. at Cope Stadium.  It will be the first of two events at Cope Stadium this weekend for Emporia State. 

On Saturday the #14 Hornet football team will take on Neb.-Kearney with kick off set for 2:00 p.m. There will be a pregame event for Emporia State fans in the Nebraskan Student Union Room 310/312 starting at 12:30 p.m. Finger foods and a drink ticket will be provided free of charge.  Although this is a free event, fans are encouraged to contact Zach Fief at zfief@emporia.edu or 620-341-5349 to help ensure an accurate headcount.

Not all the action is in Nebraska on Saturday as the Emporia State cross country teams will be competing at the MIAA Championships in St. Joseph, Mo. The men's 8K race will begin at 10:00 a.m. with the women's 6K to follow at 11:00 a.m. on the campus of Missouri Western.

The only home action of the weekend will be Saturday afternoon when Emporia State volleyball plays host to Washburn in the Turnpike Tussle at White Auditorium.  First serve is set for 3:00 p.m. The two teams went five sets when they met earlier in Topeka. 

On Sunday the Hornet soccer team will travel to Warrensburg, Mo. for a rematch of the last three MIAA Tournament Championship matches as they take on Central Missouri. Kick-off from the South Rec Complex is set for 1:00 p.m.

Sunday night the Emporia State men's basketball team will take the court for the first time under Coach Tom Billeter when they take on Wichita State in an exhibition game in Koch Arena in Wichita. There will be a get together for Hornet fans at the Social Tap Drinkery located at 4510 E. 19^th St. N, Ste 101 in Wichita starting at 3:00 p.m. There is no advanced registration with food and drink on your own before the Hornets and Shockers tip off at 6:30 p.m.

Events will wrap up with the fourth annual Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Trunk or Treat on Monday, October 28 inside the ESU Student Rec Center. The SAAC Trunk or Treat is a free, safe and convenient opportunity to pick up treats and engage with representatives of all 17 of Emporia State's intercollegiate athletic programs. Student-athletes will be on site in uniform or costumes from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
 
Thursday
               Men's and Women's Basketball Late Night at White at 7:30 pm
Friday 
Soccer at UNK at 7:00 pm
Saturday
Cross Country at MIAA Championships in St. Joseph, Mo. at 10:00 am 
Football Pregame Event at UNK at 12:30 pm
           Football at UNK at 2:00 pm
Volleyball vs Washburn in White Auditorium at 3:00 pm
Tennis at Washburn Tournament
Disc Golf D1 men at Midwest Collegiate Takeover in Morton, Ill.
Sunday
Soccer at UCM at 1:00 pm
           Men's Basketball Pregame event at Wichita State at 3:00 pm
Men's Basketball at Wichita State 6:30 pm
Tennis at Washburn Tournament
Disc Golf D1 men at Midwest Collegiate Takeover in Morton, Ill.
Monday
               Hornet Talk at Bruff's at 12:20 pm
               SAAC Trunk or Treat at ESU Student Rec Center at 6:00 p.m.