Marketing | 8/1/2024 3:19:00 PM

August 1, 2024- Emporia State University is thrilled to invite the community to the inaugural Live at the Hive Downtown Kick-off Event, presented by Bud Light. The entire Flint Hills region is encouraged to mark calendars for an evening of fun and excitement on Saturday, August 24, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at 923 Commercial St. in downtown Emporia.

Show school spirit and support for the Hornets and area High School teams as they kick off the fall sports season. Meet players and coaches, sample local food vendors, play games and win prizes all while enjoying free live music from the band Undercover! The event will be emceed by KVOE/KFFX Hornet Football Sideline Reporter Tagan Trahoon and Emporia State Distinguished Alumni and Country Music Hall of Famer Mike Law.

"With football coming off of back-to-back nine-win seasons, soccer advancing to the regional championship for the second straight year, volleyball tripling their win total from last year and cross country returning their top three runners in both the men and women, we feel this is a great opportunity to kick-off the falls sports seasons, not just for Emporia State but for our area high schools as well," said Emporia State Vice President/Athletic Director David Spafford. "I believe this is the first-time multiple area schools have been invited together for this type of gathering in Emporia. IT's a great time to celebrate our youth."

Admission to the event is free with food and drink available for purchase. ESU Athletics will be on hand to help people purchase season tickets as well as answer questions about the Live at the Hive tailgate section and parking for the upcoming football season.

The Hornets are 18-6 over the last two seasons, the second-best record in the MIAA over that time.  Of the 22 position players that started the Heritage Bowl, Emporia State is set to return ten players on offense highlighted by All-American receiver Tyler Kahmann and seven on defense including All-MIAA defensive back Jaaron Joseph.  Last year was the eighth time in the last 11 seasons that Emporia State advanced to the post season.

The Live at the Hive Downtown Event will wrap up Welcome Week activities at Emporia State and will be the last formal opportunity for fans to meet the Hornets before the season kicks off on Thursday, August 29 against Washburn.  Kickoff for the Turnpike Tussle is set for 7:00 p.m. from Jones Field at Welch Stadium on the Emporia State campus.