Stephenville — Tarleton Men’s Basketball will usher in its new era in the EECU Center with the first-ever basketball game against the Big 12’s TCU Horned Frogs on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 3 p.m.
The exhibition contest for the Texans, presented by Barefoot Campus Outfitter, will mark the first basketball game held in the newly constructed EECU Center. For the first time in the program’s history, a Power Four conference opponent will head to Stephenville.
“October 19th should be one of the most memorable and exciting sporting events in Tarleton State history,” said head coach Billy Gillispie. “It’s only so often that you have the great fortune to open and play in a world-class facility on your own campus. The lead up to the opening of the EECU Center has been incredible and will only get even more exciting as people are able to visit and experience the first-rate home of the Texans. We are extremely grateful that TCU would agree to be our guest for our inaugural contest. This will be a day to remember forever for players, students, fans, and the people of Stephenville.”
The two squads will meet for the third time in program history with each of the first two meetings previously coming in Fort Worth. The Texans bested the Horned Frogs in their last meeting, a 68-59 victory in Fort Worth on Nov. 19, 2005. TCU has only lost its season opener twice in the 21st century, with one of those two losses against the Texans to start the 2005-06 season.
Season ticket holders will have an exclusive window to purchase tickets for the exhibition contest on Wednesday, starting at 12 p.m. Tickets for the Texans vs. Horned Frogs game will be available to the general public on Thursday at 12 p.m.
Mid-court sections 102 and 111 feature larger, padded seats. Team benches will be on the west side of the event center, in front of sections 101 and 103. The student section will be on the north end of the event center near the visiting team bench, covering sections 105, 106, 107, 108, 109 and 110. The main fan entrances will be on the northeast and northwest corners of the event center.
Prior to Oct. 19, the newly-constructed arena will have a pair of non-sporting events. Comedian Leann Morgan will take the stage on Sept. 7 and country-singer Koe Wetzel will perform on Sept. 13. The EECU Center will offer seating for nearly 10,000 for concerts and up to 8,000 for basketball games. The $125 million two-story multipurpose arena will host events including NCAA Division I basketball, symposiums, conferences, concerts and conventions.
The EECU Center will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday at 10 a.m.
Tarleton State’s first conference slate inside the EECU Center was announced last month, and its non-conference regular season schedule will be announced at a later date.
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