Courtesy of Westfield State Sports Information

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State University football will celebrate Military Appreciation Day as the Owls host Western Connecticut State on Friday, November 11 at 7:00 p.m. at Alumni Field. The Owls (2-7, 1-6 MASCAC) play host to the Colonials (4-5, 3-4 MASCAC) in the Owls' final game of the 2016 season.

The game is also senior night for the Owls with three seniors on this year's roster being recognized before the game; offensive lineman Pat Lydon, defensive lineman Don Murphy, and running back Ryan Wilder.

Game admission is free for veterans and military members with IDs, Westfield State students, faculty, and staff. Adult tickets are $6 and students and senior tickets are $3.

Westfield State currently has 231 military-connected students registered including active-duty, veterans, and family members.

Military-themed events begins with a free Military/Veteran Resource Fair at 5:30 p.m. and a tailgating party from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Horace Mann Center parking lot. The fair includes information for veterans and military members with representation from Homeward Vets, Statewide Advocacy for Veterans' Empowerment (SAVE), the Team Red, White, and Blue Springfield Chapter, and the U.S. Family Health Plan among others. In addition, there will be a collection for Homeward Vets, an organization which serves veterans in need who are underprivileged and underserved, to build their lives. Items in need include silverware, cups, plates, pots, and pans. The free tailgate party begins at 6 p.m. and hamburgers, garden burgers and hotdogs will be served.

To RSVP for the tailgate and resource fair, and park in the Horace Mann Center parking lot, please RSVP by Nov. 10 to Lisa Ducharme at LDucharme@westfield.ma.edu or visit https://secure.blueoctane.net/forms/SMO8I8Y3T97U.

Student veteran Jonathan Taylor '18 of Westfield, Mass. will sing the National Anthem before the game. The Legion family in Westfield, which includes the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of The American Legion will post the colors before the start of the game.