RICHMOND, Ky. – Head EKU football coach Dean Hood and the rest of the Eastern Kentucky University football program are preparing for the 2012 national signing day which is Wednesday, Feb. 1.

On Feb. 1, EKU Athletics will tweet all of the official student-athlete signees one-by-one throughout the day. Colonel fans can keep up with the signings at www.twitter.com/ekusports. At the end of the day, an official release will be posted on EKUSports.com that includes a list of the entire signing class, as well as bio information and accolades for all of the student-athletes.

Colonel fans are then invited to Gillum’s Sports Lounge in the Richmond Mall for lunch on Thursday, Feb. 2 to listen to Hood’s thoughts on the 2012 signing class. The luncheon is scheduled to start at noon and will also include video highlights of all of the signees.

The Colonels are slated to return 17 of 22 starters (10 – offense, seven defense) in 2012 including eight first team all-conference players. EKU kicks off the 2012 schedule at Purdue on Sept. 1. Fans can reserve 2012 season tickets by contacting the EKU athletics ticket office at 859-622-2122.