RICHMOND, Ky. – A fan bus and tailgate party will highlight the pregame festivities when the Eastern Kentucky University football team opens the 2009 season at Indiana University on Thursday, September 3 in Bloomington, Ind.

Traveling on the Colonel Club fan bus entitles each person to a game ticket in the EKU section and round trip transportation for $75. In addition, fans will enjoy snacks and refreshments on the bus and not have to worry about finding a place to park, or paying additional parking fees. A limited number of seats are available. Contact EKU ticket manager Mike Park, 859-622-2122, to reserve your seat.

The Colonel Club fan bus will depart from the Alumni Coliseum parking lot at 2:30 p.m. on the game day and return immediately following the contest.

Colonel fans also have the opportunity to purchase a dinner ticket for the EKU Alumni tailgate event. The tailgate party begins at 6 p.m. EST. All alumni, family, and friends of Eastern who purchase a ticket to the game are invited to attend the tailgate cookout.

Enjoy the Backyard ‘Heavenly Ham’ grill out to include your choice of pulled BBQ pork or grilled chicken, pasta salad, baked beans, cole slaw, assorted cookies, assorted sodas, lemonade, iced tea, and ice water.

Those traveling on the Colonel Club fan bus can purchase a ticket to the tailgate dinner for $18 per person.

There are two other ticket options for those not traveling on the fan bus. A game ticket and a dinner ticket can be purchased for $35. A game ticket only can be purchased for $20.

Reservation deadline is 4 p.m. on August 21.

The cookout will be held at the Alumni Tailgate Tent in IU’s Memorial Stadium parking lot, located near the Southeast end of the stadium.

The Colonel Club fan bus will also be making trips to the Colonels’ other five road games. Contact Treka Adams, 859-622-2046, for more information on future road trips.