The 19th-ranked Chattanooga Mocs have a big test this week. They travel to Lexington, Va., to tackle defending Southern Conference Champ VMI on Saturday. That’s a week before a special visitor comes to the Scenic City.
American Idol winner Ruben Studdard is scheduled to sing the National Anthem prior to the Mocs rivalry week matchup with ETSU.
The game is sponsored by UTC’s Division of Diversity and Engagement.
“This is exciting news for our city,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Mark Wharton began. “American Idol is arguably the most successful reality show in pop culture history. We are very grateful to the Division of Diversity and Engagement for sponsoring the game and getting such an impactful presence like Ruben Studdard to join us and perform the anthem.
“It is fitting for a game of this magnitude.”
In celebration of Ruben Studdard’s performance, the Mocs marketing and ticketing gurus went to work. The special guest is from Birmingham and often wore “205” shirts during the competition so for this game, tickets in the chair-backed section 205 are $20, a 20 percent discount. Section 205 tickets are available by calling (423) 266-MOCS (6627). All other seating is available by phone, online here at GoMocs.com or through the GoMocs app available on Android and Apple IOS devices in their respective app stores.
Studdard won the second season of American Idol. He earned a Grammy Award nomination in 2003 for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for the hit “Superstar”. He’s released seven studio albums in his musical career and played Fats Waller in a national tour of Ain’t Misbehavin’ which spawned a Grammy-nominated soundtrack.
The Mocs and Bucs are currently two of four undefeated teams in SoCon play. Chattanooga is ranked No. 19 with a 2-2 record, 1-0 in the league. ETSU is 5-0, 2-0 in conference play and rated No. 12. Game time is slated for 1:30 p.m., at Finley Stadium.
NEXT 3 WEEKS
Oct. 16: No. 13 ETSU, 1:30 p.m. | Current Record: 5-0/2-0 | This Week: The Citadel
Oct. 23: at Samford, 1 p.m. | Current Record: 2-3/1-2 | This Week: Off Week
Oct. 30: Furman (Homecoming), 1:30 p.m. | Current Record: 2-2/0-1 | This Week: at Wofford