There will be a lot of football taking place at Emporia State University this weekend. And this has become a golden — or black-and-golden — recruiting opportunity for ESU.
After years of hosting one of the Kansas State High School Activities Association high school football championships, Welch Stadium will host three. Vice President and Director of Athletics David Spafford says there’s not much difference in the structure of a three-game schedule or a one-game schedule.
The weekend schedule includes:
*2 pm Friday: Class 6A, Gardner-Edgerton vs Manhattan
*1 pm Saturday: Class 4A, Bishop Miege vs Andover Central
*7 pm Saturday: Class 5A, St Thomas Aquinas vs Hays
Volunteers are needed in a range of roles like sales of tickets, programs, merchandise and concessions. Residents can call Executive Administrative Assistant Ashley Foraker at 620-341-5349 or email aforaker@emporia.edu for information or to sign up.
While planning is culminating for the football side of the weekend, it’s also culminating for a list of connected activities when it comes to recruiting. This includes discounts on all sales at the Memorial Union and special hours at Starbucks on campus. It also includes tours and extra ways to apply for admission.
Spafford says another reason this is important for ESU is because the population centers being represented — Kansas City, Hays, Manhattan and Wichita — are among Emporia State’s target markets, so having a full opportunity to participate in or watch the games and learn more about the university’s opportunities.
Besides the potential benefits on campus, this is likely to be a huge weekend for the city of Emporia. An estimated 15,000 to 20,000 people — or more — are expected to travel to Emporia for the games, meaning an estimated positive economic impact of around $1.5 million.
