JONESBORO, Ark. (8/1/24) – Arkansas State's fall camp is underway, and excitement for the Red Wolves' 2024 season is building with a maximum-capacity crowd anticipated for tomorrow's (Aug. 2) A-State Football Kickoff Party that is officially sold out.
 
The annual event, being held at Embassy Suites of Jonesboro for the first time, combines elements from A-State's traditional preseason banquet and Helmets and Heels program.
 
With over 500 tickets out and a record 61 tables sold, which nearly triples last year's total of 22, the Red Wolf Convention Center, located at the hotel, will be filled with Red Wolves fans as they join head coach Butch Jones and members of the football team for a program jam-packed with entertainment options.
 
Even while revenue generated from silent and live auctions associated with the Kickoff Party won't be finalized until after the event, it's already known that there will be at least a 28 percent growth over 2023 in total proceeds raised that go to support the Red Wolves.  This year, for the first time, fans can participate in the silent and live auction online by visiting bit.ly/2024KickoffPartyAuction.  The live auction will begin at approximately 8:15 p.m. tomorrow.
 
"As I've said before, we want to be a community-based football program, and our annual Kickoff Party has truly become a community event that our players, coaches and staff look forward to every year," said Jones.  "Selling out of tickets for this event is a testament to the remarkable support our community provides our football program.  In addition to our outstanding fan base, I want to thank Embassy Suites, the Red Wolves Foundation, the Impackt Club and our athletics and university administration for helping make this year's Kickoff Party a great success."
 
The Kickoff party will begin at 4:00 p.m. in the Caraway A and Delta Blues rooms with the silent auction, which already includes 33 items and is still growing, and a Helmets and Heels-shopping event featuring local vendors that will be on-site displaying the latest A-State apparel, gifts and gear.  There will also be a show by Hank's Live Music, performed by Hayden McClain with a set-list featuring country, classic, soft rock and more.
 
The event continues at 6:00 p.m. in the Delta Cotton/Rice rooms with drinks and hors d'oeuvres and a special event featuring the football coaching staff.
 
Dinner will be available in the Arvest Bank Ballroom beginning 30 minutes prior to the 7:30 p.m. program, which will feature Coach Jones, the live auction and more.
 
A-State's "The Sound of the Natural State" band, cheer and dance teams and Howl will also be part of the festivities inside Arvest Bank Ballroom.  An "Overtime Reception" for platinum table sponsors and 1200 CLUB members will be held on the Embassy Suites Patio at 8:30 p.m.  Information about the 1200 CLUB may be obtained by calling the Red Wolves Foundation at 870-972-2401 or online by clicking HERE.
 
The Red Wolves are coming off a bowl-game appearance for the first time since 2019 and announced 36 players as part of its 2024 recruiting class that ranked first in the Sun Belt Conference.  A-State recently placed a league-high nine selections on the Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Team.
 
Arkansas State opens the 2024 season with back-to-back home games on Saturday, Aug. 31, against Central Arkansas and Saturday, Sept. 7, versus Tulsa.  Both contests kick off at 6:00 p.m.  Season tickets may be purchased by calling the Red Wolves Foundation at 870-972-2401 or online by visiting AStateRedWolves.com/Tickets.