Schools
ETSU, Mercer Presidents Celebrate Football Championship Tradition With Culinary Wager
The Buccaneers and the Bears are playing for the Southern Conference championship on Saturday in Johnson City.
JOHNSON CITY – The presidents of East Tennessee State University and Mercer University have raised the stakes for Saturday’s regular-season football finale that will decide the champion of the Southern Conference.
Both presidents have signed on to participate in a championship tradition, agreeing to graciously concede one of their state’s most sought-after culinary delicacies if their team loses the Nov. 20 contest that will kick off at 1 p.m. at Greene Stadium in Johnson City, Tenn.
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If the Bears win, ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland will send Mercer President William D. Underwood a batch of Tennessee BBQ, and if the Buccaneers win, Underwood will send Dr. Noland a case of Georgia peaches.
In addition to earning the SoCon championship, the winner of Saturday’s game will receive an automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs, which begin Nov. 27.
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The Bucs are ranked 8th in the FCS heading into the contest while Mercer is ranked 21st. Another record crowd is expected at Greene Stadium. Reserved seats have consistently sold out this season as the 9-1 Buccaneers have blown past numerous offensive and defensive school records and achieved several historic wins.
Limited tickets to Saturday’s game are available on the ETSU ticketing website.
For more information, contact Jessica Vodden at vodden@etsu.edu or 423-439-4317.
This press release was produced by East Tennessee State University. The views expressed are the author's own.