There are great events and processes that are happening here at Tarleton State. Without James Hurley, the university president, we would not have the start of many buildings, parking, and his team to help with it all. From the new parking garage to the new event center, Dr. Hurley is pushing Tarleton State to higher limits, but there is one more thing that not a lot of people know. 

Last year, for the first football game, the class of 2026 was the first ever to do a run before the start of the football game. All freshmen were invited to the football field and waited for  the countdown to begin. Once it hit zero, they ran from one end zone to the other end zone with the football players following closely behind. Hurley was the first to introduce this, as it was a way to show appreciation to all freshmen for choosing Tarleton State as their home. While this was what seemed to be a once in a lifetime opportunity, other students with different classifications were very intrigued and began the talk of wanting to gain the same experience.  

Dr. Hurley was informed of the ongoing chatter and  how it would be very honoring for seniors to do it for the very last home game. It brought attention to him how each home game, there could be a different classification that will run a different home game. 

On Aug. 27, the night of Sundaes on Sunday, Hurley announced that on each home football game there will be a different class to start the game with a run off.

“It’ll be an awesome tradition to start here at Tarleton, so we hope for everyone to come,” Dr. Hurley announced. 

On Sept. 9, Tarleton State kickoff will begin at 6 p.m. against North Alabama. Before the start of the game, this allows all freshmen to meet at the Texan Tunnel entrance to allow them to enter onto the field and do the runoff. 

On Sept. 23, the game will allow sophomores to do the runoff with the football team following them, ready to take on Southwest Baptist.

On Oct. 7, the game against Southern Utah will have juniors do the runoff before the start of the football game.

On October 21, there will be no runoff because of homecoming as there are already a bunch of events and the crowning of homecoming king and queen for this game.

On November 4, for the last home game, seniors will run as the football team follows behind them as they go against Stephen F. Austin. 

For information about where to grab tickets, go to https://tarletontickets.universitytickets.com/w/?cid=187 and make sure to keep up with all social media platforms @tarletonstate.