ULM hosts its season-ticket sale campaign and fundraiser event "2018 Kickoff with Doug Pederson," Saturday, April 21 in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. The all-day event serves as a fundraiser for Warhawk Football and features Super-Bowl Champion coach and ULM alum Doug Pederson as the key speaker at dinner that evening.
Pederson is the head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. In his second year of coaching, he led the championship team to the Super Bowl and won. The former Warhawk was a a three-year starting quarterback from 1988-90. Pederson completed 556-of-1,006 throws (.553) for 6,315 yards and 33 touchdowns.
Pederson still ranks among ULM’s all-time Top 10 in pass attempts, pass completions, passing yards and TD passes. As a senior in 1990, Pederson led the Southland Conference in passing yards (2,152) while guiding the team to the league championship (5-1) and a trip to the NCAA I-AA playoffs. He also still holds the school’s single-game records for pass attempts (71), completions (46), passing yards (619) and TD passes (5) – all set against Stephen F. Austin in 1989.
Pederson will talk about his journey from Ferndale, Washington, to his experiences as a student-athlete at NLU and later as a quarterback in the NFL. He also will share his remarkable story of launching his coaching career at Calvary Baptist Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana, to becoming a head football coach in the NFL.
John Lewandoski, ULM sports information director, says this is the perfect time to hear Pederson's story. "He obviously has roots in this area. His son is going to be Junior Tight End this fall. Saturday night he'll take us through the journey he had a year ago [winning the Super Bowl], but also talk about the journey from ULM, through his career as a quarterback in the NFL, and now as a successful coach in the League."
Lewandowski explains that the ULM football team is ready to compete this fall, "Doug is excited that we're working to reconnect the the community. Coach Viator has done a tremendous job making this team competitive, but we know that we need a home crowd behind us."
Tickets for “2018 Kickoff with Doug Pederson” are now on sale now.
Coach Viator has done a tremendous job making this team competitive.
VIP tables of eight are available for $2,500 and individual VIP tickets for $250. Those who purchase $2,500 tables and $250 individual tickets will have access to a VIP reception beginning at 6:30 p.m., along with an opportunity to have their photo taken with Pederson.
The schedule for Saturday includes:
8 a.m.: Grove opens for tailgating.
12:30-1 p.m.: Selected football players available for autographs prior to ULM-Appalachian State baseball game at Warhawk Field.
12:30 p.m.: Ceremonial first pitch with ULM quarterback Caleb Evans and All-America wide receiver Marcus Green.
1 p.m.: ULM Baseball vs. Appalachian State (Warhawk Field).
3:30 p.m.: Malone Stadium gates open; DJ provides live entertainment and on-field activities for children.
4 p.m.: ULM Alumni Association/Ouachita Parish Crawfish Boil (Malone Stadium/south end zone).
5 p.m.: ULM Spring Football Game (Malone Stadium/free admission).
6:30-7:15 p.m.: VIP reception and photo opportunity with Doug Pederson.
7 p.m.: Fant-Ewing Coliseum gates open.
7:30 p.m.: Formal program begins with Doug Pederson.