Missouri Western State University invites all Griffon fans to a special event called Rally ’Round the Griffons from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12 at the Rally House in the East Hills Shopping Center. The event will include free hot dogs, giveaways, autographs, photo opportunities and more. Attendees will receive a coupon from Rally House for a discount on Griffon gear.
“The first Paint It Gold Friday of the year will be that Friday, the day before our first home football game of the season,” said Mallory Murray, Missouri Western’s director of public relations and marketing. “We wanted to kick off that tradition with a fun, family-friendly event while welcoming a new business in St. Joseph that carries a wide variety of Griffon clothing and merchandise.”
The Golden Griffon Marching Band will be on hand to perform, and the Missouri Western Alumni Association is supplying free hot dogs and lemonade to all those in attendance. Free posters will also be given away and student athletes from football, volleyball and soccer will be signing autographs. Missouri Western’s mascot, Max the Griffon, will be available for photos, and there will be free face painting. Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s president; Kurt McGuffin, director of athletics; and fall sport coaches will speak at about 6:15.
Rally ’Round the Griffons is part of Missouri Western’s Paint It Gold campaign to increase the visibility of the community’s support of the university. The campaign includes free flags, stickers, buttons and window-painting for participating businesses, and a request that the community dress in Griffon black and gold on Fridays to show their pride. As part of the first Paint It Gold Friday on Sept. 13, Griffon coaches and student athletes will solicit donations for the United Way of Greater St. Joseph at locations throughout the community.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.