Jonesboro Times

Students will gather in Centennial Bank Stadium Thursday evening for the 25th anniversary of Order of the Pack, an Arkansas State University fall semester tradition.

Order of the Pack is organized annually by the Student Activities Board (SAB) and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics to welcome a new class into the Red Wolves family. Gates on the west side of the stadium will open at 7 p.m. with the program beginning a half-hour later.

Students will be introduced to A-State cheers and chants in preparation for the first home football game, which is Saturday, Sept. 3. Kickoff for the season-opening game with Grambling State is set for 6 p.m.

Those attending will hear from Butch Jones, head football coach; Jeff Purinton, vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics; and Todd Shields, chancellor.

A-State’s athletic teams will be introduced, and a special video will include highlights from the first 25 years of Order of the Pack. The Sound of the Natural State, A-State’s marching band, will perform.

“I am stoked for this year’s Order of the Pack and can’t wait to reveal a lot of new ideas for the student section this football season," said Tyler Guthrie of Forrest City, a junior physical education major and athletic engagement director for SAB. "I hope our student body will show up and show out for the Red Wolves this year.”

Organizations and residence hall students will compete enthusiastically for spirit awards, and the theme for the 2022 Homecoming will be revealed.

Prior to Order of the Pack, students will enjoy food and snow cones during a tailgate experience beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the A-State Pavilion.

T-shirts will be distributed to first 1,500 students following Order of the Pack.

A-State alumni and friends are welcome to join students in the stadium to relive their own Order of the Pack experience.

As part of A-State’s game week experience, the university community is also observing Paint the Town Red, organized by the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce. Paint the Town includes the “Back the Pack Rally” starting at 4 p.m. at Embassy Suites, adjacent to the stadium site.

Some offices at A-State also are participating in the Paint the Town decorating and window dressing competition. Winners will be announced at the end of Order of the Pack.

Original source can be found here.