Aug. 25, 2008

SAN DIEGO - In effort to show its appreciation and continued support, the San Diego State department of athletics has donated more than 5,000 Aztec football tickets to local active duty military and their families.

"We are so pleased and honored to have partnered with the Navy and the Marine Corps at both Camp Pendleton and Miramar to provide free tickets to the soldiers, sailors and aviators who protect us and our country," SDSU director of athletics Jeff Schemmel said. "It is a very small way to say thank you to them and their families for what they do for all of us. We want to make this a tradition at San Diego State forever."

SDSU has distributed tickets to three local military agencies - the San Diego Armed Services YMCA, the Camp Pendleton Armed Services YMCA and the MCCS Department at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar - among others.

San Diego State has had a long-standing relationship with local military agencies and will continue to do so in the future. Earlier this year, the football team held its first two days of practice at Camp Pendleton and later this season will partner with Fleet Week San Diego for the annual GEICO Fleet Week Football Classic vs. Air Force on Oct. 11.

The Aztecs open their season Saturday, Aug. 30, at Qualcomm Stadium vs. Cal Poly. Game time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. PT.