Oct. 31, 2007

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State athletic department will honor those men and women who bravely put their lives on the line in protecting the county during last week's wildfires on Saturday at Qualcomm Stadium when the Aztec football team plays host to Wyoming at 6 p.m. PT.

San Diego State is making game tickets available to all firemen, police, medical staff, military personnel and members of the American Red Cross who were involved in responding to the devastating fires. More than 4,500 tickets to date have been distributed among those agencies. San Diego State will also provide several opportunities for those individuals to be recognized during the game.

Those scheduled to participate in pregame ceremonies include San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, chairman of the San Diego Board of Supervisors Ron Roberts, San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne and Interim Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross' San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter Joe Craver. In addition, Mountain West Conference Commissioner Craig Thompson, SDSU President Stephen Weber and Aztec Athletic Director Jeff Schemmel will be present for the on-field pregame ceremony.

Pregame ceremonies are scheduled to begin a few minutes before 6 p.m., and fans are encouraged to be in their seats to help pay tribute to the agencies and the military.

Other events scheduled for Saturday's game include:

• The San Diego State football team will wear a sticker for the remainder of the season beginning Saturday. The sticker is of a yellow firefighter helmet with the letters SD inscribed on the front.

• San Diego State student-athletes will work side-by-side with members of the Red Cross to accept cash donations at all gates from 4-6:30 p.m.

• The Aztec marching band will pay tribute to the San Diego Fire Department and San Diego Police Department during their pregame performance.

• Taped video messages from head coach Chuck Long and athletic director Jeff Schemmel will be shown on the video boards.

The athletic department has made $5 field level tickets available to the general public for Saturday's game. Fans can purchase those tickets online at GoAztecs.com or in person at the Aztec Ticket Office at Qualcomm Stadium.