Friday marks the start of our 2017 football season and I couldn’t be more excited. In addition to the debut of our new head football coach Lane Kiffin, we will host the U.S. Naval Academy for the first time at FAU Stadium. Friday also is College Colors Day, the annual nationwide celebration of the traditions and spirit that embody the college experience. I encourage all FAU students, staff, alumni and fans to join me in wearing FAU Red on Friday.

When FAU played the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in 2012, our fans were greeted warmly and enjoyed a spirited game day experience. I expect the FAU family to repay their hospitality when the Midshipmen and their fans visit Boca Raton this week. It is important to remember that the U.S. Naval Academy’s football players, marching band, spirit team and many of their fans are on active duty in the U.S. Navy. Let’s show them how much we appreciate their service to our country by treating them with the utmost respect and ensure they have a wonderful evening of Football in Paradise.

We have five additional home games scheduled and should treat all of our opponents with the same amount of courtesy and respect so they leave with fond memories of FAU and Boca Raton.

To help alleviate traffic from the large crowd we expect on game day, the Boca Raton campus will close at noon Friday. Classes scheduled for early afternoon will continue, with no classes extending past 3 p.m. All other FAU campuses will operate on regular schedules.

This promises to be an exciting season, so please join me at FAU Stadium to cheer the football team on to victory. Click here to see the full season schedule.

Let’s make this game an FAU Red Out!

Go Owls!