East Texas A&M University Athletics

For the fourth consecutive season, Texas A&M University-Commerce is headed to the NCAA Division II Playoffs.  The Lions have officially received an NCAA Division II Playoff bid, being tabbed as the sixth seed in Super Region Four.

This is your one stop information source for all things related to the Lions’ 2018 NCAA playoff berth.  This will provide as much initial clarity as possible, and will be updated with information as the week progresses as more specific communication from NCAA representatives and UMD becomes available.
 
How do the playoffs work?
The NCAA Division II Football Committee announced the field of 28 teams for the 2017 NCAA Division II Football Championship with seven teams filling out each of the Super Region brackets. 12 first-round games will be conducted on the campus of the higher seeded institution in each region. In addition, one team per super regional has earned a first-round bye. 

The first-round winners will all advance to the second round with games on the campus of the higher seeded competing institutions. Second-round winners will meet in the quarterfinals at various campus sites. Quarterfinal winners will advance to play in the semifinals on the campus of the higher seeded competing institutions.   The championship game will be played December 15, at 3 p.m. at the new McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney and will be broadcast live on ESPN2 HD/ESPN3.
 
Who else is in our region?
The No. 1 seed in Super Region IV is Minnesota State. The Mavericks will have a bye in the first round and will play the winner of our game in the regional semifinal. The other two first-round matchups are:
 
- Azusa Pacific (No. 7) at Tarleton (No. 2)
- Colorado State-Pueblo (No. 5) at Colorado School of Mines (No. 4)

What do we know about Minnesota-Duluth?
Athletics Website:  https://umdbulldogs.com/

The University of Minnesota Duluth campus grew from its early roots as the Duluth Normal School, to become a University of Minnesota campus in 1947. Today, UMD is a medium-sized regional university that offers students a supportive atmosphere and access to the resources of the larger University of Minnesota system. UMD students can choose from more than 93 undergraduate and post-baccalaureate degrees, and from graduate programs in more than 20 different fields. Our stellar teaching and research have earned the University of Minnesota Duluth high rankings in U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" issue.

The Bulldog football team is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and finished with a 11-0 overall record, including 6-0 at home. 

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Is there a travel package for Lion fans?
NCAA Travel provides an easy and affordable way for family and fans to follow our student-athletes and team as we head to UMD. Travel arrangements completed through NCAA Travel help support NCAA student-athletes. Please visit www.ncaa.com/travel to search and book online hotel, car and air travel, all in one easy transaction.   

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TICKETS

1. Go to www.umdbulldogs.com/lions

2. Select the game you are attending

4. Select number of tickets  

5. Add to cart, login or create and account to continue checkout process

6. Select Delivery Method (Will Call or Print at Home)

7. Enter payment method to finalize ticket order

Deadline to order tickets is November 16th @ 4pm - the promo code will become inactive. 

Tickets can then be purchase on game day at the stadium, 90 minutes prior to kick-off. 

 

I cannot make the game, will it be on TV? 
YES - Live streaming will be available for FREE HERE.
 
Will the game be on radio?
Yes.  The Lion Sports Radio Network – 89.9 KETR - will broadcast the game with Charlie Chitwood (Play-by-Play) and Brock Callaway (Color) on the call.  Pre-game begins 30 minutes prior to kickoff.  Lions Roar Weekly Radio Show will air one hour prior to kickoff. You can stream the broadcast at www.KETR.org.
 
Will there be any watch parties in the area?
Yes.  Here are the details:

COMMERCE

Luigi’s	Mugs on the Square	The Club in the Rayburn Student Center

  

LION CHAMPIONS FUND – Official Dallas Area Watch Party

Lakewood’s First and 10 6465 E. Mockingbird, #316 Dallas, TX, 75214 Kickoff 1 p.m. Watch Party Begins at Noon A&M-Commerce Reserved Spirit Section Food and drink specials if dressed in Lion spirit wear

The watch parties will feature Lion drink and appetizer specials, and several Lion spirit giveaways during the game.  For more information, contact Lion Champions Fund Executive Director Taylor Phelps.