Belton, Texas – On Saturday, November 3, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor celebrated its annual Military Appreciation Day. Nearly 330 veterans, active-duty soldiers, and their family members attended the final home game of the CRU football program's regular season, where they enjoyed free admission, hot dogs, chips, and drinks.
Members of every armed service were honored before and during the game. First, Chaplain Lieutenant Brian Palmer II, 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Chaplain, gave the invocation. Then, Erin Sims, a senior Computer Science major who previously served in both the Army and the Veterans Affairs Department, sang The Star-Spangled Banner. Finally, Sargent Rayvin Kassabaum, 13th ESC Personnel Strength Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, conducted the coin toss.
During halftime, the Blackshirt Cru Spirit Band performed a medley of patriotic music followed by the official hymn of each branch of the armed services. During each hymn, the active-duty and veteran members of the respective military branch stood and were celebrated by the Crusader Stadium crowd. During halftime, three UMHB students who, prior to enrolling, served in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, competed in a field goal contest.
The CRU emerged from the game victorious, defeating the Wildcats of Louisiana College by of score of 80 to 7. With this win the team's record moved to a perfect 9-0, and the CRU clinched at least a share of the American Southwest Conference (ASC) title. The Cru will close out the regular season with a game against East Texas Baptist next Saturday in Marshall. UMHB will be looking for the ninth undefeated regular season in program history and can likely lock up a #1 seed in the NCAA playoffs with a win over the Tigers
