Thursday, Jun. 19, 2008

Hill coming to Merced

Fan-rousing event to hit up Los Banos too

Sun-Star Wire Services

FRESNO -- Pat Hill is ready to take on Merced County by storm.

The Bulldog football coach, along with Fresno State athletic department personnel, is set to take part in the Pat Hill Football Caravan from July 7-10.

And the cities of Merced and Los Banos will reap the benefits.

During the four-day event, Hill will make stops in eight different cities across the Valley to meet fans and help generate support for the upcoming football season.

This fall, the Bulldogs host Big 10 powerhouse Wisconsin and travel to Big East foe Rutgers and the Pac-10's UCLA.

On July 8, Hill's trek brings him to a stop at Merced's Big Bubba's Bad BBQ (560 W. 18th St.) from 5 to 6 p.m. with KNAH 106.3 HANK FM and KABX Oldies 97.5 FM.

The caravan will then move to Espana's in Los Banos (1460 E. Pacheco Blvd.) the next day from noon to 1 p.m. before heading to Madera

At each stop, Fresno State fans will have an opportunity to purchase 2008 football season tickets, mini-plan packages and family plans.

When season tickets are purchased, fans will receive an official Nike coaches hat signed by Hill.

"We are proud to be the Valley's team and love going out to meet our great fans," Hill said.

"The 2008 season is going to be exciting and bring a lot of national attention to our valley. I hope fans will come out and get their season tickets. We are looking forward to it."

Wisconsin game-day T-shirts will be on sale for $15 as well as other Bulldog merchandise. Hill will sign autographs at each stop and fans will have an opportunity to participate in a question and answer session with Hill.

The first caravan stop will be July 7 in Bakersfield. Hill will then travel to Paso Robles before preparing to head to a site to be determined in Modesto.

On July 10, the final day of the caravan, Hill will be in Visalia before concluding the event in Fresno.

Fresno State finished last year with a 9-4 record and a victory over ACC-foe Georgia Tech in the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl.

This year, the Dogs are ranked No. 25 in the Athlon's Preseason Top 25 poll.