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This year's season is a historic milestone as we are celebrating our 100th season of Mulerider football.
The program's inaugural season was in 1911 and featured just a two-game slate under head coach George Ruford Turrentine. Turrentine, who is perhaps most-famously known to have first attributed the nickname of "Muleriders" to his football players, went on to lead the program for six more years and a team was fielded each year thereafter until 1937.
No team was fielded in 1938 and 1939, but football returned to Magnolia in 1940 under Arvil Green. The return to the gridiron was brief however, as there was another halt in the program's history from 1942-1945 in light of World War II.
In 1946 football resumed with 2003 SAU Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Elmer Smith at the helm. Since that year, there have been no interruptions and Mulerider Football has played in 71 consecutive seasons through the most-recent 2016 campaign.
To celebrate our 100th year of football, we are starting a challenge. Our goal is to reach 100 donors by the end of the football season. All funds raised will go towards the football program, and will be used to enhance the SAU Football Program.
What happens when we reach 100 donors?
If this project reaches 100 donors, Coach Keopple must ride the SAU Mule, Molly Ann, in true Mulerider spirit with a cowboy hat and the Mulerider flag waving proudly!
We want to see that, and we know you do too!
Your gift will not only provide funds to help strengthen the Mulerider Football program, but will also provide us all with a great way to remember the 100th season of football here at Southern Arkansas University!
What are you waiting for? Make your gift now and share with ALL of your SAU family and friends.