SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College athletics department and Kangaroo football team will be celebrating former head coach Mel Tjeerdsma on September 22 as the 'Roos host Hendrix College, with that date being designated Mel Tjeerdsma Day.
Earlier this year the National Football Foundation announced that Tjeerdsma is one of 13 new inductees into the College Football Hall of Fame, and Austin College and representatives from the NFF will be on the field to make a presentation to the legendary coach prior to kickoff. The 'Roos are set to play against Hendrix at 1:00 p.m. on that day, with the unique twist being that both of the games head coaches played for Tjeerdsma. Austin College's Loren Dawson played under Tjeerdsma for the 'Roos, as did Hendrix coach - and Austin College alum - Buck Buchanan.
Tjeerdsma remains the winningest head coach in Austin College football history, as well as the 10th winningest coach in NCAA Division II history from his time at Northwest Missouri State University, where he also won three national championships.
Tjeerdsma recently retired as the athletics director at Northwest Missouri, and will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in December.
The schedule of events for September 22 is as follows:
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Reception in Slats McCord Honor Room (Mason Complex); beverages served
12:45 p.m. - On-field presentation by the National Football Foundation; Coin Flip
1:00 p.m. - KICKOFF
The Larry Kramer Outback will be open at 11:00 a.m. and throughout the game, featuring complimentary food and beverages