TOLEDO, Ohio – The University of Toledo President Sharon L. Gaber and Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz will kick off the start of the second annual "Rocket Week" with an official proclamation and ceremonial raising of The University of Toledo Athletics flag at a news conference at One Government Center on Friday, Sept. 6 at 10:00 a.m.
 
            Rocket Week is a series of special events leading up to the home-opening football game of the Toledo Rockets. The Rockets host Murray State at the Glass Bowl on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 7:00 p.m.
 
            In addition to the location at One Government Center, Rocket flags will be in place at other city buildings and parks. Mayor Kapszukiewicz and Dr. Gaber will both appear at the news conference on Sept. 6. In addition to promoting Rocket Week, they will be asking businesses and fans to fly their Rocket flags during the week leading up to the home opener and all season long.
 
As part of Rocket Week, UToledo and the city of Toledo also will recognize city employees during the game and during pregame festivities.
 
            Some of the events during Rocket Week include the annual Backyard Barbecue at noon and a pep rally at 12:30 p.m. at Centennial Mall on UToledo's Main Campus on Tuesday, Sept. 10, as well as downtown pep rallies on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 12 and 13. The Thursday pep rally will take place at Levis Square at noon during Lunch at Levis. The pep rally on Friday will continue a tradition in which the Rocket Marching Band performs at various establishments in the entertainment district that evening, marching through the downtown streets between each performance.
 
            Another exciting event during Rocket Week will be the "Battle of the Badges" flag football game between the City of Toledo fire and police departments in the Glass Bowl on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Tickets are available for $15 and include admission to the Rockets' home opener on Sept. 14. Three dollars from every ticket sold will be donated to each organization's charity. The fire department is donating to Toledo Firefighters' Local 92 Charity, while the police department is contributing to the Toledo Police Patrolman's Association.

            Throughout Rocket Week, and especially on Rocket Thursday, fans are encouraged to wear their Rocket gear or school colors midnight blue and gold in support of UToledo. The University celebrates Rocket Thursday each week throughout the school year.
 
As a special promotion for the home opener, City of Toledo employees have the option of purchasing tickets for $12 when purchased prior to game day by using the promo code TOLEDO. All others in the Toledo community may purchase tickets for $19 from Sept. 6-13 (prior to game day) by using the promo code ROCKET.
 
            For more information about Rocket Week or to purchase football tickets, stop by the Rocket Ticket Office at Savage Arena, go online (UTRockets.com) or call 419-530-GOLD (4653).

Rocket Week Events
 
• Sunday, Sept. 8:

• 1:00 p.m. - Rocket Women's Soccer vs. Wright State at Paul Hotmer Field.

• Tuesday, Sept. 10:

• Noon - Backyard Barbecue, UToledo Main Campus, Centennial Mall
• 12:30 p.m. - Pep Rally, UToledo Main Campus, Centennial Mall

• Wednesday, Sept. 11:

• 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. - Health Science Campus Picnic, Four Seasons Bistro and outside the Health Education Building, Health Science Campus
• 12:30 p.m. - Memorial Stair Climb, Glass Bowl
• 6:30 p.m. - Toledo Fire vs. Toledo Police "Battle of the Badges" Flag Football Game, Glass Bowl

• Thursday, Sept. 12:

• Noon - Pep Rally at Lunch at Levis, Levis Square, Downtown Toledo

• Friday, Sept. 13:

• 9:00-10:30 p.m. - Rocket Marching Band Pep Rally Parade at downtown entertainment district

• Saturday, Sept. 14:

• 7:00 p.m. – Toledo vs. Murray State, Glass Bowl

 
For more information about Rocket Week, go to: UTRockets.com/rocketweek