TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University athletics department today announced enhancements to the football game-day experience at Johnny Unitas® Stadium for the 2023 season.

 Among the changes are a new tailgate area for fans, additions to the Family Fun Zone and improved concessions offerings.

Located in parking Lot 4, near Gate D, "Goh Zone" will feature live entertainment, food trucks and games. Presented by Baltimore County Tourism and The Loop – Towson's Free Ride, Goh Zone will open 30-minutes after lots open for tailgating and close 30-minutes prior to kickoff.

Pregame entertainment will be headlined onstage by the School of Rock Towson, while Barley's Backyard Uptown will be bringing their special brand of fun and games to the area. The Tap Room at Big Truck Farm Brewery will be tabling each game and offering a chance to win a Big Truck K5 Blazer.  

For the first time in 25 years fans can purchase Coca-Cola products on campus and for the first time in more than 40 years, the University has a new dining services provider – Aramark Collegiate Hospitality – to oversee concessions.

Prices on most concession items will be reduced for the 2023 season. A classic hot dog, which was $6.25 a year ago, will be $3.00; the chicken tenders meal deal will be lowered from $13.50 to $10.00; a soda cup will now be $4.50 compared to $5.25 and a bottle of water will now be $4.00 instead of $5.25.

"Fans won't just have the football to look forward to either," Towson Director of Athletics Steve Eigenbrot said.  "We've got a new tailgating experience in Lot 4 called the Goh Zone, which should elevate the energy level pre-game and a great new concessions partner in Aramark. We have brought down concession prices and are excited about the quality of the fan experience we will be able to provide."

Aramark will also be overseeing the hospitality area behind the east end zone. The tent opens 90 minutes prior to kickoff, is available to all fans free of charge and will be accessible from both the North and South stands while offering food and drink specials, including Ledo Pizza, as well as an up-close view of on-field action. 

Sponsored by Baltimore County Tourism and Ocean City, Maryland, the new and improved Family Fun Zone will feature inflatables with student-athletes on the track to sign autographs, play games with kids and interact with fans on sport-specific drills. The Family Fun Zone is also located in the east end zone of Unitas Stadium.

Last season, beer sales were added to the concession stands for sporting events at Unitas Stadium and SECU Arena. For football games, beer sales begin from the time the gates open 90 minutes before kickoff until the end of the third quarter.

The 2023 home football schedule features five home games, beginning with the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) opener versus Monmouth on Sept. 9 (6 p.m.). The Tigers also face Norfolk State (Sept. 23, 4 p.m.), UAlbany (Oct. 7, 4 p.m.), Delaware (Oct. 28, 4 p.m.) and Rhode Island (Nov. 18, 1 p.m.).

The campaign kicks off Sept. 2 at Maryland under first year head coach Pete Shinnick. Shinnick is 159-67 (.704 winning percentage) all-time as a college head coach, spanning 20 seasons with stops at West Florida, UNC Pembroke and Azusa Pacific. He has earned Division II National Coach of the Year twice and guided West Florida to the Division II national championship in 2019 and playoff appearances in four of the last five seasons played.

"We are really excited about the first year of Coach Shinnick and his staff," added Eigenbrot.  "Between the new offensive style, some of our returners on defense and Coach Pete's history of quickly improving programs, there's a lot to look forward to and we can't wait to pack Unitas Stadium this fall."

Season and single-game tickets are available by visiting https://am.ticketmaster.com/towson/. For any questions regarding tickets for Towson events, call the Towson Athletics ticket office at 410-704-4501 or email dkogok@towson.edu.