This Saturday come on out to witness the MSU Beavers take on the UMN Duluth Bulldogs in this year’s Prairie Warrior Bowl! This military inspired football game will offer FREE game tickets to Military members (active duty or retired) as well as to local first responders.

Keli Rosselli-Sullivan, Workforce Development/Military Liaison at Minot Area Chamber EDC said, “ [the game] was inspired by Brekka Kramer, President/CEO of the Minot Area Chamber EDC and Mark Harmon, VP of Student Affairs with Minot State University. It’s been our goal to integrate Minot AFB into the Minot community and show our appreciation to those who fight for our country. We make it a point to do several military appreciation events throughout the year.”

Rosselli-Sullivan explained that the now yearly football game will include the national anthem flags presented by the Minot AFB color guard, a halftime performance from children who attend the YMCA and a military members push up contest during the 3rd quarter break. She also mentioned that the game will further represent the military community by having tailgating from 11 am -1 pm before the game in which free military appreciation t-shirts will be handed out. The game represents the proud heritage of Minot AFB along with the rich community Minot has to offer by having many local restaurants participating in the tailgating pre-football party.

The title “Prairie Warrior” stems from the term of endearment that the city of Minot sometimes pins to military members at Minot AFB. The Airmen are the warriors of the vast prairie land here in North Dakota. There is a large-scale auction every spring called the “Prairie Warrior Auction” which is hosted by the city and all proceeds go to the support Airmen and their squadrons at Team Minot. Rosselli-Sullivan explained that this game is another way to represent the bond between the two communities and honor the military members now calling North Dakota their home.