Florida Atlantic hosts Navy on Saturday at Howard Schnellenberger Field at Flagler Credit Union Stadium in the American Conference opener for both programs. The game is Florida Atlantic’s annual Salute to Service game, sponsored by Flagler Credit Union. The opening announcement lists a 7:30 p.m. kickoff, while the broadcast information lists a 7:35 p.m. ET start on ESPNU.
The Florida Atlantic Sports Network radio pregame show begins at 7 p.m. on FOX Sports 640 South Florida. Television coverage includes Courtney Lyle on play-by-play, Rene Ingoglia as analyst and Tom Wicks as producer. Ken LaVicka, Chris Newbold, Mike Mrezcko and Frank Forte are listed for the Florida Atlantic Sports Network broadcast.
Salute to Service activities
The weekend will honor people who have served or are actively serving the nation while commemorating the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001. Pregame activities include a flyover by HSM-72, a naval helicopter squadron from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, and a performance by the Marching Owls. Jillian Flaherty will perform the national anthem alongside a giant American flag on the field.
Flaherty is an alumna of the Military and Veterans Student Success program. Color guards will include Navy Sea Cadets, NJROTC members from Boca Raton High School and Royal Palm Beach High School, and FAU Army ROTC. Local first responders and active-duty service members will be recognized during the game, with a military swearing-in ceremony scheduled for the second quarter.
Publix Paradise Plaza near Gates 1 and 2 will feature military and first responder vehicles and activations. The area opens at 5 p.m. and will include inflatables, food trucks, games, giveaways and sponsor activations. The Owls Pregame Live concert featuring Homegrown, a Zac Brown tribute band, begins at 5:30 p.m.
Gameday schedule and fan information
Parking lots open at 3:30 p.m., when tailgating may begin. The first Owl Walk of the year is scheduled for approximately 5:15 p.m. from the student tailgating lot in Lot 5, and the team will walk through the student tailgates before heading toward Gate 5.
General stadium gates are listed as opening at 10:30 a.m., with some premium-access gates opening earlier. Flagler Credit Union Stadium operates under a Clear Bag policy, and the National Guard will distribute 2,000 clear bags in the Fan Zone. General public tickets start at $15, while tickets for Florida Atlantic students are free and can be claimed through the school.
Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance and download them digitally to a smartphone or mobile device. The 2026 Salute to Service T-shirt is available at the bookstore, the team shop on game day and online. Two stadium concessions locations will offer Paradise Pricing stands behind sections 215 and 229, with a combo meal voucher listed at $10 in advance and $12 on game day.
The forecast calls for 84 degrees at kickoff with partly cloudy skies. Cooling stations will be available inside and outside the stadium gates, and fans may bring one unopened bottle of water per patron into the stadium. Parking maps and additional stadium information are available through Florida Atlantic’s gameday resources.
Broadcast information
Television: ESPNU
Kickoff: 7:35 p.m. ET in the broadcast listing
Television announcers: Courtney Lyle, play-by-play; Rene Ingoglia, analyst; Tom Wicks, producer
Radio: Florida Atlantic Sports Network
Pregame show: 7 p.m.
Radio announcers: Ken LaVicka, play-by-play; Chris Newbold, analyst; Mike Mrezcko, host and engineer; Frank Forte, sidelines
Station: FOX Sports 640 South Florida
Saturday schedule
- 3:30 p.m.: Parking lots open and tailgating may begin.
- 5 p.m.: Publix Paradise Plaza opens.
- Approximately 5:15 p.m.: Owl Walk begins at the student tailgating lot in Lot 5.
- 5:30 p.m.: Owls Pregame Live concert featuring Homegrown begins.
- 7 p.m.: Florida Atlantic Sports Network radio pregame show begins.
- Second quarter: Military swearing-in ceremony.
Source: Original report