Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney Athletic Department is kicking off the 2019-20 academic year with the 2nd annual "Here Come the Lopers" event this Saturday, August 24. 
 
All Loper student-athletes, along with head coaches and athletic department staff, will be located on a four/five block stretch on 2nd Avenue between I-80 and 57th street. Beginning at 11 a.m., team members and coaches will walk on each side of the street stopping in at local businesses to drop of Loper athletic fall poster schedules, Loper Fan Fest posters, and pocket calendars to show support for the Kearney community. 
 
"Here Come the Lopers" is supported by the Kearney Chamber of Commerce and NU Foundation who encourage all local businesses to fly the Loper flag, wear UNK colors, and change their store signs and marquees to welcome UNK students back to town. Businesses with Twitter accounts can use "#RunWithTheHerd" when taking pictures with the teams that stop by. 

UNK student-athletes and coaches will be wearing a special "Here Come the Lopers" t-shirt to identify their presence. Teams will also pick-up trash along their designated route with the event wrapping up by 12:30 p.m.

Blocks             Team                                     Start Location
4-8                  Swimming                             Cinema 8 Movie Theater       
8-12                Golf/Cheer                             Runza                                     
12-15               Tennis/Dance                        Amigos                                               
15-19               Softball                                Baristas                                  
21-25               Football                                Kearney Public Library           
25-29               Soccer                                  Walgreens                              
29-34               Men's Cross                          Trius Credit Union                 
34-39               Women's Cross                      Kearney Clinic                        
39-44               Women's Track                      Family Fresh                           
44-48               Men's Track                           Ashley's                                  
48-52               Football                                 Herberger's/Mall         
52-57               Football                                 Walmart (Southwest corner)
Downtown        Wrestling                               Mona (West)                           
Ave. A              Women's Basketball                Mona (East)                           
1st Ave.            Men's Basketball                    Cunningham's                    
* Volleyball unavailable due to road Wyoming scrimmage Sat. night