Free food and college students go together like Georgia Southern University and football; luckily, students will get more than just free food at the University Programming Board’s tailgating block party.

UPB football season will get a kick-start with games, giveaways, a free outdoor movie and more at Allen E. Paulson Stadium this Friday at 6:30 p.m.

“There’ll be food, games, a live DJ and we’ll have a guest speaker Tom Kleinlein, director of athletics there,” Chatise Smith, Spirit and Traditions Committee chair at UPB, said.

Having a guest speaker appear for the first time is just one of the ways UPB is moving this year’s event towards a tailgate and pep rally while still keeping the fun and interactive aspects of a block party and getting students motivated and filled with Georgia Southern spirit for the upcoming football season, Smith said.

UPB has traditionally held the block party in front of Centennial Place and the Main Dining Commons but decided to relocate it this year to the stadium in an effort to include other organizations.

By relocating, UPB also hopes to attract older students that may live off campus, instead of catering to just the freshmen living on campus, Smith said.

“I like that the university likes to put on activities like this for students, as a freshman it makes me feel included,” Brianne Johnson, freshman psychology major, said.

Savannah news station WTOC and Georgia Southern radio station 91.9 The Buzz will both be present, giving students the chance to share their eagle pride on local TV and radio.

UPB will still include familiar and successful block party events from previous years such as a free movie showing. This year there will be a free showing of the summer hit “Now You See Me,” Steven Dziama, late night programming chair at UPB, said.

Smith said, “We’re just trying to make it bigger and better than we’ve done before this year.”