A Season of Celebration
Arkansas State University has announced that the 2026 football season will serve as a tribute to three landmark moments in the program’s history. The university will observe the 40th anniversary of the 1986 team’s Southland Conference championship, the 35th anniversary of the Old Warriors Cookout, and the 30th anniversary of the Ring of Honor, integrating each milestone into home‑game festivities.
The centerpiece of the commemoration will be a reunion of the 1986 squad when the Red Wolves host Kennesaw State on September 26, 2026. Coach Larry Lacewell’s 12‑2‑1 team, which captured the Southland title and advanced to the national championship game, will be honored on the field. That team outscored playoff opponents 127‑31, earned 12 All‑American honors, and saw three players drafted into the NFL.
A day later, the Old Warriors will stage their 35th consecutive pre‑game cookout, a tradition that began in 1991 with Tommy Walker’s vision. The event, now drawing more than 100 attendees, is organized by the Old Warriors Foundation, a nonprofit founded by Walker that also presents the Larry Lacewell MVP and Gary Withrow Awards.
The Ring of Honor will receive its own spotlight during the November 7 matchup against ULM, marking three decades since its creation in 1996. The Ring currently houses 15 inductees, including notable players and coaches from across the university’s storied past.
Beyond the on‑field tributes, Arkansas State is inviting fans to secure 2026 season tickets, offering a chance to be part of the anniversary celebrations. The events will also highlight alumni achievements, from the 12 First‑Team All‑Southland selections to the 11 members of the program’s All‑Centennial Team recognized in 2014.