MOBILE, Ala. - Over 70 student-athletes and coaches from multiple University of South Alabama teams, along with Director of Athletics Dr. Joel Erdmann and members of the administrative staff, will participate in the Mobile Festival of Hope Sunday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

The Mobile Festival of Hope is a city-wide compassion and sports outreach event supported by approximately 1,500 volunteers from over 100 churches, businesses, and community organizations.  The Festival will feature more than 70,000 pounds of free groceries distributed as well as other basic needs such as health screenings, family photographs, haircuts and a résumé writing service.  Live entertainment, a cookout, a kid's zone, and an interactive  fantasy sports challenge will also be a part of the event, with more than 8,500 people expected to attend.

The Festival of Hope is free to the public and is a partnership project of Convoy of Hope and Joe Savage Ministries.

Participants from USA include coaches and staff members from the football, baseball, soccer, volleyball and men's and women's golf programs.  In addition, SouthPaw - the official mascot of the athletic department - will be on the Ladd-Peebles Stadium field also.

The Mobile Festival of Hope - an officially sanctioned event of the 2010 Senior Bowl - will officially take place from 2-6 p.m. rain or shine.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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