Arkansas Tech University Family Day 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19, on the ATU campus in Russellville.
ATU Family Day is a tradition that originated in 1924. Back then, it was called Dad’s Day and the institution was known as the Second District Agricultural School.
Almost every year since then, the school that evolved to become Arkansas Tech University has designated a day to show its appreciation to the family members who love, support and encourage ATU students.
ATU Family Day 2026 festivities will begin at 9 a.m. with a family member/student doubles pickleball tournament at ATU’s Clary Pickleball Courts and the Campus Recreation Center at Ferguson Student Union. Registration and more information is available at https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/N9SHjDR6sr.
A 5-kilometer run/walk will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Mullens Plaza at Ferguson Student Union. Registration and more information is available at https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/usLNH8xQrR.
Beginning at 3 p.m., guardians and family members of current ATU students will have an opportunity to pick up complimentary ATU Family Day football game tickets. They will be available at the ATU Parent and Family Relations tent on Centennial Plaza, which is the tailgating area outside Simmons Bank Field at Thone Stadium. There will be 250 complimentary tickets and they will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additional game tickets are available for purchase at www.arkansastechsports.com/tickets.
Also starting at 3 p.m., ATU Parent and Family Relations will offer a complimentary tailgating meal for current ATU students, their guardians and their family members. The meal will include pulled pork sandwiches and sides and it will be served in the tailgating area on the Centennial Plaza lawn.
Prospective ATU students and their families are invited to visit the future students tent on Centennial Plaza from 3-6 p.m. There will be campus tours and opportunities to learn more about the academic and campus life opportunities available at ATU. More details and registration for the future students tailgate are available at https://bit.ly/atufuturestudentsfamilyday2026.
The ATU Family Day football game between the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys and the Ouachita Baptist University Tigers is scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff at Simmons Bank Field at Thone Stadium.
The ATU marching band, known far and wide as “Arkansas’ Band of Distinction,” the ATU dance team and the ATU coed cheer team will perform at the tailgate party and the game.
Learn more about ATU Family Day at www.atu.edu/parents/familyday.php.
