By Reubin Turner
Assistant City Editor

American Idol winner and multi-platinum singer Phillip Phillips will perform at the inaugural event of McLane Stadium which the Baylor Bears will now call home.

Phillips will perform at the university’s annual traditions rally at approximately 8:15 p.m. on Aug. 28 at the new stadium. The doors to the free event will open at 5:30 p.m. with a pep rally at 7:30 p.m.
Fireworks over the Brazos River will conclude the event.

According to a press release by the University, the event is meant to kickoff the upcoming football season. The first game will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sunday against Southern Methodist University.

Matt Burchett, director of student activities, said the decision to bring Phillips was a joint decision between Student Activities and organizations such as Student Government. However, students not involved with campus organization were also informally polled for feedback.

Burchett said this season in music entertainment will prove to be an exciting one because when the university makes calls to acts or their managers, people are excited to come to Baylor.

“We had students walking around the SUB and other eating areas just asking student to offer their opinion about who they would like to see,” Burchett said.

Dominic Edwards, student body president, said he agreed with Burchett that this story was a joint effort by members of the student body and Student Activities and that this type of open communication guarantees results students will want.

“With Phillip Phillips, we knew he would be a great choice because you want someone who is going to excite the student body.”

Edwards also said he believes Baylor’s rising profile allowed them to secure an artist like Phillips for the event.

“I think Baylor’s profile is rising to the extent that we now have more opportunities to bring acts to campus, not just McLane, that will be exciting for our students,” said Edwards.