PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Rutgers football team will host its annual Kickoff Celebration on Sunday, August 16 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Rutgers Stadium. 

Admission is free to the Kickoff Celebration and starts at 5:30 p.m. The event will feature the Rutgers Kids’ Zone and performances by the RU Cheer/Dance teams and Rutgers Pep Band.  Head coach Greg Schiano and members of the Scarlet Knights will be available to meet fans and sign autographs from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

The Scarlet Knights closed out the 2008 season with seven consecutive victories, including a 29-23 win over NC State in the PapaJohns.com Bowl. The Scarlet Knights have appeared in four consecutive bowls and have won three straight bowl championships.

The seven-game win streak is tied for the fourth longest active streak in the nation.

Rutgers opens the 2009 season Monday, Sept. 7 vs. Cincinnati at Rutgers Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. on ESPN.

Tickets are available for the 2009 season at ScarletKnights.com or by calling the Rutgers Ticket Office at 1-866-445-GORU. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the Rutgers Ticket Office, located at the Louis Brown Athletic Center. In-person and phone orders are available from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.

In addition to single-game tickets, two mini-plan season ticket options and season tickets are available.