BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Samford University is excited to launch the Dean's Best in Show initiative for the 2023-2024 academic year, which fosters engagement and camaraderie among Samford's various colleges through athletic
events.
 
This year long attendance contest invites students, staff, faculty and alumni to participate in a friendly competition, with the chance to win a $2,500 scholarship and the coveted "Best-In Show Bulldog" trophy engraved with their department's name.


The concept behind "Dean's Best in Show" is simple but impactful: it encourages active participation in university athletic events by facilitating check-ins through the Samford Sports app. This program aims to create a sense of unity and pride within the Samford community while strengthening the bonds between
different colleges.

To make the contest even more engaging, each department will have the opportunity to host a "Department Night" during one of the games. The featured school will take center stage with various in-game assets available to promote participation. This creates a dynamic and interactive atmosphere, ensuring everyone feels a part of the action.

Whether you're a student looking to make your mark, a dedicated staff or faculty member, or a proud Samford alum, "Dean's Best in Show" welcomes your participation. Every check-in via the Samford Sports app earns points for your department, bringing you one step closer to victory.

Athletics will determine the "Dean's Best in Show" winner based on the percentage of attendance at the designated games, calculated based on the number of on-campus students currently enrolled in each school. This calculation ensures fairness and accuracy in determining the victor, making the competition
even more exciting.

We hosted our first event at last Saturday's football win over ETSU. Below is a list of all designated games.
 
Sat. Sept. 30, 12:00 p.m. - Football vs. ETSU
Thurs. Oct. 15, 1:00 p.m. - Soccer vs ETSU
Fri. Oct. 27, 7:00 p.m. - Volleyball vs. Wofford
Tues. Nov. 14 time TBA – Men's Basketball vs. Mississippi College
Sat. Nov. 18, 12:00 p.m. Football vs UT Martin
Sun. Dec. 3, Times TBA - Women's Basketball vs. Jacksonville St & Men's Basketball vs LaGrange
Thurs. Jan. 11, Time TBA - Men's Basketball vs. UNCG
Thurs. Jan. 18, Time TBA – Women's Basketball vs Western Carolina
Wed. Feb. 14, Time TBA - Men's Basketball vs. Western Carolina
Sat. Feb. 24, Time TBA – Men's Basketball vs ETSU
Sat. Mar. 4, Time TBA – Men's Basketball vs The Citadel

Search the Samford Sports App on the App Store or Google Play and register for rewards within the app to participate. For more information contact the Dean of your school, or Katie Archer, Director of Marketing and Fan Engagement via email at karcher@samford.edu