Pat Green, Hailey Whitters Headline Free Concert in Nacogdoches

The campus at Stephen F. Austin State University has been buzzing over the past few weeks, for several reasons:

• On September 1, SFA officially became the 14th member of The University of Texas System.
• SFA culminated its 100th birthday with a huge Centennial Celebration which included the unveiling of a huge SFA ring.
• SFA alum and New York Jets rookie Xavier Gipson electrified the sports world with one of the best NFL moments in recent history.

SAA Reveals Acts for Free Homecoming Concert

SFA's Student Activities Association (SAA) is keeping the Lumberjack momentum going by announcing that country music artists Pat Green and Hailey Whitters are slated to co-headline Stephen F. Austin State University’s annual Homecoming festivities. That will take place at 8 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Intramural Fields, located on the corner of Starr Avenue and Wilson Drive.

“Homecoming brings Lumberjacks old and new to campus to celebrate the one thing we all have in common — our love for SFA,” said Lacey Folsom, Student Engagement director. “The events and competitions hosted throughout the week provide students with engaging opportunities to connect with the campus community. SFA Alumni Association events let alumni reconnect with the campus and people who became like family. The bonfire and concert are a special combination of all audiences coming together to celebrate everything SFA.”

Texas Red Dirt Music would not have gotten off the ground if it weren't for artists like Pat Green. His hits include Dancehall Dreamer, Texas on My Mind, Carry On, and Wave on Wave.

Green has performed many times in Nacogdoches including several times at Jitterbugs as well as opening for Willie Nelson at the Nacogdoches Expo Center.

Hailey Whitters is a singer-songwriter who will visit Nacogdoches in the midst of an exciting year in which she has performed on mainstream talk shows such as “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” “The Kelly Clarkson Show” and “The Today Show.” In May, the Iowa native took home the Academy of Country Music Award for New Female Artist of the Year.

Her 2022 studio album, “Raised,” was named Rolling Stone magazine’s 2022 No. 1 country album of the year. Her single from the album, “Everything She Ain’t,” was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America and debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart earlier this year.

“We are very excited to have Green and Whitters co-headline this year’s Homecoming concert,” said Michael Onuchovsky, Student Engagement Coordinator. “They are both remarkable artists who will undoubtedly provide a performance that will be remembered by students, faculty, staff, alumni, and Nacogdoches community members. By pairing an experienced artist like Green with one who is bursting onto the country music scene like Whitters, we feel like this will be a concert for everyone to enjoy.”

AXEperience, a university-sponsored student organization responsible for preserving and promoting the spirit and traditions of SFA, is preparing to host the trademark Homecoming bonfire; however, they are also monitoring weather and ongoing burn bans to make a determination closer to the date. In the event the bonfire is canceled, the concert will still go on as planned.

Prior to the concert, AXEperience will unveil a unique addition to the festivities in the form of a drone light show that will light the sky with Lumberjack-themed images.

Along with the concert, AXEperience coordinated events that will take place throughout Homecoming week from spirit and tradition-focused student organizations, offices and departments. To view the most up-to-date schedule, visit sfasu.edu/homecoming.