AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Augusta State Athletics announced Friday the opportunity for Jaguar fans to follow the ASU men’s basketball team to the Elite Eight in Springfield, Mass., next week.

ASU Athletics is sponsoring a Blue Crew Spirit Bus that will depart Christenberry Fieldhouse on Monday, March 24 at 9:00 p.m. bound for the Elite Eight. The ASU True Blue Pep Band, along with the Jaguar cheerleaders, will travel on the 55-passenger bus.

ASU’s Development and Alumni Relations office is also sponsoring an Alumni & Friends Bus.

ASU Athletics will also provide seats for up to 25 additional students. Those students who wish to make the trip must be responsible for their own lodging and meals and must be able to gain appropriate permission from their instructors in regard to missed class time.

Students can reserve a seat on the bus by visiting the ASU Athletics office in Christenberry Fieldhouse on Wrightsboro Road or calling the office at 706-737-1626. The deadline to reserve a spot on the bus is Monday, March 24, at noon.

Lodging information in the Springfield, Mass., area will be provided once the additional seats have been reserved. Students must present a valid ASU ID card prior to the trip.

In the event the Jaguars are eliminated from the Elite Eight on Wednesday or Saturday, both ASU busses will return to Augusta immediately following the game. If ASU advances to Thursday’s national semifinal game at 6:00 p.m., but doesn’t win, the busses will depart Friday morning for Augusta since the hotel reservations will have already been made for Thursday night.

These arrangements mean that anyone who wishes to go on the bus must be prepared to be absent from Augusta from 9 p.m. on Monday, March 24, until Sunday, March 30.