HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana football and cross country teams will open their respective 2010 schedules to highlight this week in Southeastern Athletics.

The Lion football team is coming off a 6-5 finish in 2009 and returns 16 starters from last season's team. Southeastern will head to New Orleans to face Football Bowl Subdivision member Tulane on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Louisiana Superdome. Thursday's game will be broadcast live in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9) and on the Internet at www.LionSports.net. The game will also air on a tape-delayed basis on WHNO (Charter Channel 14 in the Hammond area) on Friday at 3:30 p.m.

The Southeastern Alumni Association will be hosting a tailgate prior to the Southeastern vs. Tulane game. The free tailgate party will be held on the Northwest parking concourse of the Superdome from 5-6:30 p.m. Southeastern will be looking to earn its first win over an FBS opponent since the program's return in 2003. In two previous meetings, Tulane earned narrow victories in 2005 (28-21) and 2007 (35-27).

The Southeastern cross country teams will open their season on Friday. The Lions and Lady Lions will compete in the McNeese State Distance Relay in Lake Charles at 6 p.m.

After an impressive showing at this past week's season-opening Jackson State Invitational, the Southeastern volleyball team (3-1) will again travel for a non-conference tournament this week. On Thursday, the Lady Lions will open play at the South Alabama Invitational with a 7 p.m. match against the host Lady Jaguars. On Friday, Southeastern will take on Alabama State at 10 a.m. and Alabama A&M at 4:30 p.m. The Lady Lions close out tournament play on Saturday with a 1:30 p.m. match versus UNC-Asheville.

The undefeated women's soccer team (3-0) returns home this week after a posting a 2-0 record on its first road trip of the season. The Lady Lions will be back in action on Sunday, hosting Southern at 4 p.m. at the Southeastern Soccer Complex.

Thursday, Sept. 2
Football, at Tulane, New Orleans, 7 p.m. (KSLU-FM) (WHNO-TV)
Volleyball, at South Alabama (USA Invitational), Mobile, Ala., 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 3
Men's and Women's Cross Country, at McNeese State Distance Relay, Lake Charles, 6 p.m.
Volleyball, vs. Alabama State (USA Invitational), Mobile, Ala., 10 a.m.
Volleyball, vs. Alabama A&M (USA Invitational), Mobile, Ala., 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 4
Volleyball, vs. UNC-Asheville (USA Invitational), Mobile, Ala., 1:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 5
Women's Soccer, vs. Southern, Southeastern Soccer Complex, 4 p.m.

Southeastern home events in bold