LOS ANGELES, Cal. – When Towson University and Lehigh University kick off at Johnny Unitas® Stadium in an NCAA FCS playoff game on Saturday afternoon, there will be an enthusiastic group of Tiger fans cheering them on from the other side of the country.

Organized by Brett Glatman, '05, a large group of Towson University alumni who live in the Los Angeles area are planning to meet at The Parlor, a restaurant on Melrose Avenue, on Saturday afternoon. In the past, they have gathered at The Parlor to watch the Baltimore Ravens' games.

This week, they will have the opportunity to watch their favorite college football team on ESPN3.

A Communications major and a graduate of the College of Fine Arts and Communications, Brett started a Facebook group of former Towson University students who live on the West Coast. Although they are living almost 3,000 miles away, the alumni have experienced the excitement of the Tigers' magical 2011 football season.

After winning only three games over the last two seasons, the “Turnaround Tigers” have staged a remarkable season. Picked to finish last in the Colonial Athletic Association, the Tigers stunned the experts by compiling a 7-1 league record en route to their first CAA championship. The Tigers' 7-1 record is even more remarkable in light of the fact that they had lost 26 of their previous 28 CAA games entering the season.

With an overall 9-2 record, the Tigers earned a first-round bye in the NCAA FCS playoffs and will host Lehigh in their first-ever FCS playoff game.

The Tigers, who are the most improved team in NCAA FCS football, are ranked eighth in the nation.

The winner of the Towson-Lehigh game will advance to the quarter-finals of the NCAA FCS playoffs next week to play the winner of the North Dakota State-James Madison contest.

Brett and his fellow alumni are planning to meet at The Parlor as long as the Tigers' post-season run extends.

Another group of Towson football fans is gathering in Las Vegas to watch the Tigers play. Organized by John Neis, the Las Vegas Tiger fans will be meeting at a restaurant called Money Plays. It is located at the corner of Flamingo and Decatur Boulevard, just west of the Palms Casino and Hotel.