Iowa-Ohio State: Game Day Tips for Fans

Sept. 28, 2006

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IOWA CITY — Another sellout crowd of 70,585 – the 20th in a row at historic Kinnick Stadium – and probably thousands of other fans of college football will join ESPN GameDay and ABC and descend upon the University of Iowa campus for Saturday night’s game between the nationally ranked Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.

“There is little doubt that the environment on campus and inside Kinnick Stadium on Saturday will be very special and rightfully so. It’s an important game that will be played under very extraordinary and exciting circumstances,” said UI Coach Kirk Ferentz.

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“I have confidence our friends and fans will embrace the opportunity to represent our community, our institution and our football program in ways that are both passionate and nothing but positive.

“I’m also hoping they pace themselves through the day because we’re going to need them to be at their very best at kickoff and throughout the game,” he added.

The following summarizes a handful of items that fans coming to Iowa City on Friday and Saturday need to be aware of. Additional information is also available at hawkeyesports.com, the official world wide web site of the Iowa Hawkeyes, and uifootballparking.com. Fans can also call the Iowa Hawkeyes at 1-800 IA-HAWKS.

Post-Game Tailgating Prohibited
No post-game tailgating or alcohol consumption will be permitted on University of Iowa property following the game, including in UI parking lots. Fans are encouraged to visit hawkaeyesports.com and click on the “Game Day Information” link behind the “UI Athletics” tab at the top of the page.

Parking Access Begins Friday Night
Football parking is permitted in UI parking lots after 6 p.m. Friday. Additional UI parking lots, the grass lot at Finkbine Golf Course, the UI Softball Complex and the lot east of Cretzmeyer track will open at 7 a.m. Saturday. Fans are encouraged to visit uifootballparking.com for more details.

Limited Parking Adjacent to Kinnick
Fans are reminded that the vast majority of parking adjacent to Kinnick Stadium is reserved for contributors to the National I-Club or the Iowa Scholarship Fund. Fans are encouraged to visit uifootballparking.com for more details.

Hawkeye Express Service Begins at 3 p.m.
To avoid parking problems close to Kinnick, fans are encouraged to ride the Hawkeye Express train to the stadium. The train will begin operation at 3 p.m. Saturday and post-game service begins at the start of the fourth quarter. Parking is free and round-trip service costs $10 per person with children under 12 riding free. Post-game service begins at the start of the fourth quarter and continues for 90 minutes after the game. Patrons can park and board south of U.S. Highway 6 south of the Coral Ridge Mall.

UI Students Can Enter Stadium at Any Gate
UI officials want to remind student ticket holders that they may enter the stadium through any gate at Kinnick after displaying their ticket and student ID card.

Only Small Purses and Handbags Allowed Inside Kinnick
To help reduce lines and speed up entry into the stadium, officials also want to remind fans that only small purses and handbags (8-by-11 inches maximum), fanny packs, binocular cases, blankets and seat cushions will be allowed into Kinnick Stadium. All items will be searched at designated entrance lanes. All persons attending the games are subject to search. The university reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone. Fans are encouraged to visit hawkeyesports.com and click on the “Game Day Information” link behind the “UI Athletics” tab at the top of the page.

Other rules in effect this Saturday and at all home games of the nationally ranked UI football team:

— Patrons will not be permitted to exit and re-enter Kinnick Stadium. Fans can remain in the concourse area around the stadium, and at halftime in the Krause Family Plaza, which is available through Gate A.

— Officials request that all beverages consumed in the parking lots and other university areas be in plastic or paper containers.

— Soft drinks will be sold inside the stadium, and water fountains are available throughout the stadium. Otherwise, only clear plastic, sealed water bottles will be allowed in the stadium. No other beverage cans or bottles purchased outside the stadium will be allowed.

— Panel trucks, rental trucks and double-decker trailers are not permitted in any parking lots. Vehicles in violation will be towed.

— The following items are not allowed inside the stadium: umbrellas, bags of any size, alcoholic beverages, botas, all coolers, canned and bottled beverages purchased outside of the stadium (except sealed clear plastic water bottles), thermoses, kegs, backpacks, banners and signs, large lens cameras, tripods, personal seat backs, strollers, noisemakers, horns, bugles and all other disruptive devices. Admission will be denied anyone carrying such items.

“I have confidence our friends and fans will embrace the opportunity to represent our community, our institution and our football program in ways that are both passionate and nothing but positive.

“I’m also hoping they pace themselves through the day because we’re going to need them to be at their very best at kickoff and throughout the game.”

Kirk Ferentz

— Smoking is prohibited in all areas inside Kinnick Stadium, including concourses, rest rooms and the press box. Smoking is allowed only in the four marked open-air corners of the stadium.

— No objects may be thrown from or in the stands.

— No body passing is permitted in the stands.

— No grills, open fires or amplified sound are permitted in UI parking ramps.

— Fans are urged to stay off the playing field at all times, including the end zones.

— Police officers will respond to complaints about unsafe and/or disruptive behavior.

— As in past years, individuals who violate stadium policies, present a safety threat or are disruptive may be removed from the stadium and may be subject to arrest. Disruptive UI students may also be disciplined under the provisions of the Code of Student Life. In particular, students found guilty of throwing objects may face suspension or expulsion from the university.

Following are the rules regarding the possession and use of alcohol in university areas used for parking, parties and tailgate activities:

— No beer trucks, kegs, hard liquor or open bars are permitted in UI parking lots and ramps. Hard liquor is prohibited by state law.

— On game days, only beer and wine are allowed on UI property, including parking lots and ramps. No alcohol of any kind is allowed in Parking Lot 14, at the corner of Melrose and South Grand Avenues, which is designated an alcohol-free area.

— No one under the age of 21, nor anyone of legal age who is obviously intoxicated, is allowed to consume alcoholic beverages.

— No alcoholic beverages may be sold. Likewise, no donations may be solicited to pay for alcoholic beverages.

— Inebriated people will not be admitted to Kinnick Stadium for the game. Alcohol and its consumption are not allowed in the public areas of the stadium. Those in violation face ejection and possible criminal prosecution and/or student disciplinary actions.