UI to Lengthen Postgame Tailgate Time

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IOWA CITY, Iowa — – Fans attending home games of the 2015 Iowa football team will have a little more time after most home games to celebrate Hawkeye victories, Gary Barta told football season ticket holders who participated in a conference call Thursday night with the UI’s director of athletics.

For games that kick off at 11 a.m., consumption of alcoholic beverages will cease three hours after the end of the game – an hour longer than last year. All tailgating activities in University-owned parking lots and ramps will end four hours after the end of an 11 a.m. game.

For games that begin at 2:30 p.m., consumption of alcoholic beverages must end two hours after the game – an hour longer than last year – and all tailgating activities in University-owned parking lots and ramps must end three hours after game.

Postgame tailgating will not be permitted at all for games that start in the evening (6 p.m. or later).

During the final hour of the postgame tailgating, fans will be asked to pack up tents, tables, chairs, grills, etc. and begin to make their exit from University parking lots and ramps.

Postgame alcohol and tailgate compliance will be enforced by UI officials. The exception to this policy is that RV owners will be allowed to spend the night, however, tailgating activities will not be permitted past the designated time.

“We know the opportunity to enjoy pregame and postgame time with friends and family is an important part of the game-day experience for many of our fans. We’re optimistic that the excellent support and participation we’ve had from the vast majority of our fans who want to enjoy their full day at Kinnick Stadium will continue,” said Barta said in an official statement released by the UI on Friday.

“The `fun factor’ surrounding Hawkeye football is an important focus of ours as we plan for 2015. However, we can’t and won’t let the bad behavior of a very small number of fans ruin the experience for the overwhelming majority,” he added.

Barta noted that the number of citations and arrests on game days has been on a steady decline during recent seasons. He also noted it remains very important that our fans respect the private property in the neighborhoods adjacent to Kinnick Stadium and the unique needs of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

“We are very encouraged that the number incidents requiring action by our game-day security or law enforcement continues to decline. We believe this is evidence that the overwhelming majority of our fans are having fun and tailgating responsibly. We also believe they will continue to do so with the extra hour that we are adding to the postgame opportunity for our 11 and 2:30 games,” said Barta.

Barta said the UI will continue to work with area law enforcement on check points during postgame travel and that a designated driver is always a great option.

“We want our fans to enjoy game day. We only have seven opportunities a year to cheer the Hawkeyes at Kinnick, so we want each of them to be fun and memorable. We also want our fans to have a safe drive home,” said Barta.

Barta also said the UI Athletics Department continues to review its game-day parking policies.

“There’s always room for tweaks and improvements. It’s possible between now and the season opener that we will make some adjustments and communicate those adjustments to the fans who would be directly impacted,” he said.

Barta talked about the change in tailgating policy and the plan to continue to review parking and all aspects of game days at historic Kinnick Stadium during a conference call held exclusively for football season ticket customers. More than 3,500 fans of the Hawkeyes who purchased season tickets for the 2014 season participated in the conversation with Barta, who provided opening remarks and a handful of updates about happenings within the UI Athletics Department before taking questions from the participants.

Iowa will play seven home games at Kinnick Stadium next fall beginning with the season opener Sept. 5 against Illinois State. The Hawkeyes’ games against Pittsburgh on Sept. 19 and Minnesota on Nov. 14 will be played in prime time and televised live by the Big Ten Network.

Fans of the Hawkeyes who were season ticket customers in 2014 have until Friday, April 24, to renew their season ticket order and retain their priority. Fans of the Hawkeyes who want to purchase season tickets for the first time should contact the UI Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-IA-HAWKS.