Initiatives For The 2009 Gator Football Season
Saturday, August 22, 2009 | Football
Start Times
The University of Florida football team's season opener against Charleston Southern from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Sept. 5 has been slated to begin at 7 p.m. ET, and will be broadcast live in high-definition on the FSN regional networks serving the SEC territory (Sun Sports in Florida). The Gators' second game of the season versus Troy on Sept. 12 will begin at 12:21 p.m. ET and air on the SEC Network. UF's Southeastern Conference opener against Eastern Division rival Tennessee on Sept. 19 in The Swamp will be televised on CBS at 3:30 p.m.
Smoking Policy
Starting this season, smoking is prohibited in all areas of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Violators are subject to ejection.
The Gator Walk
Again this season, fans are able to greet the team upon arrival at the stadium two hours prior to kickoff when the team participates in the "Gator Walk." Fans are welcome to join the UF cheerleaders, mascots and pep band to wish the team well two hours prior to home contests. The Gators will exit team buses on the corner of University Avenue and Gale Lemerand Drive and walk along the sidewalk into Gate Eight of the stadium and across Florida Field on their way to the locker room.
Fan Text Message System
The University of Florida joins with In Stadium Solutions (ISS) to announce the implementation of a text-message based communication system at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for 2009 football games. The text messaging system allows fans to communicate directly with the stadium's command post if assistance is needed in dealing with any special needs inside the stadium.
Should fans need assistance while inside of the stadium, they will be able to contact event management staff by sending in a text message from their phone. Simply text “GATORS <space> the Issue and Location of incident” to 41513. Please note that standard SMS rates apply.
Be sure to include the problem and the location of the incident, including the section number, row and seat number (if applicable) in the message. Fans will receive a message back indicating that the message has been received and help is on the way, or if there is insufficient information, it will ask for a more complete message.
Football Parking
Public parking lots are very limited around the Stadium. All lots that are not reserved are available on a first-come, first-served basis (see map). As always, parking on the grass and sidewalks is NOT permitted and any vehicles doing so are at risk of being towed.
In an effort to tighten security around the stadium, starting 2 hours prior to kickoff, no vehicular traffic will be allowed on Lemerand Drive between University Avenue and Stadium Road. The closure will remain in effect until the end of the game.
The reserved parking on campus is a privilege for certain levels of booster club members. For details, please contact the Gator Boosters Office at (800) 344-2867, ext. 5000.
For information on Disabled Parking, RV Parking, Visitor Parking and the Map for game days, please visit:
http://www.GatorZone.com/facilities/?venue=swamp&page=park&sport=footb
RTS Shuttle Information
Utilizing the RTS Gator Aider shuttles at the Hilton on SW 34th Street and Oaks Mall on Newberry Road could help save time and avoid searching for a parking space. All shuttle buses are ADA compliant. Contact RTS at (352) 334-2600 for more shuttle information or visit www.go-rts.com.
City of Gainesville Parking
The City of Gainesville's land use code prohibits parking vehicles on areas not designated for parking in residentially-zoned districts. The code does allow an exception that permits the City Manager to exempt these restrictions for certain events hosted by the University of Florida. A calendar listing those exempt days can be found on the Code Enforcement Division web site at the bottom of the page at:
http://www.cityofgainesville.org/GOVERNMENT/CityDepartmentsAM/CodeEnforcement/tabid/229/Default.aspx
Ticket Scanning Procedure
The 2009 season marks the first year in which ticket barcodes will be scanned at Gator football games, beginning with the season opener on Sept. 5 against Charleston Southern. Fans are encouraged to have their tickets in hand as they enter the gates and also to show up earlier than normal to ensure that they make it to their seats on time.
Ticket scanning technology is being employed to prevent the counterfeiting of game tickets and to allow fans the flexibility of forwarding their tickets via e-mail to their family and friends in the event they cannot make a game. This process was successfully implemented during the 2008-09 Gator basketball season and the 2009 Gator baseball season.
For any ticket-related issues, fans are encouraged to visit any of the five Ticket Relations Customer Service Areas at the following locations around Ben Hill Griffin Stadium:
Gate 1: Exterior Ticket Booth - West Side of Stadium
Gate 13: Student Ticket Office (services all student ticket concerns)
Gate 16: Southwest Ramp
Gate 17: South Endzone
Gator Booster Lobby area: North Endzone
Ticket Forwarding
A new feature for ticket holders this season is ticket forwarding. Ticket forwarding will allow all fans with a purchased ticket to forward their ticket(s) to a friend via email if they cannot attend the event. UF introduced the concept during the 2008-09 men's basketball season with great success. Fans who wish to learn more about Ticket Forwarding can visit www.GatorZone.com/tickets.
If fans have any questions relating to their ticket order, they can call a Gator Ticket Office Specialist toll-free at 1-800-344-2867 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Heat Plan Initiatives
Due to an expected high heat index for the early-season games, fans are encouraged to properly hydrate and to wear loose clothing and a hat to avoid heat exhaustion. Sunscreen of at least 30 SPF is recommended, repeating the application several times over the course of the afternoon. Sunscreen should be applied while the skin is dry and four ounces is needed for adequate protection.
People should get out of the sun if dizzy and should drink plenty of fluids, such as water and Gatorade. Another key is to avoid excess alcohol, since it will compound heat problems. Spectators with G-1 respiratory or cardiac disease should be especially careful, and everyone should proceed immediately to an aid station if help is needed.
• Cool Misting Tents in the concourses of the north, south and west sides of the stadium
• Additional fans on east side concourse
• 10,000 Gator hand fan giveaway at gates courtesy of Mid-Florida Heating & Air at the Troy game (9/12)
• 15,000 Gator hand fan giveaway at gates courtesy of the Florida Lottery at the Tennessee (9/19) and Arkansas games (10/17)
• Sunscreen giveaway at Verizon Wireless Gator FanFest outside Gate 2 of the O'Connell Center
• Cooling Hand Towel giveaway at Verizon Wireless Gator FanFest outside Gate 2 of the O'Connell Center
• Free samples of Pepsi also provided at FanFest
• Plastic cups with ice for free at concessions stands
• 12-Ounce waters on sale at concessions stands for $1
• 100 Water fountains operational in stadium
• Cooling vehicles on the west side to supplement aid stations
• Officers at gates looking out for fans in heat distress and directing to aid stations
• Stephen C. O'Connell Center via Gate 1 open for football fans during the second half of the contest versus Troy (9/12) to watch the game on the big screens and cool down
*Spectators must have a football ticket for entrance
General Guidelines for High-Temperature Days
· Wear loose fitting clothing and a hat
· Sunscreen of at least 30 SPF - repeat application
· Get out of the sun if dizzy
· Drink plenty of fluids - water and Gatorade
· Avoid excess alcohol - it will compound heat problems
· If you have G-1 respiratory or cardiac disease be especially careful
· Go immediately to an aid station if you need help
Gator Fan Fest
Gator FanFest, Presented by Verizon Wireless, is located just outside Gate 2 of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Starting approximately 3 hours prior to each home football game, fans will have an opportunity to participate in interactive games, meet and receive autographs from other Gator athletes, win free prizes and listen to the Gator Network pre-game radio show live. It's fun for the whole family and admission is Free!
Neutral Gator
The Neutral Gator Initiative minimizes the environmental impact of Gator Athletics. Last year, Neutral Gator helped the Florida Gators host the NCAA's first-ever carbon neutral home football season. This year, with the support of the UAA, Neutral Gator will take the entire UF Athletics Program carbon neutral. For more information on how you can get involved, visit our table at Gate 1 or our website: www.neutralgator.org.
Live Sports Radio
Fans can listen to the Gator Radio Network broadcasts for all home and away games that the Gators play using the Live Sports Radio. This is a specially-designed radio receiver that receives the broadcasts in the stadium without delays and can be purchased at www.livesportsradio.com/store. Last year's model will NOT work this year.
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