Gator Football Game Day Initiatives
Wednesday, September 2, 2015 | Football
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – With the start of the 2015 Florida football season just days away, the University Athletic Association wants to inform fans of several initiatives in place for the upcoming season. The season kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against New Mexico State.
FLORIDA vs. NEW MEXICO STATE INITIATIVES:
WCA #GreenGame: Learn how you can be #GreenGators & help the University of Florida be the best in its sustainability efforts. Throughout the game we will recognize all of UF's sustainability accomplishments.
Mr. Two Bits: Former Gator offensive lineman, coach and athletic director Bill Carr will serve as the honorary Mr. Two Bits prior to the game.
Silver Sixties & Ray Graves Recognition: The Silver Sixties and the family of Coach Ray Graves will be recognized during the game. The Gator football team will wear special “RG” decals on their helmets for the 2015 season.
Punt, Pass & Kick: One Lucky Student will have a chance to punt, pass and kick their way to $10,000 courtesy of American Campus Communities at halftime. Students must enter to win at ticket pickup.
Heat Initiatives: Will be in place for #UFvsNMSU including misting stations located throughout Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, free cups of ice and cooling busses outside Gates 2 and 13. Stop by the Comfort Temp Chill Zone at Alligator Alley - West concourse between Gates 1 and 4 – to cool down. There will also be 5,000 cooling towels distributed at Fan Fest prior to the game.
Florida Lottery Hand Fans: The first 20,000 fans in attendance receive hand fans courtesy of the Florida Lottery.
SEASON-LONG INITIATIVES:
Gator Walk: scheduled for 5:05 p.m. on Saturday, the Gators will be dropped off at the corner of University and Gale Lemerand Drive and make their way into the North end of the stadium. Come join the band, cheerleaders, mascots and dazzlers to welcome the Gators as they prepare to kick off the 2015 season!
#FloridaFriday and College Colors Day: Fans are encouraged to wear their Orange & Blue this Friday (and every Friday!) to show their support for the Gators.
BUBBA Burger Gator Fan Fest: Located outside of Gate 2 of the O'Connell Center opens at 4 PM.
Empty Water Bottle - Fans are permitted to bring one (1) commercially branded (i.e. Aquafina) EMPTY plastic water bottle, no larger than 20 oz. There are several water bottle filling stations inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Non-disposable water bottles, sport bottles, Nalgene-type bottles, cans, heavy plastic, glass bottles, and thermoses are NOT permitted in the Stadium. There are 12 water bottle refill stations throughout Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Bubba Burger Fan Fest – Begins at 4 PM outside Gate 2 of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Various corporate partner will provide games & giveaways for fans.
Rowdy Town (Student Tailgate) – New for 2015, the Rowdy Town Football Student Tailgate, presented by Subway and ApartmentsinGainesville.com, will provide an all-new, exclusive student tailgate before football games at The Swamp. Join us at Gate 3 of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center beginning 2.5 hours before the game and enjoy food, tailgate games, music, Gator spirit squads and more. Be sure to have your UF student ID for admission.
Virtual Venue Seat Selection – Fans had the ability to upgrade their current season tickets online via a new seat interactive seat map that allows fans to view all available seats.
Refillable Cup – New in 2015, season ticket holders can purchase a refillable 22 oz cup for $8 per game. Several locations throughout the stadium will sell the cups and will be able to refill them for fans.
Free Drinks and Popcorn in Premium Areas – Fans sitting in the Evans Champions Club or Holloway Touchdown Terrace can now add free soda and popcorn to the list of their game day amenities. These items will be available throughout each home game from a designated stand in each premium area. (NOTE: free beverages will not be in souvenir cups).
Student Tickets Sold First Come, First Served – We moved away from a lottery format in 2015. Returning season ticket holders had an opportunity to renew their tickets immediately before we opened up to the general student body to purchase new season tickets.
Experience Seat Upgrade – The UAA has recently partnered with a company called Experience. The UAA will be using Experience's Seat Upgrade Technology to enhance the fan experience for its football games this season. With the Experience Seat Upgrade App, Gators fans will be able to complete a simple purchase for a better seat than what they are currently sitting in at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The process is simple and the transaction takes place prior to gameday exclusively through the app.
Gators Text for Tix – The Gator Ticket Office and ReplyBuy have entered into a partnership that will enable Gator fans to instantly purchase tickets and merchandise with a quick text message. The program, referred to as Gators Text for Tix, will allow fans that sign up to receive exclusive access to limited, last-minute tickets and Gator merchandise.
Movie in the Swamp – Season ticket holders were given a special opportunity to enjoy a movie on the big screens in the Swamp over the summer. The general public was able to purchase tickets, but season ticket holders were admitted free and given access to sit on the field.
Complimentary Sunscreen – There will be free sunscreen for fans attending football games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium available outside each of the first aid stations.
Happy Birthday and First Gator Game Pins – Available for all fans at Gator Guest Services booths located around the stadium.
