A fan's guide to the BG-N. Illinois game

10/24/2003

Planning to go to tomorrow's 4 p.m. game between Bowling Green and Northern Illinois at Perry Stadium? Here are some things you should know before traveling to Perry Stadium.

PARKING: The lots around the stadium will open at 6:30 a.m. The cost to park is $5 for cars, $10 for RVs and $15 for buses.

Because of the size of the crowd, the BG athletic department has suggested fans planning to attend the 4 p.m. game should arrive early.

TICKETS: The game has been sold out since Tuesday; only 9,000 student seats are available. No more tickets will be sold even if fewer than 9,000 students attend the game.

To enter, students must present a valid BG student ID at the gates, which open at 2:30 p.m. Should If more than 9,000 students attend the game, the BG athletic department has selected standing-room areas.

As with the parking, the BG athletic department has suggested fans planning to attend the game should arrive early.

COLLEGE GAMEDAY: TodayFriday the College GameDay crew will tape segments to be broadcast on SportsCenter and other ESPN shows. Today's taping will take place between 4:30 and 6 p.m.

TomorrowSaturday GameDay will broadcast live from 10:30 a.m. until noon. In both instances students and fans are encouraged to attend the tapings.

The GameDay set is located outside the gates to Perry Stadium.

SECURITY: According to Jim Elsasser, BG's assistant athletic director for internal operations, security has been doubled for the game. He also said that security has been increased to watch over the GameDay set and to check bags and packages at the gates.

Elsasser declined comment on what measures, if any, would be used to keep fans off the field or restrain them from tearing down the goalposts. He also noted that the athletic department has tried to send the message to stay off the field, using such methods as a letter from coach Gregg Brandon posted on BG's athletic web site.

“We've been proactive trying to communicate to our students and fans, through student government, the campus newspaper and the Internet,” Elsasser said. “We hope that the message carries through.”

The message, according to assistant athletic director for communications J.D. Campbell, is to think before you act.

“We know our football fans are aware of the accidents and incidents that have occurred around the country,” Campbell said. “We've tried to encourage our fans to act responsibly, understand the dangers involved and make good choices.”

And if fans still insist on rushing the field or tearing down the goalposts? “We've been working with campus security to deal with that situation,” Elsasser said.

OTHER EVENTS: Tomorrow The men's basketball team will hold a free scrimmage starting at 1 p.m. tomorrow at Anderson Arena.

The hockey team has moved the starting time of its game with Union College back one hour to 8:05 p.m. A fan with a ticket to the football game can use that ticket to get a $4 discount on a general admission seat for the hockey game.

SCHEDULE: A schedule of events at BG today and tomorrow:

Today

4:30 p.m.: College GameDay on ESPN, outside Perry Stadium

7:05 p.m.: Hockey vs. Union, BGSU Ice Arena

Tomorrow

10:30 a.m.: College GameDay on ESPN, outside Perry Stadium

1 p.m.: Men's basketball scrimmage, Anderson Arena

2 p.m.: Budweiser Clydesdales, outside Perry Stadium

4 p.m.: Football vs. Northern Illinois, Perry Stadium

8:05 p.m.: Hockey vs. Union College, BGSU Ice Arena

- JOHN WAGNER