TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — As the Florida State University Seminoles gear up for the first of seven home football games this season, FSU police are reminding football fans that their own game-day strategies should include getting an early start to Doak Campbell Stadium and being on their best behavior.
“We want everyone to have a great time at Doak Campbell Stadium, and great times begin and end with responsible behavior,” said FSU Police Chief David Perry. “As Seminoles, we should always all maintain a good attitude toward each other and visitors alike on game day. And if fans decide to drink, they should always remember to drink responsibly.”
The first home game will be Saturday, Sept. 14, when the Seminoles take on the Nevada Wolf Pack. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m.
This year, the bag-size limit of 12-by-6-by-12 inches will be strictly enforced. “Bag-size boxes” will be provided to measure against upon approach to the gates and in selected areas of parking lots closer to the stadium.
Familiarity with the following policies and services will enhance the game-day experience for all football fans:
PREGAME PREP
PARKING LOT AND BUILDING CLOSURES: University police will begin closing off roads and posting “no parking” signs in various locations around the stadium the afternoon prior to game day. Fans who park in prohibited areas, such as landscaped areas and sidewalks, are subject to being ticketed or having their vehicle towed. In addition, the stadium will close at 2 p.m. on the day before each home game. Stadium Drive will close at 5 a.m. on game day, and Coyle E. Moore Athletic Center will be closed to fans two hours before each home game.
GETTING THERE
TRAFFIC INSTRUCTIONS: All stadium-parking traffic must use Pensacola Street. Westbound traffic on West Jefferson Street before, during and after home games will not have access to stadium parking. Traffic direction will not be changed prior to games, but postgame traffic will be routed one way eastbound on Pensacola Street. Tallahassee Police Department officers will staff the intersections surrounding the stadium before and after home games.
Because of remaining construction on Gaines Street, postgame traffic patterns have been modified to help fans parking in Lot 14 (intramural fields) get back on the road safely and efficiently. This year, Lake Bradford Road and Orange Avenue will be used to direct drivers south away from the stadium, then toward Monroe Street and Capital Circle to Interstate 10. Those parking in Lot 14 will have the opportunity to enjoy extended postgame tailgating to ease any potential traffic jams.
SPIRIT EXPRESS SHUTTLE: St. Augustine Street will be used exclusively for the Spirit Express Shuttle operated by City of Tallahassee/StarMetro. Fans are encouraged to park at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center at Florida State University or nearby state parking garages and take the shuttle to the stadium. The shuttle service begins two hours prior to kickoff.
GAME DAY DISABLED PARKING: Parking for those with disabilities can be requested in advance by submitting an application to the FSU Disabled Parking Program. Applications are available online at http://compliance.hr.fsu.edu/DisabledParking. Applications will be processed as late as 2 p.m. the Friday before each game. For game patrons who have not applied to the Disabled Parking Program, parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Copeland Street Parking Garage at the corner of Copeland and Pensacola streets. A Dial-A-Ride bus will be available to provide transportation for individuals with mobility impairments. The bus will load on Copeland Street and run to/from the stadium at Gate H. Dial-A-Ride bus service will begin transporting two hours prior to the start of each game. After each game, Dial-A-Ride service to the garage will continue for about one hour. There is an $8 fee to park in the garage and a $5 fee to ride the bus (exact change is required for the bus). For more information, call the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance at (850) 645-6519.
ASSISTED LISTENING DEVICES: Florida State University offers Assisted Listening Devices (ALD) for people with hearing impairments. The ALD amplifies the message broadcast over the main scoreboard to a receiver worn by the person. To obtain an ALD, individuals will need a valid driver’s license or State ID (used as collateral). For additional information or to check out the device, stop by the FSU Police Sub-Station located outside Gate C.
GOLF CARTS: Golf carts without official authorization and required placards will not be permitted in or around the stadium.
AT THE GATE
ELECTRONIC SIGN BOARDS: Electronic message boards over gates C, F, J and K provide fans with information or emergency messages related to weather or possible game delays.
CONTROLLED ENTRY AT ALL GATES: To make entry into the stadium more orderly and efficient, fans will be funneled into one of two lines: Those “with bags and purses” and those “without bags and purses.” Allowable bag sizes of 12-by-6-by-12 will be strictly enforced. For fan convenience, “bag-size boxes” will be provided to measure against upon approach to the gates and in selected areas of parking lots closer to the stadium.
PUBLIC ENTRY POLICIES: For security purposes, all football tickets have barcodes that must be individually scanned before each fan is permitted to enter the stadium, and no one will be allowed to re-enter the stadium once he or she exits.
COLOR-CODED ID WRISTBANDS: Upon request, the FSU Police Department will provide color-coded ID wristbands marked with seat and contact numbers for children, the elderly and people with disabilities in case they become separated from family members before, during or after the game. Fans interested in this service can stop by the police substation located at Gate C.
FSU STUDENT ENTRY/SEATING POLICIES: This year, student ticketing is paperless — the tickets will be loaded directly onto students’ ID cards. FSU students must enter through gates L or M. As always, the student entry/seating policy is “as easy as 1-2-3”:
•ONE seat per person; first come, first served; no saving seats.
•The stadium opens TWO hours prior to kickoff.
•All lines outside the gates open THREE hours prior to kickoff –– no lines may form before that time; no tailgating in line; no holding places in line for friends.
INSIDE THE STADIUM
APPROVED ITEMS AND PROHIBITED ITEMS: Fans are allowed to bring the following approved items:
•Medically necessary items, such as oxygen and required wheelchairs.
•Empty water bottles to fill at water stations once inside the stadium.
•Small amounts of food for accompanying infants and toddlers.
•Purchases from the Seminole Sports Shop, such as bottled beverages with approved decals.
•Keys, wallets and cell phones.
•Bags that do not exceed the size limit of 12-by-6-by-12.
•Stadium seats, as long as they do not have arms.
The following items are prohibited:
•Outside beverages or food.
•Coolers; umbrellas; strollers and diaper bags.
•Bags larger than 12-by-6-by-12, including backpacks and camera bags.
‘SEE SOMETHING-SAY SOMETHING’ TEXT/PHONE LINE: For fans who witness a security concern, the “See Something – Say Something” text and phone line will be available. Text the word “fsufan” along with a message and your location or seat number to 35842. Standard text-message rates apply. Fans also may call (850) 645-JERK (645-5375) if there are any problems with unruly or abusive behavior in their section. Law enforcement officers will respond promptly and take appropriate action.
MISCELLANEOUS
MARCHING CHIEFS PREGAME SHOW: The Marching Chiefs’ pregame “skull session” is a public rehearsal held at Dick Howser Stadium two hours prior to kickoff. During the rehearsal, each section of the band plays a song for the crowd, followed by the full band playing the “FSU Fight Song” and selections from that day’s half-time show.
GARNET AND GOLD GOES GREEN: Going into its ninth season, the “Garnet and Gold Goes Green” recycling program and its volunteers will have recycling stations set up in the lots surrounding the stadium, at stadium entrances and in concessions areas. Additional City of Tallahassee trash cans will be set up along major walking routes to the stadium to help keep game day litter free.
GOLDEN GREETERS: Members of the Extra Point Club — an auxiliary of Seminole Athletics — will serve as Golden Greeters, welcoming fans as they enter the stadium. As “customer service liaisons” between the Athletic Department and the public, the Golden Greeters will be available to answer fans’ questions until roughly 30 minutes after kickoff.
MISTING STATIONS: Fans will be able to cool off at misting stations inside the stadium near gates B, F, H and L during the first three home games (Nevada, Sept. 14; Bethune-Cookman, Sept. 21; and Maryland, Oct. 5). If temperatures warrant, the stations will be available during the N.C. State game Oct. 26.
For additional information, visit http://www.seminoles.com.
