Ready for some football? MSU offers tailgating tips

EAST LANSING, Mich. --- As the Michigan State University football team prepares for the Sept. 5 season opener against Montana State, tailgaters are urged to be

EAST LANSING, Mich. --- As the Michigan State University football team prepares for the Sept. 5 season opener against Montana State, tailgaters are urged to be equally prepared. One way they can do that is to remember the numbers 7, 9 and 1.

 

Throughout the season, if kickoff is set for noon or 1 p.m., tailgate lots will open at 7 a.m. So far this year, three of MSU’s games -- Sept. 5 against Montana State, Sept. 12 against Central Michigan, and Oct. 17 versus Northwestern -- are noon starts.

 

If kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. campus tailgate lots will open at 9 a.m.

 

And if there is an evening game scheduled -- such as the 7 p.m. kickoff against Iowa on Oct. 24 -- lots will open at 1 p.m.

 

Start times for three other home games -- Oct. 3 versus Michigan, Nov. 7 against Western Michigan, and Nov. 21 against Penn State --have yet to be determined.

 

Lots will remain open three hours after each game.

 

Spartan fans are reminded of the “open container” ordinance, adopted in 2005 by the MSU Board of Trustees. The ordinance bans open containers of alcohol on campus and in all public areas of campus buildings.
However, on home football game days, enforcement of the ordinance will be suspended on the main campus for those of legal drinking age, during the hours parking lots are open for tailgating. Munn Field remains alcohol-free, as do pedestrian areas immediately adjacent to Spartan Stadium.
Meanwhile, MSU has established a sportsmanship initiative for fans who attend Spartan athletic events.

 

The initiative, known as SHIELD -- Sportsmanship-Honor-Integrity-Enthusiasm-Leadership-Dignity - will be utilized to inform and inspire fans to make a positive impact on the game day atmosphere at Spartan Stadium, Munn Arena, the Breslin Student Events Center and all the other competitive venues on campus. The initiative will be publicized through traditional and new media channels including public address announcements, videobard messages, posters, flyers, e-mails, Web sites and social networking sites.

 

“I see this as a very positive step to ensure that our Spartan tradition lives on and moves forward,” said MSU Director of Athletics Mark Hollis. 

 

 “We are fortunate to have some of the most loyal and supportive fans in the country as evidenced by 53 consecutive seasons in the top 25 in football attendance nationally; a perennially sold-out basketball arena; and large and enthusiastic crowds at hockey, women’s basketball, volleyball and many other venues on campus.”

 

Football fans also are reminded that road construction near Spartan Stadium may cause some traffic slowdowns.

 

Farm Lane, one of MSU’s main thoroughfares, remains closed from Mount Hope Road north to Wilson Road while construction continues on underpasses being built beneath two sets of railroad tracks. Also, Mount Hope Road west of Harrison Road is reduced to one lane and could cause traffic backups.

 

For more information on stadium guidelines, game day traditions, parking and driving directions, visit www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/msu-gameday-parking.html or www.msuspartans.com/footballgameday/.