” It’s a day students, faculty and members of the community have been waiting for: the opening of InfoCision Stadium. With that special day approaching with rapid speed here is the information everyone needs to know before showing up for the first game.”
“

It’s a day students, faculty and members of the community have been waiting for: the opening of InfoCision Stadium.

With that special day approaching with rapid speed here is the information everyone needs to know before showing up for the first game.

According to Jared Coleman, Assistant Director of Parking and Information Services, the parking located closest to the field would be reserved parking for season ticket holders.

While general parking will be spread around campus, there will be lots not in use for game days, such as the Martin Center and residence lots.

Coleman and John Case, the university’s vice president for finance and administration, said students coming to watch the Zips football team should plan to pay to park.

Coleman stated that certain roads will be closed during game day and traffic will be funneled though certain areas. From there, students will go through portals, which they will be required to pay $5 to park.

The four portals will be located on Buchtel Ave., Union Street south of Forge St., University Ave. by the College of Business school and Wolf Ledges just under Exchange St.

Coleman also stated that the exit ramps both north and south to Buchtel Ave. from Route 8 would be closed about 2 hours before the game to help avoid traffic congestion. This is something the City of Akron is doing.

For any game that could take place while classes are being held, there will be designated academic parking, which Coleman said would still be towards the heart of campus. This would include parking at Polsky building and close to the Student Union. Those students coming for other reasons will still have to go through the portals but they will not be charged to park and they will be directed to one of the academic lots.

Football season cannot be talked about without the mentioning of tailgating games, grilling burgers and refreshing drinks. With the stadium now on campus students will still be able to have their fun before and after the game.

According to the University of Akron’s Tailgating Guidelines, students will be allowed to tailgate up to four hours before the game and two hours after the conclusion of the game.

However, tailgating during the game will not be permitted.

So those who decide to get together before the game will be restricted on what they can set up.

Tents larger than 10 x 10 are not permitted without an approval and permit from the university.

For people thinking about grilling out, grills two feet in diameter or less will be permitted in surface parking areas only and propane may only be used.

Ball playing, Frisbee tossing and like yard games are permitted only on green space.

As for alcohol, rules state that possession and consumption of alcohol in university parking areas are subject to the laws and regulations of the State of Ohio.

UAPD chief Paul Callahan stated that all local and state laws will be followed.

We are going to be following the state and local laws as far as alcohol consumption, Callahan said. Open containers are prohibited. Whatever the state and local ordinance says on it, that’s what we’ll follow.

“