12/12/02

Janet McCoy

GAME DAY CHANGES WIN FAN ACCEPTANCE AT AUBURN

AUBURN -- Auburn University's new approach to football game days won favorable reviews from many fans this fall, says Christine Curtis, the plan's coordinator.

The plan, modeled on ones at other SEC institutions, provided picnic areas in the center of campus, added safety measures around the stadium and provided more parking within walking distance of the stadium and a transit system for those who wanted to ride.

"We've received many, many phone calls and e-mails from fans who were supportive of the changes and appreciated the enhanced atmosphere on campus," said Curtis, who is associate provost for Facilities.

The changes at the start of the 2002 football season were communicated to AU fans and visitors through letters, a 2002 Guide to Game Day brochure, e-mails and the Internet.

"We understood there would be some people who would be concerned," said Curtis. "But when people saw that the changes actually provided more parking than before, increased safety for all and benefited campus buildings and grounds, our fans were accommodating."

She said the two new lots for recreational vehicle parking on the west side of Jordan-Hare Stadium proved very popular. RV drivers organized a waiting line off the roadway until the lots opened each Friday at 4 p.m. so they could obtain a prime spot.

Curtis, who headed a committee of university employees from Athletics, Facilities, Public Safety and University Relations, said many people worked to ensure the success of the changes.

"Our employees worked very hard to make sure the fans were accommodated on game day," Curtis said. "And, our public safety officers worked hard to make sure fans obeyed the rules."

The plan included new parking lots for RVs and vehicles, adding more than 1,650 parking spaces on campus; green spaces where people could picnic but not park vehicles on the grass; prohibiting reservations of tailgating spaces until after 4 p.m. on Fridays; and a nine-block area of core campus off-limits to RVs.

Developing the changes involved much thought and discussion, and the committee kept the tradition of tailgating at the forefront of discussions, Curtis said. "Tailgating is a wonderful tradition at Auburn and one that we want to continue," Curtis said. "We want to maintain our great traditions and preserve our heritage."

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CONTACT: Curtis, 334/844-5872.