Contact: Harriet Laird
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State University kicks off the first of seven football weekends this Thursday [Sept. 10] with several events planned, and fans are reminded to keep traffic conditions “top of mind” for Saturday’s late game against LSU.
Bulldog fans will try to set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for most people ringing cowbells simultaneously at Cowbell Yell beginning at 9 p.m. on Thursday evening in Davis Wade Stadium. Gate F at the stadium opens to fans at 7:30 p.m. For more details, visit bit.ly/CowbellYell2015.
On Friday [Sept. 11], the 16th annual Bulldog Bash will feature California-based indie rock band Local Natives in a Cotton District free concert. Other bands performing include Ithaca, New York-based alternative rock band X Ambassadors and New York City indie pop band MisterWives. For more on the event, visit bit.ly/BulldogBashCharity2015.
Kick off for MSU vs. LSU is Saturday [Sept. 12] at 8:15 p.m. on Scott Field. The game will be televised on ESPN. With the late TV timeslot, local and state law enforcement officials have been meeting to discuss plans to make gameday as safe and smooth as possible on campus and city and state roadways.
“We are very thankful for the cooperation of so many local and state agencies as we work to create an enjoyable gameday experience for everyone who visits MSU,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “We face challenging traffic and parking issues on football Saturdays, but sharing the resources of the city, county, the Mississippi Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety enhances our ability to address these issues.”
Amy Tuck, MSU vice president for campus services, said the university has worked tirelessly to provide fans with the fastest and safest egress possible within the current infrastructure.
“The late kick off for this week’s game will cause egress to be slow at times immediately after the game. The University asks fans to have patience as local and state law enforcement agencies work to clear both campus and the Starkville area safely.”
Law enforcement will be working key intersections both on and off campus after the game, and they ask fans to:
--Pay attention and use precaution; follow intersection officers’ instructions.
--View this link for a map of key intersections and traffic flow for post-game egress, bit.ly/GameDayMap2015.
A timeline that will be beneficial to MSU students and faculty and to visitors to campus over the eventful weekend includes:
Thursday
--B.S. Hood closes at 5:30 p.m. for Cowbell Yell
--University officials reserve the right to close it sooner if gate lines become too long.
--Gates open at 7:30 p.m.
Friday
--University Drive closes from the bridge at the Hunter Henry Alumni Center to downtown Starkville from Paige Ave. to Col. Muldrow St. at 2 a.m. for setup of the Bulldog Bash main stage.
--Vendor and Fan Fair setup and installation of lights for the main stage begins at noon, resulting in the following street closures at that time: Maxwell St. at Lummus and Hogan St. (Maxwell St. will remain open).
Saturday (Gameday)
--Roads close at 4 p.m.
--View this link for a map of gameday parking lots, bit.ly/MSUGameParking
More useful gameday information for fans includes:
Golf Carts
--Fans are encouraged to follow all golf cart rules and respect the roads that are off limits beginning four hours prior to kick off.
--Full rules and regulations can be found here: fanguide.msstate.edu/parking/carts.php
Trash and Recycling
--Help keep campus looking nice on gameday for fans and visitors. Fans are encouraged to bag both their recyclable and disposable items during their tailgating.
Shuttles
--Run three hours before kick off and two hours after the end of the game:
Reserved RV/Wise Center--Picks up at RV Lots 29 and 31 and on the northwest corner of the Wise Center and drops off at Thompson Hall.
Thad Cochran Research Park--Runs from Research Park to Humphrey Coliseum.
Davis Wade Express--Picks up at Starkville Daily News and drops off at Giles Hall.
S.M.A.R.T Downtown Route--Service to Giles Hall from the following locations: Patriots Park, Regions Bank, Bank of Commerce, Fire Station One, Hartness Street, Catholic Church, Sweet Peppers to Giles Hall.
Highway 12 Express--Service to Newell Grissom from the following locations: WalMart, Kroger, Avenue of Patriots, Vowell’s Marketplace and The Mill at MSU Conference Center.
--For additional transportation choices that run throughout Starkville, visit www.smart.msstate.edu.
ADA Parking
--ADA parking is available on gameday. Visit bit.ly/MSUGameParking.
--The MSU Parking Assistance Center can provide golf cart shuttle services from all parking areas. On gameday, call 662-325-9114 for all assistance needs.
Bulldog fans also are reminded to follow these important Twitter accounts for updates on traffic conditions, shuttles and parking: @maroonalert, @msstate, @hailstate, @hailstateops, @Starkville_PD, and @ride_smart.