MSU readies for eventful home game weekend

MSU readies for eventful home game weekend

Contact: Allison Matthews

A variety of events are planned on campus throughout the weekend, highlighted by Saturday’s 2:30 p.m. football game as the Bulldogs face Alabama. (Photo by Megan Bean)

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State University kicks off a home football game against Alabama this Saturday [Nov. 14] at 2:30 p.m. on Scott Field, with several other gameday activities planned throughout the weekend.

Fans are reminded to keep traffic conditions “top of mind” for Saturday’s game.

The football game will be televised on CBS. For complete details, visit www.gameday.msstate.edu.

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:

Wednesday

--Creelman Street closes Wednesday [Nov. 11] at 9 p.m. in preparation for SEC Nation.  The closure of the road will continue through Sunday morning [Nov. 15].  The traffic gates near the intersection of Bully Blvd. and President’s Circle, as well as near the intersection of Creelman and Tracy, will be open to allow access to the surrounding lots.  To view the campus map, visit http://bit.ly/2015MSU-UAB

--Officials ask fans and visitors for patience Thursday and Friday as there will be some traffic issues resulting in the closing of Creelman at certain times, particularly around 5 p.m.

Thursday

--12:30 p.m., Mississippi State Athletics will host a memorial service honoring Bulldogs Keith Joseph Jr. and his father, Keith Joseph Sr., at 12:30 p.m. Thursday in Humphrey Coliseum.

--Campus shuttles will reroute around President’s Circle Thursday and Friday. For more information, visit www.smart.msstate.edu

--Expect large equipment to cause some traffic issues. Tractor trailers may be coming and going from the SEC Nation set area. Forklifts will be unloading equipment and officials will be setting up a stage and jumbo screen.

--Students should use caution changing classes in this area Thursday and Friday.

--The university is working to make sure public tailgating areas are minimally decreased.

Friday

--Any commuter decal may park in any commuter zone on Friday. RV Lots 29 and 31 will affect the Park and Ride area by the Wise Center.

--3 p.m., certain lots will be manned for Men’s Basketball Bulldog Club parking.

--4 p.m., The Junction will open; however, fans will not have access to portions of Creelman St. for unloading tailgating equipment. Officials ask everyone to be mindful of the influx on Stone Blvd. as traffic leaves campus and traffic arrives to drop off tailgating supplies.

--Gates open at the Hump for Women’s Basketball. Patrons may enter with either a Women’s Basketball or Men’s Basketball ticket starting at 4 p.m.

--Gameday Assistance Center phone lines (662-325-9114) open to request cart rides/directions for Women’s Basketball and Men’s Basketball games.

--5 p.m., Volleyball vs. Auburn.

--5:15 p.m., Women’s Basketball vs. Samford.

--8 p.m., Men’s Basketball vs. Eastern Washington.

Saturday

--B.S. Hood will close at 6 a.m. Saturday.

--Portions of Stone Blvd. will close at 10:30 a.m. in anticipation of the C-Spire Fan Zone.

--Gates open at Davis Wade Stadium at 12:15 p.m. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and ring responsibly.

--12:30 p.m., Dawg Walk. The route will not change because of SEC Nation.

--Shuttle Routes for Saturday will run three hours before kickoff (11:30 a.m.) and two hours after the end of the game. Routes include:

Reserved RV/Wise Center - Picks up at Lot 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 - Starkville Electric, Regions Bank, Bank of Commerce, Stromboli’s, Catholic Church, Sweet Peppers to Giles Hall.
For additional transportation choices that run throughout Starkville, but do not run on campus visit www.smart.msstate.edu.

Sunday

--1 p.m., Volleyball vs. Texas A&M.

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.

--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.

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.