Several Game-Day Events to Welcome Return of Football

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Football will officially return to Lindsey Wilson College at 1:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Sept. 4, when the Blue Raiders play Notre Dame (Ohio) College.

But before the ball is kicked off at Blue Raider Stadium -- heralding the return of football to LWC after a nearly 75-year absence -- Blue Raider fans will have ample opportunities on Saturday morning to get into the spirit of the day.

"We want the morning leading up to a game to be a big event on campus," said Lindsey Wilson Director of Student Activities Jayne Hopkins. "One of the great things about having a football game on a college campus is the tailgating, cookouts and other activities that lead up to the games."

Beginning at 10:30 a.m. CT on Saturday, the LWC Student Activities Office will host the inaugural Tailgate in the Quad on the Campus Quadrangle. LWC catering services will provide a picnic lunch to students and guests at the west end of the Campus Quadrangle, near the Holloway Building, 235 North Blue Raider Drive. The event -- which will feature the Lindsey Wilson Blue Raider Marching Band -- is free to students and $5.75 for guests and members of the general public.

"We've created an event that is both fun for students and fans, and it's also affordable for families," Hopkins said. "Not everyone has the time or the energy to tailgate, so Tailgate in the Quad is a relaxing alternative for families."

Serious tailgaters can roll into Lindsey Wilson Sports Park -- which includes Blue Raider Stadium, Egnew Park and Blue Raider Field -- beginning at 9:30 a.m. CT on Saturday. Parking is free, but it is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

"We have had a lot of interest in parking, so people who want to park near Blue Raider Stadium should plan to arrive early," said LWC Athletic Director Willis Pooler. 

Gates to Blue Raider Stadium will open at 11:30 a.m. CT, and when they open the concession stand will offer the usual fare of items, including pizza hotdogs, chilidogs, pretzels, nachos and cheese, popcorn, candy bars, funnel cakes, frozen lemonade, soft drinks and coffee.

General admission tickets to the game are $8 for adults, $5 for students and children 6-12 and older, and free for children 5 and under.  

Back at the Campus Quadrangle, fans will gather in front of the Holloway Building, 235 North Blue Raider Drive, a little before noon to join the Raider March to Blue Raider Stadium, 820 Hanley Lane. Under the direction of Director of Instrumental Ensembles Tim Allen and escorted by the Columbia Police Department, the Blue Raider Marching Band will lead the one-mile walk to Lindsey Wilson Sports Park.

"We practiced the march earlier in the school year during one of the scrimmages, and it was very popular with the more than 200 students who participated," Hopkins said. "We hope to have a lot of fans join us on the walk on Saturday. What's nice about the Raider Walk is that people can park on campus, then they don't have to worry about finding a parking space near the stadium or fighting traffic after the game."

A Fan's Guide to Saturday's Game
1. Where is Blue Raider Stadium? Blue Raider Stadium is part of Lindsey Wilson Sports Park, 820 Hanley Lane, which is visible from Exit 49 of the Louis B. Nunn Cumberland Parkway. The entrance is on Kentucky Highway 80, about a half-mile east of Jamestown Street-Highway 80 (Russell Road) intersection.

2. How do I get tickets? Reserved seats are sold out, but general-admission seats will be available on game day at the Blue Raider Stadium ticket booth, which opens at 9:30 a.m. CT. Prices: $8 for general admission for adults; $5 for students and children 6-12 and older; and free for children 5 and under. General-admission bleacher season tickets are $35, and they may be purchased by calling the LWC Athletics Office at (270) 384-8070.

3. Where can I park? Parking at Lindsey Wilson Sports Park is free, but it is available on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 9:30 a.m. CT. An auxiliary lot is located off Gaston Avenue. Gaston Avenue is located off of Jamestown Street, across the street from McDonald's and directly next to the Spy Street Restaurant.

4. Can I tailgate? Tailgating is limited to parking lots designated for game-day parking. Lindsey Wilson does not permit the use of alcohol on any college property.

5. Can I bring an umbrella into Blue Raider Stadium? For the comfort and safety of everyone, umbrellas are not allowed into the stadium. If it rains, fans are advised to bring other rain gear, such as ponchos.

6. Can I walk on the field after the game? For the safety of fans, players and game officials, no fans are allowed on the playing field or surrounding track before, after or during the game.

7. Can I bring food and drinks into Blue Raider Stadium? Outside food and drink are not allowed in Blue Raider Stadium. A concession stand is located inside the main entrance on the concourse level.

8. When does Blue Raider Stadium open? Blue Raider Stadium opens two hours before a game's scheduled kickoff time, 11:30 a.m. CT this Saturday. Tailgating and parking lots open four hours before kickoff, 9:30 a.m. CT this Saturday.

9. How long will the game last? The NAIA follows the same game-time procedures as the NCAA. Four 15-minute quarters will be played, with a 20-minute halftime featuring performances by the Lindsey Wilson marching band, cheerleaders and dance team. The game will be broadcast live on DuoCounty Channel 2 and on www.lindseyathletics.com via iHigh.com. DuoCounty will rebroadcast the game, and an archived edition will be posted on www.lindseyathletics.com.

10. Will game programs be sold at Blue Raider Stadium? Return of Blue Raider Football game-day program will be sold inside the stadium. A flip card -- which lists names and numbers of LWC and Notre Dame players -- will be inserted into the program.

More ...
Click here to go to the LWC football home page.