Buckeyes kick-off 2010 home football campaign vs. Marshall

COLUMBUS – Thursday night football comes to Ohio Stadium for the first time since 1997 with Ohio State University hosting Marshall at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 2. The game, which launches the start of an eight-game home schedule for the 2010 season, will involve faculty, staff, students, volunteers and affiliated agencies working throughout the day to transition the campus from a work day toward the evening kick-off.

“We are planning carefully and thoughtfully to ensure that inbound and outbound traffic and parking present few disruptions to the campus,” said Sarah Blouch, director for Ohio State Transportation and Parking Services. “I want to encourage fans to review our football parking maps before traveling to campus because of changes in several lot designations.”

Beginning at 3 p.m., all season and day-of-game parking permit lots will open. The West Campus and disability shuttles will begin operation and provide continuous service, free of charge, through one hour after the game. Fans arriving earlier than 3 p.m., may park in the Buckeye Lots located on Fred Taylor Drive at Ackerman Road. The day-of-game parking fee is $15.

Guests will enjoy the addition of 1,400 new spaces to the game-day landscape with day-of-game parking now available in the new Lane Avenue Garage. Disability parking, relocated the last two years because of campus construction, will be consolidated on the north lot of St. John Arena with overflow parking available in the Lane Avenue Garage.

Parking at the Fawcett Center will change to a season permit lot, and the Sisson Lot and Neil Avenue Garage will be open for public, day-of-game parking. Current construction projects will close the South Lincoln and Parks Hall lots.

A color-coded parking map for the Marshall game (9/2) is available at here. All other football parking information can located here. Traffic information, alerting travelers of construction and road closures on campus, will be broadcast throughout the year on 1650 AM.

Also new on game day is a public safety initiative for children.

Working to provide safety for even the youngest stadium guest, the Departments of Public Safety and Athletics are introducing a “Tag-a-Kid” wristband program to help quickly reunite lost children with families and friends.

Temporary, brightly-colored wristbands, with an area to record emergency contact information, will be available to parents and guardians who want to safeguard their children. The wristbands can be obtained from university police officers, ushers, red coats, and at guest services booths located near Gates 13, 14, and 38.

Fans are encouraged to travel light and to visit the Football Game Day website at www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com to review the list of items permitted and prohibited in Ohio Stadium.

One change in the stadium policy for 2010 prohibits the use of cameras with lenses greater than 100 mm. Bags larger than 14”x14”x 4” are also prohibited and to ensure that a bag does not exceed the specified measurement, bag template stations will be located around the stadium to assist fans. Once inside the stadium, Ohio State cheerleaders will lead new cheers in new uniforms and guests with questions, comments or problems during a game can route text messages – “Brutus [your message]” to 95263.

For season ticket holders not able to attend a game, two options are available through their online ticket account. The Buckeye TicketExchange allows season ticket holders to post their tickets for sale on the Ohio State Ticketing website, and is the only resale service that guarantees a buyer will receive valid tickets to a game. The second option, Ticket Forwarding, allows a ticket holder to electronically forward tickets from their Ohio State ticket account to another guest via email. Associated fees apply for both services.

With nearly one million visitors in Ohio Stadium throughout the football season, Ohio State officials, law enforcement agencies and support personnel will be working throughout the season to ensure that Ohio State football is enjoyed in a fun, safe and family-friendly atmosphere for all guests.