Kinnick Stadium braces for winter storm warning

IOWA CITY — The Iowa-Purdue game won't be canceled. You are, however, going to need your winter gear, most definitely boots.

On Thursday evening, the National Weather Service in Quad Cities issued a Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow. The warning is in effect from 6 p.m. Friday to noon Saturday.

The Purdue-Iowa game will, of course, go on. The University of Iowa spent much of Thursday organizing procedures to deal with the snow. The last significant snowstorm that hit Kinnick Stadium before a football game was in 1991. So yes, the plans needed molding assuming the storm hits when it's supposed to hit.

'Even though we have a really great plan,' Damian Simcox, UI facilities director, said Thursday, 'depending when it starts and how much we get, there are limitations that we may have to deal with.'

Inside of Kinnick Stadium, the stairs, tunnels and the field are priorities. The Kinnick field is FieldTurf, but it can withstand plowing and that is what will happen. Before Kinnick gates open, the snow will be plowed into the north end zone. From there, a Bobcat will scoop it and load it on trailers where the snow will be taken out of the stadium and dumped at designated areas in the parking lot.

'We'll do that as long as we can before the gates open,' Simcox said. 'Once they do open, hopefully, it's not snowing as much and we'll be able to put it inside the stadium.'

Plan on this: With heavy traffic areas set as the priorities, the bleachers inside of Kinnick could be full of snow. Simcox said stadium personnel will try to do as much with the bleachers as they can. Give the seat a good wipe and wear boots. Simcox said your feet are going to be in snow.

Several UI departments will be involved, including facilities, event management and parking. The UI also will call on some outside contractors. Iowa City streets and traffic engineering will do its normal work on the streets and sidewalks around Kinnick.

'We're going to be having a lot of folks come in who may not have this in their job description,' said Paula Jantz, UI associate athletics director for operations/event management. 'We keep telling them it's a resume-building opportunity. We'll have other staff and individuals helping us out.'

The last time Kinnick Stadium was hit with a heavy amount of snow before a game was Nov. 23, 1991. Iowa wide receiver Danan Hughes caught a 45-yard TD pass and did a snow angel in the end zone. The Hawkeyes beat Minnesota, 23-8, for Hayden Fry's 100th victory and to finish a 10-1 season.

Around 75 fans were ejected from Kinnick for throwing snowballs, some of which were aimed at the officiating crew. So, probably don't do that.

Early Thursday, the UI said no parking will be allowed on grass-surface lots around Kinnick, including the Finkbine Golf Course and Driving Range, and Lower Finkbine near the Iowa track and field complex south of Highway 6. (For further information on parking options, fans are encouraged to visit footballgameday.com.)

Also, the UI has adjusted its security measures at Kinnick for Saturday's game.

UI athletics and UI Police issued a release Thursday telling fans to plan to arrive early for a more extensive screening process that is modeled after the National Football League. There will be more restrictions on purses and handbags.

The release stated, 'The clear-bag policy is not tied to any specific threat but reflects modifications being made at other venues in light of recent international events. Fans should expect to see an increased police and security presence before, during, and after the game.'

A bag check area will be available at the Recreation Building northwest of Kinnick Stadium for fans who need a place to store their items during the game. The bag check-in will open at 9 a.m. and close one hour after the game. Gates will open at 9:30 a.m. in order to allow fans to reach their seats by kickoff.

The following will be permitted:

• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and do not exceed 14' X 14'

• One-gallon clear plastic bag (Ziploc or similar)

• Small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed 4.5' X 6.5'

• Patrons with infants will be permitted to bring diaper bags

• Binoculars, blankets, seat cushions, one sealed plastic water bottle, food contained in a one-gallon clear plastic bag

*Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at the gates

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to:

• Alcohol, coolers, kegs, camel backs, thermoses, canned or bottled beverages

• Backpacks, purses and handbags

• Banners and signs

• Large lens (6 inches or more) cameras and tripods

l Comments: (319) 398-8256; marc.morehouse@thegazette.com