UI Cuts Off Post-Game Tailgating For First Home Night Game

IOWA CITY - Walking through downtown Iowa City and the University of Iowa campus 24 hours before Saturday's kickoff, you can definitely feel an extra jolt of energy.

Thousands of alumni walk up Clinton Street, stopping in to buy another Hawkeye hat or sweatshirt.  College students work their cell phones as they try to hatch their pre-game plans.

"At noon, we'll then go out, maybe to an apartment," said Alex Raitzner, a freshman at UI.  "Then to Melrose (Avenue)."

Plenty of time for those pre-game plans awaits with a 7 p.m. kickoff Saturday against Penn State, with a sold-out Kinnick Stadium and a national TV audience watching on ESPN.

This all comes as the University of Iowa has put new tailgating rules into place and a new focus on watching for alcohol-related violations for the 2010 football season.

During the season opener, Sept. 4 vs. Eastern Illinois, the UI Public Safety announced 146 citations, most for open containers.  Some fans complained of long security lines to get into Kinnick Stadium.

The university responded with a more relaxed policy the following week for the Sept. 11 game vs. Iowa State.  Even with more personnel at the entry gates, outside of Kinnick was where the police activity was, with 130 people cited.

The most recent home game, last Saturday vs. Ball State, only results in 26 tickets.

Yet Saturday will bring a whole new set of variables.  First night game.  First Big Ten game.  Penn State in town.  Oh yeah, it's also Homecoming as well.

"We will probably start (partying) tonight to get ready for tomorrow," said Jamie Bolton, a UI alum now living in Pennsylvania.  "We'll start out tailgating at about noon."

That seven-hour stretch, from noon to the 7 p.m. kickoff is a concern for school officials.

"It's going to be a long day and late night so we want people to get home safely after the game," said UI Spokesperson Steve Pradarelli.  This also is the reason for why the university will not allow post-game tailgating.  With an anticipated ending time after 10:30 p.m., the school just wants people out.

Pradarelli said he hopes fans will take a break throughout Saturday and that the university also has other events scheduled throughout the day:

- 1 p.m. Fans can prose with the FedEx Orange Bowl Trophy at Krause Family Plaza.

- 2-4 p.m. The men's basketball team will have a scrimmage at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

- 5:15 p.m. The Hawkeye Marching Band drum line will perform inside the UI Recreation Building.

- 5:45 p.m. The Hawkeye Marching Band will begin its pre-game concert .