Inside Iowa State

September 9, 2005

Game day tips

by Annette Hacker

Saturday, Sept. 10, is the Super Bowl for Iowans, the day Iowa State and Iowa renew their football rivalry for the 53rd time. Kickoff is 2:30 p.m., and the game will air live on ABC-TV.

About 80,000 fans are expected to gather in and around the stadium, and many of them know only one way to get there -- the Elwood Drive exit off Highway 30. Taking that route to the biggest game of the year is sure to create a bottleneck. Avoid delays and alleviate frustration by using other routes into Ames and to the stadium neighborhood. Whichever route you take, add extra time to your drive to accommodate heavier traffic and parking challenges.

Parking lots will open at 8:30 a.m. and stadium gates at 12:30 p.m. You'll get into the stadium much more quickly carrying nothing but a ticket. Avoid bringing bags and purses -- the necessary bag checks slow entrance into the stadium. The following items are not allowed in Jack Trice Stadium:

• Alcohol
• Video cameras
• Coolers
• Chairs
• Seat cushions
• Strollers
• Bottles and cans
• Whole fruit

Remember that parking in any campus general staff lot is free on Saturdays. This does not apply to handicapped parking spaces, 24-hour reserved spaces or loading zones. Regular rates apply at the Memorial Union parking ramp.

A sell-out

The game is sold out. Public will-call opens at 9 a.m. at the ticket office on the northwest side of the stadium. Tickets will be checked at the gate and within the stadium. Buyer beware -- if your ticket was not purchased through the University of Iowa or Iowa State University, you may have a fraudulent ticket.

The Highway 30-Elwood Drive route to the stadium is the only route some fans know. Avoid it if you can.