Glass Meets with Media on Excellence Academy Construction, Fan Experience Enhancements, Security, Traffic and Parking, and Special Elements for Ohio State Game
8/21/2017 5:45:00 PM | General
BLOOMINGTON, Indiana - Indiana University Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Fred Glass today met with the media on a variety of football-related topics including the progress of the Memorial Stadium South End Zone Excellence Academy construction, new fan experience enhancements, security, traffic and parking, and special elements for the August 31, 2017 home opener against Ohio State.
Excellence Academy
Each year since becoming Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Glass has continued to increase investments in football. No football-related investment has been as significant as the new, $53 million Memorial Stadium South End Zone Excellence Academy. The Memorial Stadium South End Zone Excellence Academy will provide a home for and thereby enhance the Excellence Academy, the nation's most innovative and comprehensive student-athlete development program. In addition, the Excellence Academy will create a bold new "front door" to campus for Memorial Stadium and more generally the Athletics campus while also dramatically improving the fan experience for our football fans and ultimately upgrading what has become an outdated football locker room area. The $53 million facility will open in the summer of 2018 and will enclose Memorial Stadium into a bowl and complete the "Circle of Excellence", which will also include the D. Ames Shuel Academic Center and the Jay and Nancy Wilkinson Performance Center. These three facilities, conveniently located together on the Athletics campus, form the foundation of IU Athletics' commitment to develop its students academically, athletically, and personally.
The facility will include a renovated football locker room and player's lounge (to be completed by the summer of 2019), the Miller Plaza, the Dr. Lawrence D. Rink Center for Sports Medicine and Technology, the Hancock Hiltunen Caito Center for Leadership and Life Skills, the Tobias Nutrition Center, a roof top terrace, giant new video boards in the north and south end zones, and a new ribbon board in the south end zone. The Dr. Lawrence D. Rink Center for Sports Medicine and Technology will be home to the Center for Elite Athlete Development, the Rehabilitation and Treatment Center, and the Irsay Family Wellness Clinic. The Hancock Hiltunen Caito Center for Leadership and Life Skills will also host the Glass Family Student-Athlete Leadership Suite and the Career Counseling Center.
Fan Experience Enhancements
Video Boards
A new, state-of-the-art 20' x 68' Panasonic video board has already been installed on top of the north end zone complex of Memorial Stadium at cost of $502,015. The south end zone video board will be 42' x 91.3' at a cost of $1,088,287. Taken together, these new video boards will provide fans with more square footage of video boards than almost any other stadium in college football.
State of Indiana Flag
Being the flagship school of the State of Indiana, IU Athletics has commissioned a 60' x 100' State of Indiana Flag that will be unfurled by special guests at each home game as "Back Home Again in Indiana" is sung prior to kickoff.
New Hoosier Village Location
Hoosier Village has been moved to a new location on the west side of Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Open three hours prior to kickoff, Hoosier Village will give fans access to food vendors, mobile LED video screens to watch other college football games prior to IU's kickoff, selfie stations, live music and entertainment, access to the Varsity Shop and Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, virtual reality exhibits from the Mark Cuban Center for Sports Media and Technology, a place for fans to pick up posters and promotional items, and will serve as the return to the original launching point of "The Walk". Hoosier Village closes at kickoff.
"The Walk" Returns to Original Location
"The Walk" will originate at the top of the steps outside of the west side of Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. From there, the team will walk directly across the parking lot and enter the east side of Memorial Stadium. This route is a return to the route first developed by late coach Terry Hoeppner when he conceived of "The Walk" upon his arrival at IU. "The Walk" takes place approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes before kickoff.
Free Food for Students
IU Athletics will provide food vouchers for a free hot dog and a drink to students attending home games this season. The free food vouchers will be distributed at the gates for students to redeem at concession stands.
Security
At the recommendation of a nationally recognized security firm, MSA Security, and in consultation with a variety of other security experts, IU Athletics will be implementing a new clear bag and metal detector policy for home games at Memorial Stadium, as well as Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. These are just two of several recommendations by MSA Security that IU Athletics is in the process of implementing, but cannot disclose due to security reasons.
Clear Bags
Indiana University will become the tenth Big Ten institution to adopt a clear bag policy, with the other four institutions not allowing any bags at all. The clear bag policy requires that all items fans wish to bring into the venue fit in either a clear plastic bag that does not exceed 12"x6"x12", a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc or similar) or a small clutch bag with or without a handle/strap that does not exceed 4.5"x6.5" (approximately the size of a hand). Each patron is allowed one small clutch bag and one clear plastic bag that meets the above requirements. Diaper and medical bags are allowed after proper inspection at specified gates on each side of Memorial Stadium (Gates E1 or W3).
For the August 31, 2017, football game against Ohio State, IU Athletics will hand out complimentary clear bags to patrons in the tailgating lots before the game. Members of the ROTC, IU Athletics staff, and other auxiliary groups will be handing these bags out in parking lots 2, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 14.
Walk-Through Metal Detectors
New walk-through metal detectors, known as magnetometers, will be put in place at each gate of Memorial Stadium, as well as Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, starting this year. Based upon a study that measured average screening times and security quality for magnetometers in comparison to wanding metal detectors, IU Athletics has adopted ESG Security's recommendation to use walk-through metal detectors for home events. In addition to requiring the least amount of screening time, the walk-through magnetometers were also determined by the study to be less intrusive and more effective. Even though IU Athletics has gone to the additional expense to use walk-through metal detectors as opposed to wands in order to make the process as fast and unobtrusive as possible for our fans, it will still take substantially more time to enter Memorial Stadium so fans are encouraged to get here early.
Traffic and Parking Plan
#GetHereEarly!
In addition to advising fans to get into the stadium early in light of the new security measures, fans are also encouraged to get to Bloomington early in light of traffic challenges. Parking lots will be opened a minimum of five hours prior to kickoff time for each home contest. For exact times of the opening of lots each week, follow @IUHoosiers on Twitter. Early arriving fans are encouraged to enjoy live entertainment and food in the Hoosier Village, tailgate, tour Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall or take advantage of the wide variety of restaurant and bar options in Bloomington before kickoff.
INDOT has committed to limiting lane restrictions on State Road 37 on gamedays like it did for move-in week. To improve traffic flow, INDOT will also extend green traffic lights along Indiana State Road 37 on game days.
Identifying Alternate Routes
Recent INDOT progress on State Road 37 notwithstanding, IU Athletics has worked with INDOT to identify routes to Bloomington as alternatives to State Road 37 for persons coming to the games from Indianapolis and points north. Construction on State Road 37 can significantly increase the time it takes to travel from Indianapolis. On a good day, it takes approximately one hour to drive from 465 and 37 to Memorial Stadium. While leaving early can substantially mitigate delays, INDOT recommends that fans consider the following alternate routes. Throughout the season, IU Athletics staff members will drive these routes to get up-to-date traffic information communicated to fans.
• State Highway 67 south to Spencer, then State Highway 46 east into Bloomington (estimated travel time for this route 1 hour and 20 minutes from Indianapolis)
• I-65 south toward Columbus to State Highway 46 west into Bloomington (even with construction on I-65 from mile markers 105-107, estimated travel time for this route 1 hour and 20 minutes from Indianapolis)
• I-70 west towards 231-south and then State Highway 46 east into Bloomington (estimated travel time 1 hour and 30 minutes from Indianapolis)
Waze App Implementation
Waze, a community based traffic and navigation app, will be used to communicate traffic patterns in real time upon arrival and departure to and from Bloomington on game day. The app will automatically update to the football pre and postgame traffic pattern as they go into effect. Waze will also house links to allow patrons to find their specific parking lot and route them to the best way of getting there in real time.
Stay Informed
Fans can opt in to the text alert system by texting IUFB to 313131 to begin receiving alerts from IU Athletics. Only pertinent information surrounding travel, traffic, weather and emergency situations will be shared on the text system.
For live up-to-date traffic information on game day, fans can follow @IUHoosiers on Twitter or opt in to the text alert system as IU Athletics will post updates for travelers from those mediums as advised by all parties involved.
IU Athletics will also be posting updated travel information on IUHoosiers.com, issuing traffic related press releases throughout the year, coordinating communications efforts with the University and City of Bloomington communications operations, and sending traffic updates via e-mail to all ticketholders.
Parking Enhancements to Help with Traffic
Prepaid parking passes are available for purchase and are recommended to guarantee a parking spot within the athletic campus on football game days. There is also a $5 discount for prepaid passes. Call the IU Athletics ticket office at 1-866-IUSPORTS to purchase a season or single game pass.
Police and staff will limit access to parking lots to those with appropriate credentials in order to avoid backups and delays associated with people in the wrong
In addition to the lots in and around the athletic campus, there are three parking garages on campus that are available to the public on football game days. Those lots include:
• Fee Lane Garage near Kelley School of Business
• Poplars Garage, entrance on 6th Street between Grant and Dunn Streets
• Henderson Garage, entrances from Indiana Avenue and/or S. Fess Avenue between 3rd Street and Atwater Avenue
Ohio State Game
Given that we are playing in prime time a conference opponent and division rival which will be ranked as one of the top teams in the nation, this will be the biggest opening game in IU football history. More than ever, fans are strongly encouraged to #GetHereEarly in anticipation of a sell-out crowd, traffic challenges, and new security measures.
ESPN College GameDay
For the first time in program history ESPN's College GameDay Built by the Home Depot will broadcast live from inside Memorial Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 31, from 6-8 p.m. EDT, leading into Indiana's season opener against the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes. It will be shown on the new north end zone jumbotron for the enjoyment of our fans who get here early.
ESPN Megacast
ESPN will unleash its MegaCast production for Ohio State at Indiana on Thursday, Aug. 31 (8 p.m. EDT), beginning the 2017 college football season with the most extravagant regular-season game presentation the sport has ever experienced. The multi-network creation will feature the traditional telecast on ESPN and six alternate offerings for fans on ESPNU, ESPNEWS and ESPN3. All previous versions of ESPN's MegaCast have been reserved for the College Football Playoff Semifinals and National Championship games.
Honoring Lee Corso
IU Athletics will honor Lee Corso after the conclusion of the first quarter. Corso, covering the game for ESPN, will be honored on the field for being this year's recipient of the Bill Orwig Award. This award recognizes outstanding contributions made by a non-alumnus to the Indiana University athletic program. It is named for Bill Orwig, IU's athletic director from 1961-1975. Orwig brought Corso to Indiana in 1973.
Gates Opening Early
IU Athletics will open gates two and a half hours before kickoff at 5:30 EDT to allow fans into the stadium to watch ESPN College GameDay on the videoboard on the North End Zone of Memorial Stadium and enjoy other amenities including concession stands which will be open at 5:30 as well. This is a full hour earlier than IU Athletics' traditional 90 minute time of opening gates before kickoff.
Jim Cornelison
IU Jacob's School of Music alumnus Jim Cornelison will sing the "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to the game. Known for singing prior to Chicago Blackhawks home games, Cornelison has become nationally renown for his version of the anthem, and has performed prior to some of the biggest sporting events in the world. He also sang the anthem before last year's men's basketball game when IU upset eventual national champion North Carolina.
Balloon Launch
A massive balloon launch will take place prior to kickoff. Balloon launches are normally reserved for homecoming weekend.
Oldies but Goodies
Kicks for Keeps: When IU makes a field goal or extra point, fans get to keep the ball. When an opponent makes a field goal or extra point throw it back!
Engagement by Ushers and Event Staff: To help make sure our fans have the best experience possible, our ushers and event staff will wear large buttons saying "Ask Me. I'm Here to Help". Fans will be specifically and uniformly welcomed to IU and thanked for coming to IU.
Hoosier Bucks: Ushers and event services staff will have access to "Hoosier Bucks" for use at our concession stands, that they may provide at their discretion to fans who may be in need of a little love as the result of a spilled drink, dropped hot dog, or the like.
William Tell Overture: Played between the third and fourth quarters.
Fan Run Ons: Groups and organizations will lead the run out onto the field before select games this year.
Back Home Again in Indiana: IU Jacobs School of Music professor Brian Horne will once again sing 'Back Home Again in Indiana' as part of the band's pregame performance. This will now be joined by a giant State of Indiana flag.
Victory Flag: After every IU victory, the enormous IU Victory Flag will be raised by members of the Student Athletic Board on the giant flag pole on the southeast corner of the field.
Crimson Guard App: Students are encouraged to sign up for the official student rewards program for IU Athletics. Students who download the app from any app store become eligible for prizes and earn student priority points.
Red Victory Lights: After victories, IU Athletics will light the outside of the North End Zone complex of Memorial Stadium in red after games.
Roving Bands and Cheerleaders: Three different bands and cheerleaders rove the tailgate areas before home games to build excitement for the game.
Big Jake: IU ROTC will fire the cannon from the south end of Memorial Stadium after IU scores.
First Down, Touch Down, Third/Fourth Down, Tap Out Cheers
Friday Night Spirit Patrols: SAB, cheerleaders, and band stop at various bars and restaurants on Kirkwood and in downtown Bloomington to build excitement for the upcoming game.
On Campus Pep Rallies: Pep rallies during home game weeks held at high traffic area on-campus to build excitement for the upcoming game.
Interactive Zones: Photo opportunities for fans on Memorial Stadium concourses (i.e., player cutouts, uniform and helmet displays, inflatable games, themed selfie stations).
Tailgate and Stadium Spirit Patrols: Special promotions team which visits IU tailgates in pregame and inside the stadium to hand out giveaways, prizes, and keep fans engaged.
Fan Advisory Board: A committee of fans will meet, consult, and make formal recommendations to IU Athletics staff on ways to improve the overall fan experience at IU Athletics events.
Oversized Footballs: Oversized football with paint schemes similar to the team's helmet designs will be displayed on concourses.
Memorial Stadium Tours: IU Athletics will host special Memorial Stadium and IU Athletics venue tours on Friday, September 15; Friday, October 14, and Friday, November 3. Tours will feature special interactive fan experiences like catching a pass on the field, special fan-run outs, and photos with team trophies and will include behind-the-scenes access to Memorial Stadium, the press box, Mellencamp Pavilion, Cook Hall, and Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The tours will take place from 7-9 pm.
Dedicated Ride Share Pick-Up and Drop-Off Location: IU Athletics provides a dedicated ride share pick-up and drop-off location on the IU Athletics campus. This will allow fans staying in Bloomington or who already live in town to use ride share services like Uber to be dropped off and picked up close to Memorial Stadium on gamedays. The conveniently located ride share pick-up and drop-off location will also ease gameday related traffic and parking issues, while allowing ticketholders to avoid the hassle of driving and parking on gamedays.
Pedicabs: Indiana Bikecab, based in Indianapolis, will bring ten bike cabs to all September and October home games and offer rides to the stadium from the tailgate lots surrounding the IU Athletics campus. Rides are free of charge, but fans are encouraged to tip drivers.
Water Stations: As part of the Greening Cream and Crimson sustainability initiative, IU Athletics has installed water stations on the East and West Concourses. Fans can bring empty bottles into the stadium to use at water stations, as well as refilling bottles and cups that they purchase at Memorial Stadium concessions stands.
Food Trucks and Free Refills: To provide additional fun food options on the IU Athletics campus on gamedays, food trucks will be located in Hoosier Village and in the Red Lot prior to kickoff. Free beverage refills will be provided for all who buy the special souvenir cup at stadium concessions stands this season.
Don't Be That Guy!: Indiana University is committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable game day experience for all fans. Patrons who see fan behavior that is threatening, rude or vulgar in any way, are asked to report it to IU Event Services staff on-site at Memorial Stadium or by texting 812-369-MYIU (6948).
Excellence Academy
Each year since becoming Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Glass has continued to increase investments in football. No football-related investment has been as significant as the new, $53 million Memorial Stadium South End Zone Excellence Academy. The Memorial Stadium South End Zone Excellence Academy will provide a home for and thereby enhance the Excellence Academy, the nation's most innovative and comprehensive student-athlete development program. In addition, the Excellence Academy will create a bold new "front door" to campus for Memorial Stadium and more generally the Athletics campus while also dramatically improving the fan experience for our football fans and ultimately upgrading what has become an outdated football locker room area. The $53 million facility will open in the summer of 2018 and will enclose Memorial Stadium into a bowl and complete the "Circle of Excellence", which will also include the D. Ames Shuel Academic Center and the Jay and Nancy Wilkinson Performance Center. These three facilities, conveniently located together on the Athletics campus, form the foundation of IU Athletics' commitment to develop its students academically, athletically, and personally.
The facility will include a renovated football locker room and player's lounge (to be completed by the summer of 2019), the Miller Plaza, the Dr. Lawrence D. Rink Center for Sports Medicine and Technology, the Hancock Hiltunen Caito Center for Leadership and Life Skills, the Tobias Nutrition Center, a roof top terrace, giant new video boards in the north and south end zones, and a new ribbon board in the south end zone. The Dr. Lawrence D. Rink Center for Sports Medicine and Technology will be home to the Center for Elite Athlete Development, the Rehabilitation and Treatment Center, and the Irsay Family Wellness Clinic. The Hancock Hiltunen Caito Center for Leadership and Life Skills will also host the Glass Family Student-Athlete Leadership Suite and the Career Counseling Center.
Fan Experience Enhancements
Video Boards
A new, state-of-the-art 20' x 68' Panasonic video board has already been installed on top of the north end zone complex of Memorial Stadium at cost of $502,015. The south end zone video board will be 42' x 91.3' at a cost of $1,088,287. Taken together, these new video boards will provide fans with more square footage of video boards than almost any other stadium in college football.
State of Indiana Flag
Being the flagship school of the State of Indiana, IU Athletics has commissioned a 60' x 100' State of Indiana Flag that will be unfurled by special guests at each home game as "Back Home Again in Indiana" is sung prior to kickoff.
New Hoosier Village Location
Hoosier Village has been moved to a new location on the west side of Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Open three hours prior to kickoff, Hoosier Village will give fans access to food vendors, mobile LED video screens to watch other college football games prior to IU's kickoff, selfie stations, live music and entertainment, access to the Varsity Shop and Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, virtual reality exhibits from the Mark Cuban Center for Sports Media and Technology, a place for fans to pick up posters and promotional items, and will serve as the return to the original launching point of "The Walk". Hoosier Village closes at kickoff.
"The Walk" Returns to Original Location
"The Walk" will originate at the top of the steps outside of the west side of Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. From there, the team will walk directly across the parking lot and enter the east side of Memorial Stadium. This route is a return to the route first developed by late coach Terry Hoeppner when he conceived of "The Walk" upon his arrival at IU. "The Walk" takes place approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes before kickoff.
Free Food for Students
IU Athletics will provide food vouchers for a free hot dog and a drink to students attending home games this season. The free food vouchers will be distributed at the gates for students to redeem at concession stands.
Security
At the recommendation of a nationally recognized security firm, MSA Security, and in consultation with a variety of other security experts, IU Athletics will be implementing a new clear bag and metal detector policy for home games at Memorial Stadium, as well as Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. These are just two of several recommendations by MSA Security that IU Athletics is in the process of implementing, but cannot disclose due to security reasons.
Clear Bags
Indiana University will become the tenth Big Ten institution to adopt a clear bag policy, with the other four institutions not allowing any bags at all. The clear bag policy requires that all items fans wish to bring into the venue fit in either a clear plastic bag that does not exceed 12"x6"x12", a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc or similar) or a small clutch bag with or without a handle/strap that does not exceed 4.5"x6.5" (approximately the size of a hand). Each patron is allowed one small clutch bag and one clear plastic bag that meets the above requirements. Diaper and medical bags are allowed after proper inspection at specified gates on each side of Memorial Stadium (Gates E1 or W3).
For the August 31, 2017, football game against Ohio State, IU Athletics will hand out complimentary clear bags to patrons in the tailgating lots before the game. Members of the ROTC, IU Athletics staff, and other auxiliary groups will be handing these bags out in parking lots 2, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 14.
Walk-Through Metal Detectors
New walk-through metal detectors, known as magnetometers, will be put in place at each gate of Memorial Stadium, as well as Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, starting this year. Based upon a study that measured average screening times and security quality for magnetometers in comparison to wanding metal detectors, IU Athletics has adopted ESG Security's recommendation to use walk-through metal detectors for home events. In addition to requiring the least amount of screening time, the walk-through magnetometers were also determined by the study to be less intrusive and more effective. Even though IU Athletics has gone to the additional expense to use walk-through metal detectors as opposed to wands in order to make the process as fast and unobtrusive as possible for our fans, it will still take substantially more time to enter Memorial Stadium so fans are encouraged to get here early.
Traffic and Parking Plan
#GetHereEarly!
In addition to advising fans to get into the stadium early in light of the new security measures, fans are also encouraged to get to Bloomington early in light of traffic challenges. Parking lots will be opened a minimum of five hours prior to kickoff time for each home contest. For exact times of the opening of lots each week, follow @IUHoosiers on Twitter. Early arriving fans are encouraged to enjoy live entertainment and food in the Hoosier Village, tailgate, tour Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall or take advantage of the wide variety of restaurant and bar options in Bloomington before kickoff.
INDOT has committed to limiting lane restrictions on State Road 37 on gamedays like it did for move-in week. To improve traffic flow, INDOT will also extend green traffic lights along Indiana State Road 37 on game days.
Identifying Alternate Routes
Recent INDOT progress on State Road 37 notwithstanding, IU Athletics has worked with INDOT to identify routes to Bloomington as alternatives to State Road 37 for persons coming to the games from Indianapolis and points north. Construction on State Road 37 can significantly increase the time it takes to travel from Indianapolis. On a good day, it takes approximately one hour to drive from 465 and 37 to Memorial Stadium. While leaving early can substantially mitigate delays, INDOT recommends that fans consider the following alternate routes. Throughout the season, IU Athletics staff members will drive these routes to get up-to-date traffic information communicated to fans.
• State Highway 67 south to Spencer, then State Highway 46 east into Bloomington (estimated travel time for this route 1 hour and 20 minutes from Indianapolis)
• I-65 south toward Columbus to State Highway 46 west into Bloomington (even with construction on I-65 from mile markers 105-107, estimated travel time for this route 1 hour and 20 minutes from Indianapolis)
• I-70 west towards 231-south and then State Highway 46 east into Bloomington (estimated travel time 1 hour and 30 minutes from Indianapolis)
Waze App Implementation
Waze, a community based traffic and navigation app, will be used to communicate traffic patterns in real time upon arrival and departure to and from Bloomington on game day. The app will automatically update to the football pre and postgame traffic pattern as they go into effect. Waze will also house links to allow patrons to find their specific parking lot and route them to the best way of getting there in real time.
Stay Informed
Fans can opt in to the text alert system by texting IUFB to 313131 to begin receiving alerts from IU Athletics. Only pertinent information surrounding travel, traffic, weather and emergency situations will be shared on the text system.
For live up-to-date traffic information on game day, fans can follow @IUHoosiers on Twitter or opt in to the text alert system as IU Athletics will post updates for travelers from those mediums as advised by all parties involved.
IU Athletics will also be posting updated travel information on IUHoosiers.com, issuing traffic related press releases throughout the year, coordinating communications efforts with the University and City of Bloomington communications operations, and sending traffic updates via e-mail to all ticketholders.
Parking Enhancements to Help with Traffic
Prepaid parking passes are available for purchase and are recommended to guarantee a parking spot within the athletic campus on football game days. There is also a $5 discount for prepaid passes. Call the IU Athletics ticket office at 1-866-IUSPORTS to purchase a season or single game pass.
Police and staff will limit access to parking lots to those with appropriate credentials in order to avoid backups and delays associated with people in the wrong
In addition to the lots in and around the athletic campus, there are three parking garages on campus that are available to the public on football game days. Those lots include:
• Fee Lane Garage near Kelley School of Business
• Poplars Garage, entrance on 6th Street between Grant and Dunn Streets
• Henderson Garage, entrances from Indiana Avenue and/or S. Fess Avenue between 3rd Street and Atwater Avenue
Ohio State Game
Given that we are playing in prime time a conference opponent and division rival which will be ranked as one of the top teams in the nation, this will be the biggest opening game in IU football history. More than ever, fans are strongly encouraged to #GetHereEarly in anticipation of a sell-out crowd, traffic challenges, and new security measures.
ESPN College GameDay
For the first time in program history ESPN's College GameDay Built by the Home Depot will broadcast live from inside Memorial Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 31, from 6-8 p.m. EDT, leading into Indiana's season opener against the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes. It will be shown on the new north end zone jumbotron for the enjoyment of our fans who get here early.
ESPN Megacast
ESPN will unleash its MegaCast production for Ohio State at Indiana on Thursday, Aug. 31 (8 p.m. EDT), beginning the 2017 college football season with the most extravagant regular-season game presentation the sport has ever experienced. The multi-network creation will feature the traditional telecast on ESPN and six alternate offerings for fans on ESPNU, ESPNEWS and ESPN3. All previous versions of ESPN's MegaCast have been reserved for the College Football Playoff Semifinals and National Championship games.
Honoring Lee Corso
IU Athletics will honor Lee Corso after the conclusion of the first quarter. Corso, covering the game for ESPN, will be honored on the field for being this year's recipient of the Bill Orwig Award. This award recognizes outstanding contributions made by a non-alumnus to the Indiana University athletic program. It is named for Bill Orwig, IU's athletic director from 1961-1975. Orwig brought Corso to Indiana in 1973.
Gates Opening Early
IU Athletics will open gates two and a half hours before kickoff at 5:30 EDT to allow fans into the stadium to watch ESPN College GameDay on the videoboard on the North End Zone of Memorial Stadium and enjoy other amenities including concession stands which will be open at 5:30 as well. This is a full hour earlier than IU Athletics' traditional 90 minute time of opening gates before kickoff.
Jim Cornelison
IU Jacob's School of Music alumnus Jim Cornelison will sing the "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to the game. Known for singing prior to Chicago Blackhawks home games, Cornelison has become nationally renown for his version of the anthem, and has performed prior to some of the biggest sporting events in the world. He also sang the anthem before last year's men's basketball game when IU upset eventual national champion North Carolina.
Balloon Launch
A massive balloon launch will take place prior to kickoff. Balloon launches are normally reserved for homecoming weekend.
Oldies but Goodies
Kicks for Keeps: When IU makes a field goal or extra point, fans get to keep the ball. When an opponent makes a field goal or extra point throw it back!
Engagement by Ushers and Event Staff: To help make sure our fans have the best experience possible, our ushers and event staff will wear large buttons saying "Ask Me. I'm Here to Help". Fans will be specifically and uniformly welcomed to IU and thanked for coming to IU.
Hoosier Bucks: Ushers and event services staff will have access to "Hoosier Bucks" for use at our concession stands, that they may provide at their discretion to fans who may be in need of a little love as the result of a spilled drink, dropped hot dog, or the like.
William Tell Overture: Played between the third and fourth quarters.
Fan Run Ons: Groups and organizations will lead the run out onto the field before select games this year.
Back Home Again in Indiana: IU Jacobs School of Music professor Brian Horne will once again sing 'Back Home Again in Indiana' as part of the band's pregame performance. This will now be joined by a giant State of Indiana flag.
Victory Flag: After every IU victory, the enormous IU Victory Flag will be raised by members of the Student Athletic Board on the giant flag pole on the southeast corner of the field.
Crimson Guard App: Students are encouraged to sign up for the official student rewards program for IU Athletics. Students who download the app from any app store become eligible for prizes and earn student priority points.
Red Victory Lights: After victories, IU Athletics will light the outside of the North End Zone complex of Memorial Stadium in red after games.
Roving Bands and Cheerleaders: Three different bands and cheerleaders rove the tailgate areas before home games to build excitement for the game.
Big Jake: IU ROTC will fire the cannon from the south end of Memorial Stadium after IU scores.
First Down, Touch Down, Third/Fourth Down, Tap Out Cheers
Friday Night Spirit Patrols: SAB, cheerleaders, and band stop at various bars and restaurants on Kirkwood and in downtown Bloomington to build excitement for the upcoming game.
On Campus Pep Rallies: Pep rallies during home game weeks held at high traffic area on-campus to build excitement for the upcoming game.
Interactive Zones: Photo opportunities for fans on Memorial Stadium concourses (i.e., player cutouts, uniform and helmet displays, inflatable games, themed selfie stations).
Tailgate and Stadium Spirit Patrols: Special promotions team which visits IU tailgates in pregame and inside the stadium to hand out giveaways, prizes, and keep fans engaged.
Fan Advisory Board: A committee of fans will meet, consult, and make formal recommendations to IU Athletics staff on ways to improve the overall fan experience at IU Athletics events.
Oversized Footballs: Oversized football with paint schemes similar to the team's helmet designs will be displayed on concourses.
Memorial Stadium Tours: IU Athletics will host special Memorial Stadium and IU Athletics venue tours on Friday, September 15; Friday, October 14, and Friday, November 3. Tours will feature special interactive fan experiences like catching a pass on the field, special fan-run outs, and photos with team trophies and will include behind-the-scenes access to Memorial Stadium, the press box, Mellencamp Pavilion, Cook Hall, and Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The tours will take place from 7-9 pm.
Dedicated Ride Share Pick-Up and Drop-Off Location: IU Athletics provides a dedicated ride share pick-up and drop-off location on the IU Athletics campus. This will allow fans staying in Bloomington or who already live in town to use ride share services like Uber to be dropped off and picked up close to Memorial Stadium on gamedays. The conveniently located ride share pick-up and drop-off location will also ease gameday related traffic and parking issues, while allowing ticketholders to avoid the hassle of driving and parking on gamedays.
Pedicabs: Indiana Bikecab, based in Indianapolis, will bring ten bike cabs to all September and October home games and offer rides to the stadium from the tailgate lots surrounding the IU Athletics campus. Rides are free of charge, but fans are encouraged to tip drivers.
Water Stations: As part of the Greening Cream and Crimson sustainability initiative, IU Athletics has installed water stations on the East and West Concourses. Fans can bring empty bottles into the stadium to use at water stations, as well as refilling bottles and cups that they purchase at Memorial Stadium concessions stands.
Food Trucks and Free Refills: To provide additional fun food options on the IU Athletics campus on gamedays, food trucks will be located in Hoosier Village and in the Red Lot prior to kickoff. Free beverage refills will be provided for all who buy the special souvenir cup at stadium concessions stands this season.
Don't Be That Guy!: Indiana University is committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable game day experience for all fans. Patrons who see fan behavior that is threatening, rude or vulgar in any way, are asked to report it to IU Event Services staff on-site at Memorial Stadium or by texting 812-369-MYIU (6948).
IUVB vs. Northwestern: Highlights
Thursday, September 25
FB: Under the Hood with Indiana Football - Week 5 (at Iowa)
Wednesday, September 24
FB: Aiden Fisher Media Availability (9/23/25)
Tuesday, September 23
FB: Pat Coogan Media Availability (9/23/25)
Tuesday, September 23