Oregon Announces Fan Experience And Safety Enhancements At Autzen Stadium
07/26/18 | Football, General
EUGENE, Ore. – As part of a comprehensive effort to enhance the fan experience and continue to improve safety, the University of Oregon announced several changes to the game-day experience at Autzen Stadium for the 2018 football season, including parking lots opening two hours earlier on game day, expansion of in-stadium beer and wine sales, enactment of a clear bag policy, and elimination of the stadium re-entry provision.
"The Autzen Stadium experience is the best and most magical in college football, and we are always looking for ways to enhance that experience for our great fans," Athletic Director Rob Mullens said. "These changes also reflect best practices in the industry regarding fan safety and the high priority we place on a safe and positive experience for everyone attending an Oregon football game."
In response to consistent feedback from fans and similar to policies at Power 5 peer institutions, particularly those traveling from outside the Eugene area, parking lots at Autzen Stadium will now open six hours before kickoff instead of the previous four. This increase in the open hours for stadium parking lots will be more accommodating for fans, and creating a longer pre-game window helps to spread the migration of cars into Eugene, helping to ease parking and traffic congestion both locally in Eugene and along the I-5 corridor. For late morning and noon kickoffs, Autzen Stadium parking lots will not open before 7 a.m.
Additionally, sales of beer and wine – which have long been available in the Moshofsky Center and The Club at Autzen – are being extended to the general concession areas of the stadium. Alcohol sales will not be extended to the student sections in Autzen Stadium. This decision was reached in partnership with campus and law enforcement stakeholders, including the UO Police Department, the Eugene Police Department, and the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. Many of the more than 50 Division I schools with similar policies were also consulted regarding best practices.
In-stadium alcohol sales by trained and licensed servers will provide more control over alcohol consumption and serve as deterrents to overconsumption. Additionally, the number of alcohol monitors on the game-day staff will be significantly increased to allow for increased vigilance regarding binge drinking, underage drinking, and potential incidents. The extended hours for open parking lots as well as the expanded alcohol sales are both part of a one-year pilot program.
Also, as part of an effort to reduce binge drinking and prevent alcohol-related incidents, Autzen Stadium will follow industry best practices by not allowing fans to re-enter the stadium after they've exited at any point during the game.
"Eliminating re-entry at football games creates a safer football environment, plain and simple," UOPD Chief Matt Carmichael said. "Historically, too many fans leave the stadium at halftime and consume additional alcohol during the relatively short break. They often return to the stadium and have the intoxication effects really hit them in the second half. This leads to unruly behavior and medical issues that can easily be avoided. Law enforcement fully support the change, since we know it will support a safe fan experience."
Additionally, a clear bag policy is being instituted for fans entering the stadium. Clear bag policies are used at sports venues throughout the nation to provide for a safer venue and reduce the time spent waiting in line to enter the facility before a game.
Game Day Info: https://goducks.com/faninfo
Clear Bag Policy: https://goducks.com/clearbag
"The Autzen Stadium experience is the best and most magical in college football, and we are always looking for ways to enhance that experience for our great fans," Athletic Director Rob Mullens said. "These changes also reflect best practices in the industry regarding fan safety and the high priority we place on a safe and positive experience for everyone attending an Oregon football game."
In response to consistent feedback from fans and similar to policies at Power 5 peer institutions, particularly those traveling from outside the Eugene area, parking lots at Autzen Stadium will now open six hours before kickoff instead of the previous four. This increase in the open hours for stadium parking lots will be more accommodating for fans, and creating a longer pre-game window helps to spread the migration of cars into Eugene, helping to ease parking and traffic congestion both locally in Eugene and along the I-5 corridor. For late morning and noon kickoffs, Autzen Stadium parking lots will not open before 7 a.m.
Additionally, sales of beer and wine – which have long been available in the Moshofsky Center and The Club at Autzen – are being extended to the general concession areas of the stadium. Alcohol sales will not be extended to the student sections in Autzen Stadium. This decision was reached in partnership with campus and law enforcement stakeholders, including the UO Police Department, the Eugene Police Department, and the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. Many of the more than 50 Division I schools with similar policies were also consulted regarding best practices.
In-stadium alcohol sales by trained and licensed servers will provide more control over alcohol consumption and serve as deterrents to overconsumption. Additionally, the number of alcohol monitors on the game-day staff will be significantly increased to allow for increased vigilance regarding binge drinking, underage drinking, and potential incidents. The extended hours for open parking lots as well as the expanded alcohol sales are both part of a one-year pilot program.
Also, as part of an effort to reduce binge drinking and prevent alcohol-related incidents, Autzen Stadium will follow industry best practices by not allowing fans to re-enter the stadium after they've exited at any point during the game.
"Eliminating re-entry at football games creates a safer football environment, plain and simple," UOPD Chief Matt Carmichael said. "Historically, too many fans leave the stadium at halftime and consume additional alcohol during the relatively short break. They often return to the stadium and have the intoxication effects really hit them in the second half. This leads to unruly behavior and medical issues that can easily be avoided. Law enforcement fully support the change, since we know it will support a safe fan experience."
Additionally, a clear bag policy is being instituted for fans entering the stadium. Clear bag policies are used at sports venues throughout the nation to provide for a safer venue and reduce the time spent waiting in line to enter the facility before a game.
Game Day Info: https://goducks.com/faninfo
Clear Bag Policy: https://goducks.com/clearbag
