Photo by Kat Owens.
As another season of Lindenwood Lions home football games are upon students, getting a reminder on the routine of gameday on campus is in order.
The Lions will be hosting the University of Central Arkansas this Saturday, Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. at Hunter Stadium. The first 500 students through the gate will also receive a free t-shirt for attending the game. Tickets are free to Lindenwood students and cost $12 for non-students wishing to attend the game.
Tailgating will take place throughout campus, but the most popular spot to do so is in the shared parking lot across from the Spellmann Center, in the parking lot between Guffey Hall and Blanton Hall. However, tailgating is allowed on almost every lot on campus, and all are first come and first served aside from Lot B, which is the one situated between Guffey and Blanton. That particular lot has a premium parking fee for game day tailgating. Additionally, the Harmon Hall is designated for opposing team tailgating and will be blocked off for that reason. Each lot opens up four hours prior to kickoff, but tailgates must wrap up by the time the game begins.
As for tailgating specifics, household items like tables, recliners, and couches are prohibited, but lawn chairs and outdoor furniture are permitted. Alcohol consumption is allowed at football games and tailgates, but only by those 21 years of age and older, and no glass bottles or open source containers are allowed. Further, once the game starts alcohol is not allowed outside of designated areas, and public intoxication is strictly prohibited. For any safety concerns, the university urges game attendees to contact Public Safety as soon as possible, using the number 636-949-4911. Grilling is allowed, as long as there is no open flame and a fire extinguisher is present. Tents are also allowed, as long as they are not set up in a manner where they block driving lanes. Lastly, speakers and sound machines are allowed, but the university states they reserve the right to ask those to turn them down if the sound levels negatively impact others attending the game.
As for entering the gates for the game, students will be urged to have their student identification cards handy, as they will be needed as proof of enrollment at the school. Students are also welcome, but not forced, to sit in the student section behind the northern end zone. Two different gates will allow fans in, one main entrance, closer to the Evans Commons, and one side entrance, on the Spellmann side of the field.
Concessions will be sold at the game, but items for sale will vary on availability. Prior to the game, a plethora of organizations will be set up as apart of the Lion Pride Tailgate, offering free samples of food, or their business pitches promoting their particular organization. The university will also offer a variety of games and events in this area prior to kickoff. Also present will be the Lindenwood marching band, which will perform during and prior to the game.
While the first home football game of the season has it’s fair share of extra theater, most of the gameday experience remains the same for the entire season. Following Central Arkansas, Lindenwood will welcome five other opponents to Hunter Stadium throughout the season. The University of St. Thomas visits on Sept. 21, Tennessee State University on Oct. 5, Charleston State University on Oct. 12, Western Illinois University on Oct. 26 and Southeast Missouri State on Nov. 9. Each of those games are slated to kick off at 1 p.m.
