New experiences improve game day atmosphere
Sept. 23, 2009
The Indiana University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics in Bloomington has developed several new experiences and promotions designed to enhance the game day experience at Memorial Stadium for home football games. New experiences at Memorial Stadium include:
Knothole Park -- Knothole Park is a brand new recreation area behind the south end zone at Memorial Stadium. The park features a field-turf replica of the playing field at Memorial Stadium, and children ages 13 and under will get to play with Nerf footballs, hang out with IU student-athletes from a variety of sports, and chalk the driveway behind the field that has been appropriately renamed Knothole Road.
Kicks-for-Keeps -- The large nets behind the two goalposts are gone, and much like going to a baseball game, field goals and extra points will head into the stands. Fans who catch or retrieve a ball kicked by the Hoosiers will be allowed to exchange the ball for an official IU Adidas game ball that will feature an embossed IU logo. Spectators who catch or retrieve a ball kicked by the opposing team are encouraged to throw it back onto the field. By doing so, the spectator will receive a free T-Shirt acknowledging that he or she threw the ball back at Memorial Stadium.
Red Light Specials -- Once every game, a special IU vehicle with a red siren on top will drive down Knothole Road. An announcement will then be made about what concession item will be that game's Red Light Special. As long as the red light is on, the noted concession item will cost just $1. Concession items and the time of the Red Light Special will change each week.
Shorter lines -- To cut down on the long lines before kickoff, Indiana Athletics has purchased more scanners and hired additional staff to expedite the process of getting fans into Memorial Stadium.
Little 5 feel -- By purchasing a certain number of tickets, residence halls, fraternities, sororities and other student organizations can have painted bed sheets, flags and part of Knothole Road painted with their letters, logo or organization name.
Hoosier Helpers and 'Ask Me' buttons -- To enhance everyone's game day experience, Indiana Athletics has enlisted volunteers to serve as Hoosier Helpers. Hoosier Helpers will be on hand to answer questions and help with emergencies and uncomfortable situations. Ushers will be wearing 'Ask Me' buttons to encourage spectators to approach them with questions that they might have.
'Greening' Memorial Stadium -- In an effort to mix red with green, there will be prominently labeled recycling bins located around the concourses of Memorial Stadium.
Crimson Club -- This is a rewards system to thank students for attending IU athletic events. Every time an IU student attends an IU sporting event, they will be awarded points. By accruing points over the year, they will be eligible to win valuable prizes like iPods and TVs.
Game Day T-Shirt -- IU students are encouraged to wear their IU Game Day T-shirt. The shirt was designed by a student and won in an online vote against nine other designs.
