Rhode Island Rams Football 2011 Fan Guide Welcome to another exciting season of Rhody Ram Football. Whether you are a long-time season ticket holder or a first-time visitor to Meade Stadium, we thank you for your patronage and hope that your visit is an enjoyable one. In order to make your visit easier and more enjoyable, we have created this fan guide for you, our guest that provides transportation guidelines, a general layout of the facilities and parking lots, stadium policies, and other pertinent information. Please take some time to review this guide before you head to the stadium. 2011 Rhode Island Rams Football Schedule DATE OPPONENT TIME September 10 at Syracuse 4:30pm September 17 at UMass* 6:30pm September 24 FORDHAM 1:00pm October 1 October 8 at Brown Governor s Cup OLD DOMINION* Youth Football/Band Day 6:00pm 1:00pm October 15 at Maine* 1:00pm October 22 DELAWARE* Homecoming/Habitat for Humanity White Out 12:30pm October 29 at New Hampshire* 12:00 PM November 5 WILLIAM & MARY* Military Appreciation Day/Family Weekend 1:00pm November 12 at James Madison* 3:00pm November 19 TOWSON* Senior Day *CAA Conference game 12:30pm Please note: Game times/dates are subject to change without notice. Please refer to the schedule on www.gorhody.com for any changes in time/date. 1
Ticket Information Ryan Center Box Office Hours of Operation The box office is located in the Ryan Center, on the North side off of West Alumni Ave, and is open from 10am- 6pm Monday through Friday, and 10am-2pm Tuesday from September 6 th to April, and 10am-4pm Monday through Friday from May to September 6th. For questions call, (401) 874-RAMS (7267). Ticket Sales: Advance Individual Game Ticket Sales Tickets can be purchased at the Ryan Center Box Office, Ticketmaster.com, or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Game Day Sales The box office, located off West Alumni Ave by the Ryan Center North lobby, opens at 10am on game days. The South ticket office (URI Athletic Complex side) opens 90 minutes prior to kick off. Tickets A ticket for admission is required for all persons ages 2 and older. Replacement Ticket Policy If season tickets are lost, or left at home, then the tickets can be reprinted at the Box Office. There is a $5 fee for this service. Away Game Tickets URI Football away tickets are available through the Ryan Center Box Office. All away ticket requests are filled based on athletic donor society level and then by priority point ranking. The box office can typically fill requests up until one week prior to the game. To order your away tickets call 401-874-RAMS (7267). Will Call: General Will Call General will call is located at the first window at the main ticket office, located on the north side of the Ryan Center, off of West Alumni Ave. The will call window opens at 10am, day of the game. General will call includes all tickets ordered via Ticketmaster, the box office or left by a URI Coach or staff member. Player Will Call Rhode Island Player guests and visiting team player guests, recruits, and visiting high school coaches can pick up their tickets in the North Lobby of the Ryan Center off of West Alumni Ave. A photo ID is required to receive a ticket that is at player will call. Tickets are stubbed and immediate entrance to the stadium is required. Player will call opens 60 minutes prior to kick off. Please plan to arrive early to avoid lines. Student Tickets URI undergraduate students can present their valid URI ID at either the outdoor ticket booth located at the North East Gate on the East Stand side (this entrance is located off West Alumni and the Burnside Dorm)or at the South Gate entrance located on the scoreboard end of the field. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. Student seating is located in sections 1 and 2, and is general admission by section. 2
General Information ATM Machine The Ryan Center has two ATM s, located in the North lobby, by sections 102 and 103, and on the South concourse, by section 209. Family Fun Zone The Family Fun Zone is located in the south end zone, near the scoreboard. The Family Fun Zone is bigger and better than ever and will offer music, entertainment, games and family activities. The Family Fun Zone is open one hour prior to kickoff. First Aid The First Aid station is located by the northeast gate of Meade Stadium. If you are in need of immediate medical attention, please contact your nearest usher or public safety officer. Group Tickets Group ticket rates, birthday parties and special event opportunities are available for most games. To inquire about any of these options, please call URI Group Sales at 401-874-5773, or (401) 874-5388. Guest Conduct Meade Stadium and the Ryan Center strives to provide its guests with a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable atmosphere. Therefore, Meade Stadium and the Ryan Center have established the following guidelines: Guests interfering with other guests ability to enjoy the event may be subject to ejection. Guests using foul or abusive language or inappropriate gestures may be ejected. Guests appearing to be under the influence of an illegal substance may be ejected from and turned over to the authorities. In accordance with facility regulations, the following items are not permitted in Meade Stadium or the Ryan Center: Aerosol cans Alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs Animals (except for certified service dogs) Backpacks Beach balls and other inflatables Bota bags or other wine skins Bullhorns or other artificial noise makers Professional cameras or recording devices Confetti Fireworks, firearms, or other weapons Glass bottles or aluminum cans Ice chests, coolers, or thermos containers Laser pointers Outside food or beverage Skateboards or roller blades Sticks or clubs (including signs attached to sticks) Stools or folding chairs Water bottles or mugs Lost and Found Lost and found during URI Football games is located in the Ryan Center at the main box office. Articles that are found should be turned over to Ryan Center ushers or brought to this location. To retrieve lost items, visit the box office or call the box office during normal hours at (401) 874-RAMS (7267). Restrooms Restrooms are located in Meade Stadium underneath the east stands (Sec. 1-5) as well as in the Ryan Center. Ryan Center The Ryan Center is adjacent to Meade Stadium, and offers concessions stands, merchandise in the Ram Zone and restrooms open to all patrons with tickets during football games. Smoking Smoking is not permitted in the stands at Meade Stadium or in the Ryan Center. There is a designated smoking area by the north and south gates entrance gates to Meade Stadium as well as the east entrance of the Ryan Center. Suites The Ryan Center has seven luxury suites, located on the suite level. Each suite overlooks the football field and the arena floor. For information on how to rent a game suite call 401-788-3080. 3
Parking Information Reserved Donor Parking Donors at the Captain s Society level ($250 and above) will have access to the two reserved donor lots with passes, Ram and Ellery Pond Lot. Please refer to the map for designated lots. A parking pass is required for access to these lots, and traditional tailgating with alcohol is permitted. For questions on access to these parking areas and giving to athletics, please call the Athletic Development at (401) 874-7536. Replacement Parking Passes URI athletics is not responsible for lost or stolen parking passes. If a parking pass has been lost or stolen, a replacement can be obtained by calling the URI Athletic Development office at (401) 874-7536. General Parking Parking at Meade Stadium is free, with the exception of the Plains Road Tailgating Lot (East Side). Please refer to the maps for designated public parking lots. Tailgating The general public can tailgate in the Plains Road Lot (East Side) located off Plains Road. The parking fee for this lot is $10 and patrons can bring their own alcoholic beverages in this area. Family/Alcohol Free Parking Family/Alcohol-Free parking areas are in the Plains Road Lot (West Side) located off Plains Road as well as the Keaney Lot located off Rt. 138. Parking in these lots is free and alcohol is not permitted. Accessible Parking Accessible parking is available in the Ram lot outside of the main lobby of the Ryan Center on a first-come, firstserved basis on the day of the game. A state-approved handicapped parking permit is necessary for access to all handicapped parking areas. The Ram lot is also open for patron drop off. PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information on Parking and Tailgating policies and map please see pages 5-7. Questions? Call 401-874-RAMS (7267) Directions Please note these directions will take you to the main entrance (north side) of the Ryan Center which is home of the main ticketing (ticket office), player will call and will call windows. From Newport Take Route -138 West towards Jamestown and New York Merge onto Route 1 South Then Take a right onto Route -138 W Follow route 138 West for approximately 5 miles Right onto Plains Rd. and follow signs to Parking From the North Take I-95 South Take Exit #9 a Left exit to route 4 South towards Newport/South County Merge onto RI-4 South Take Exit #5B Route 102 towards Exeter Take a Left at the first traffic light onto South County Trail - Route 2 Follow route 2 for approximately 7 miles Take a left at the traffic light onto route-138w/kingstown Rd. At your second traffic light take a left onto Plains Rd. and follow signs to Parking From the South Take 95 North Get off at exit #3A Route 138 East towards Kingston and Newport Follow Route RI-138West/Kingstown Rd. for approximately 8 miles Take a Left onto Plains Rd. and follow signs to Parking 4
URI Football Tailgating Regulations As of Fall 2011 ALL TAILGATING AREAS WILL OPEN THREE (3) HOURS PRIOR TO SCHEDULED START OF THE GAME AND WILL CLOSE 15 MINUTES BEFORE KICKOFF. ALL TAILGATING AREAS MUST BE CLEARED WHILE THE GAME IS IN PROGRESS. ALL TAILGATING AREAS WILL CLOSE 60 MINUTES AFTER THE GAME. GENERAL TAILGATING REGULATIONS 1. Glass containers are prohibited. 2. Ball playing and other games are not allowed in tailgate areas. 3. No bands, large speakers or amplified music will be permitted. 4. No solicitation of any kind is allowed. This includes banners, raffles, or the selling of any products (food, drink, apparel, souvenirs) without written permission from URI Athletics. 5. No political signage or materials endorsing a particular candidate or issue may be displayed. 6. Portable rest rooms are available in all areas. Additional facilities are located inside Meade Stadium and the Ryan Center both of which open one hour prior to kickoff. 7. Food and beverage may not be brought into Meade Stadium or the Ryan Center. 8. The University of Rhode Island reserves the right to revoke parking and/or game admission privileges for violation of any State, University, or published policies regarding the consumption of alcohol or use of parking areas. TAILGATING IS A PRIVILEGE - NOT A RIGHT - AND THE UNIVERSITY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CLOSE DOWN ANY OR ALL TAILGATING AREAS AND TO DISMISS ANY PERSON FROM THE PREMISES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS POLICY OR WHEN IT DETERMINES IS REQUIRED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY PURPOSES. RAM LOT AND ELLERY POND LOT (DONOR LOTS) 1. Kegs, glass containers and bottles, and other large quantities of alcohol are prohibited inside the Ram and Ellery Pond lots. 2. Access to the Ram Lot and the Ellery Pond Lot is by parking pass only based on donor support. 3. The legal age for possession of alcoholic beverages and consumption of alcoholic beverages in R.I. is 21. KEANEY LOT/BOSS ICE ARENA LOT (FAMILY PARKING/ALCOHOL FREE) 1. The Keaney and Boss Ice Arena lots are designated as the Family/Alcohol Free area. PLAINS ROAD LOT (TAILGATING AREA - $10.00) AND (NON-TAILGATING AREA NO CHARGE) 1. The Plains Road Lot provides opportunity for traditional general public tailgating. 2. The legal age for possession of alcoholic beverages and consumption of alcoholic beverages in Rhode Island is 21. 3. The Plains Road Lot will be open three (3) hours prior to kickoff and will close at kick off. The lot will not reopen for the remainder of the day. 4. Kegs and other large quantities of alcohol will not be permitted in the tailgate area. 5. Vehicles are subject to random searches by University personnel 6. Any person 21 years or older who would like to consume alcohol must first show a valid form of identification at the ID stand located within the tailgate area. After doing so the individual will have a wristband placed on his/her wrist and be given a game day specific cup. 7. Any alcohol must be consumed out of the cup provided. 8. Anyone in possession of or consuming alcoholic beverages must produce a valid ID to police when requested. 9. No alcohol may be carried into or out of the tailgating area. 10. A limited number of first-come, first-served parking spots at the back of the Plains Rd. tailgating area will be held for RV's and motor homes. 11. Parking attendants are on duty to assist in maintaining orderly traffic flow and parking arrangement. Please park where they direct you. You may not "save" spots. Vehicles are not allowed to block travel lanes. 12. Charcoal grills and open pit fires are prohibited - Gas Grills only at the rear of your vehicle are permitted. 13. Drinking games (included but not limited to beer pong), and the use of devices intended to accelerate the consumption of alcohol (including but not limited to funnels or beer bongs) are prohibited. 5
14. Anyone who violates these regulations will be asked to leave the tailgating area immediately or is subject to arrest. 15. Visibly intoxicated individuals will not be allowed into the tailgate area POLICE AND STAFF ARE ASSIGNED TO THESE AREAS AND WILL ENFORCE ALL POLICIES AND LAWS. PLEASE APPROACH THEM IN CASE OF A PROBLEM OR EMERGENCY. WE ASK FOR YOUR COOPERATION IN ADHERING TO THESE POLICIES. 6
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Tailgating at URI Football Games 1. Open containers of alcohol on Rhode Island state property is illegal. How is tailgating on the Kingston campus allowable by state law? Since the donor-based tailgating areas the Ellery Pond and Ram Lots - require a parking pass for entry, it is considered a controlled area. The general public tailgating lot on Plains Road is also a controlled area, due to the parking fee. 2. Why did URI's tailgating policy change after 15 years of not allowing alcohol? After numerous discussions with various departments and constituencies on campus, as well as local and state law enforcement agencies, the athletics department decided to move forward regarding allowing alcohol in a controlled tailgate area to enhance the overall college football game day experience. 3. How will URI s tailgating policies and regulations help to prevent underage drinking in the lots? The legal drinking age in the state of Rhode Island is 21. By using a licensed vendor and having law enforcement personnel on patrol, the goal is to prevent any underage drinking in the tailgating lots. 4. What time will the tailgating parking lots open? Fans will have vehicle access to the public and donor tailgating areas three (3) hours prior to the start of the game. 5. What time will the tailgating parking lots close? All tailgating parking lots will close 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start to the game. Tailgating will not be allowed during the game. The lots will close 60 minutes after the conclusion of the game. 6. What is the policy on the transportation, possession and consumption of alcohol inside the tailgating areas? The legal age for possession and consumption of alcohol in the state of Rhode Island is 21. In the donor tailgating areas the Ellery Pond and Ram Lot, and the Plains Rd Lots fans may provide their own alcohol. 7. What is the policy on gas or charcoal grills inside the tailgating areas? Gas grills will be allowed in all tailgating areas. Charcoal grills and open fire pits will not be allowed in the Plains Road tailgating area, due to environmental regulations. 8. Will there be rest rooms and similar facilities available to tailgaters? Yes, there will be portable rest rooms located in the tailgating area. Additionally, facilities in the Thomas M. Ryan Center and Meade Stadium will be available to game ticket holders one (1) hour before kickoff. 9. Will there be any vehicle restrictions? Yes, motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, and large flat-bed or box trucks will not be allowed in the tailgate areas. There will be a limited number of spots for RV s and motor homes near the back of the Plains Road lot. These spots will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. 10. What are the penalties for violation of the URI tailgating policies and/or state laws? Patrons in violation of policies will be removed from the tailgating area and escorted off campus. Patrons in violation of state law will be subject to summons and/or arrest and prosecution. URI students who violate any policies or laws are also subject to penalties set forth in the University s Code of Conduct.. 7