Tailgate rules, tattle texts and TV for Oregon games

By KVAL.com staff Published: Sep 11, 2009 at 8:32 PM PDT Last Updated: Sep 19, 2009 at 5:12 PM PDT

EUGENE, Ore. -- With some 50,000 fans focused on Autzen Stadium in Eugene for the Oregon-Purdue game Saturday, and more expected in games later this season, there are a few things you need to know.

Tailgating rules are getting stricter -- and police plan to crackdown and enforce the law.

You can now report rowdy fans to security via text message.

And traffic is going to be a bear.

Fans looking for the Purdue/Oregon game on television Saturday will have to do some channel surfing.

Due to a conflict with the Mariners/Rangers game which starts at 5 p.m. PDT, the Ducks' game -- which was supposed to air on Fox Sports Net -- will air in its entirety on Fox College Sports via Comcast cable channel 415 beginning at 7 p.m.

Once the Mariners' game concludes, the Purdue/Oregon game will be shown on Fox Sports Net cable channel 34.

Tailgating limited to 4 hours before game

In 2007 the City of Eugene's ordinance concerning consumption or possession of alcohol in public places went into effect and the Eugene Police Department began the first phase of implementing the new rules - educating and advising the tailgating public about the newly redefined boundaries and rules. Last year, Eugene Police began the second phase: enforcement of the ordinance which will continue from this point forward.

To ensure the public in and around Autzen stadium can more fully enjoy collegiate home game days, here is a summary of the rules that will be enforced beginning Sept. 12, 2009.

Malt beverages and alcoholic liquors may be consumed four hours before the start of a scheduled collegiate football game at Autzen Stadium and up until the game is completed in the state owned parking lots immediately adjacent to Autzen Stadium and on property extended for use as a parking facility.

Privately owned parking areas must be within the boundaries designated by the ordinance and the owner/operator must have applied for and been granted an exemption by the City.

Within the boundaries, each property owner or the person with authority over parking operations must post signs and distribute handbills letting those on the property know:

It is illegal to consume alcoholic liquor or possess an open alcoholic beverage container in a public place or on private property extended to the public for use
An exemption is provided for the consumption of alcoholic beverages on this property during the time period commencing four hours before the start of a scheduled collegiate football game at Autzen Stadium and ending when the game is completed
The exemption applies only to the parking area on this property
Providing alcohol to minors and consumption of alcohol by minors is prohibited
The sale of alcohol is prohibited
Disorderly conduct will not be tolerated and
Persons violating the law or creating a nuisance are subject to eviction and loss of parking privileges pursuant to the authority of the property owner or parking lot operator.

The property owner or operator must apply for an exemption using a form developed by the City and these exemptions are not transferable. They must also post handbills and signs according to specifications contained within the ordinance.

If the responsible person fails to request an exemption and allows drinking or fails to post signs and distribute handbills according to the ordinance, they can be fined $200 for the first offense, and $500 for subsequent offenses. If the responsible party has three violations within a 12 month period, they may have their exemption revoked for a year.

Please note: the public consumption of alcohol outside the boundaries created by the ordinance remains illegal.

Parking lot owners or operators who post signs prohibiting tailgating on their property are still responsible for tailgating that occurs on the property. Regular laws apply to the areas within the boundaries, just as they apply to other parts of the city: underage drinking is prohibited, as is disorderly conduct, illegal burning (bon fires between cars, etc.), and other unlawful behavior.

TV | Tailgating | Traffic | Cell Service | Tattle Texts | Free Admission

This is a press release courtesy of Verizon Wireless

Verizon rigs up temporary cell tower for game

Verizon Wireless is helping University of Oregon fans “make the call,” send text, picture and email messages, check other games on the Internet and watch video clips during this season’s football games at Autzen Stadium, including during tomorrow’s game.

With more than 50,000 football fans expected for the Purdue game, the company has set up a portable cell site dubbed COLT nearby to enable the surge of connections during the event.

The temporary site at Autzen Stadium can process thousands of calls every hour, equivalent to the highest capacity stationary site presently in the Verizon Wireless network.

COLT Facts and Figures

The temporary site at Autzen Stadium can process thousands of calls every hour, equivalent to the highest capacity stationary site presently in the Verizon Wireless network.

The truck is specially equipped with $500,000 in sophisticated mobile equipment.

Rapid deployment COLTs based in Oregon are also used in emergency situations and can begin processing calls within hours of arriving at a wildfire or disaster site.

The COLT’s microwave antenna, used for linking our network components, is the calling equivalent of 672 landline phone lines. Its reach spans as many as 20 miles, depending on terrain.

The 60 kilowatt emergency power generator that powers the temporary cell site could meet the electrical usage of two average homes. The generator can run for approximately 24 hours before refueling.

The 25,000 lb. vehicle features both a 30- and 60-ft. retractable mast. The vehicle is also equipped with a small office. And, since Verizon Wireless has to be prepared that no community resources will be available in the event of emergency, the vehicle is fully self-contained with equipment, fuel, electrical generators, food, water, cots, etc.

Game day traffic requires planning, patience

The Eugene Police Traffic Enforcement Unit would like your game day commute to go as smooth as possible. By following these suggestions you can reduce your commute time, ease congestion around Autzen Stadium, and reduce the risk of traffic crashes.

Ride the Bus - Lane Transit District offers several convenient park and ride locations throughout Eugene/Springfield at an affordable price. LTD buses are given priority into and out of the area of Autzen Stadium on game days which greatly minimizes travel time for fans.
Have a Plan - Fans coming to the game should pre-plan their travel routes and where they will park once they arrive. Normal traffic patterns around Autzen Stadium are dramatically changed on game days and will limit your ability to drive freely through the area.
Obey the Law - It's vital that fans observe basic traffic laws when commuting to and from the game. The traffic cone patterns around the area of Autzen Stadium on games days are considered traffic control devices and cannot be arbitrarily disregarded. Failure to obey these cones patterns or the officers who are directing traffic, may lead to a $237.00 citation.
Be Patient - On game days, approximately 60,000 people come to the area near Autzen Stadium. Trying to get that many people into and out of the area is a huge undertaking and takes time. By allowing plenty of travel time and expecting some delays you will improve your overall game day experience.
Don't Drink and Drive!!! - Local law enforcement agencies want football fans to enjoy themselves but to do so responsibly. By not drinking excessively and designating sober drivers, fans can help prevent tragedies from occurring.

Tattle texts? Report rowdy fans to security via phone

For the fourth consecutive year, the University of Oregon will continue its educational campaign designed to encourage spectators to exhibit exemplary behavior at each of the Ducks’ seven home football games this fall.

The “Code of ConDUCKt” strives to promote good sportsmanship among fans in and around Autzen Stadium. In addition to information, directions and reminders that favorable behavior enhances the game-day experience for everyone in attendance, the university will continue to encourage fans to immediately contact security personnel to report unwanted behavior.

New this year is a system that allows spectators to text security personnel to report unsportsmanlike behavior rather than make a phone call.

Spectators are encouraged to text the ConDUCKt hotline at 541-222-9121 to report any violations of stadium guidelines to event staff, with spectators asked to include their seat location as well as their concern. The hotline will be active 90 minutes prior to kickoff of each home football game and remain open until approximately 30 following its conclusion.

Once again, bags and backpacks will be permitted into Autzen Stadium upon inspection by security personnel at points of entry. Factory sealed non-alcoholic beverages and empty plastic containers also will be allowed into the stadium. However partially filled plastic containers and vacuum or insulated containers (i.e. thermoses) will not be permitted into the stadium. Patrons will be asked to empty the contents of non-sealed containers before entry into Autzen Stadium is allowed.

Kickoff for the Ducks’ home opener is 7:23 p.m. Saturday as Oregon hosts Purdue in a contest to be nationally televised by Fox Sports Net.

The Code of ConDUCKt requests fans to refrain from disruptive behavior, including foul language and obscene gestures; to sit only in their ticketed seats; and to comply with requests from event staff.

Spectators who refuse to abide by the behavior guidelines, including irresponsible behavior resulting from irresponsible consumption of alcohol, are subject to removal from the stadium, as well as the revocation of season tickets and/or the right to purchase single-game tickets to future University of Oregon events.

Free admission to UO museums on game day

University of Oregon Ducks fans, visitors and the community receive free admission the weekends of September 12-13; September 18-20; Sept. 26-27; Oct. 3-4; Oct. 31-Nov. 1; and Nov. 14-15, 2009. Free admission will also be provided for the annual Civil War game on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009.

The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art features collection galleries devoted to Orthodox icons and art from America, China, Japan, Korea, and elsewhere. On view through September 13 is “On the Road: Two Visions of the Tokaido,” an exhibition featuring a 110 woodblock prints from Japanese artists Ando Hiroshige’s (1795-1858) and Jun’ichiro Sekino (1914-1988). “Korean Funerary Figures: Companions for the Journey to the Other World,” is on view through October 4 in the Focus Gallery.

Opening Sept. 26 in the Coeta and Donald Barker Gallery is “Faster Than a Speeding Bullet: The Art of the Superhero,” which maps the path of the American superhero through a history of comics. A complementary exhibition, “Superheroes in Japan: Nineteenth Century Ukiyo-e,” compares the techniques and ideas in Eastern and Western art, is on view in the Preble/Murphy Gallery.

The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is at 1430 Johnson Lane, in the heart of campus. For more information, call (541) 346-3027 or visit its Web site at http://jsma.uoregon.edu.

The Museum of Natural and Cultural History offers visitors of all ages the opportunity to learn about the history of Oregon and cultures around the world. In their permanent exhibition, “Oregon - Where Past is Present,” visitors can marvel at 15,000 years of Pacific Northwest natural and cultural history.

Guests can experience music and learn how instruments are made and used in different cultures by visiting the special exhibition, “World Harmony – Musical Instruments from Around the Globe.” Also on display in the Northwest Artist Gallery find “Coastal Lights – Photographs by Bob Sanov,” and the new public galleria offers Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Brian Lanker’s exhibit, “Shall We Dance?” which explores dance from the beauty of classical ballet to the vivacity of salsa.

The Museum of Natural and Cultural History is at 1680 E. 15th Ave. across from Hayward Field. For more information call (541) 346-3024 or visit its Web site at http://natural-history.uoregon.edu.

Tailgate rules, tattle texts and TV for Oregon games

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