UT home opener greets fans with new rules, extra security

Fans heading to the University of Tennessee home football opener Saturday against Southern Mississippi will need to take some notes.

First, kickoff is at 7 p.m., so you need to leave early enough to negotiate road construction and find a parking place.

Second, a new state law prohibits smoking anywhere inside Neyland Stadium. And you cannot leave, burn one and expect to get back into the stadium.

Third, enhanced security means everything, including purses, is subject to a search.

Among trouble traffic areas is James White Parkway, which connects Interstate 40 to Neyland Drive. It’s closed. Fans should use Hall of Fame Drive, which connects to Neyland Drive, as a detour.

The stadium opens two hours before kickoff, so fans have plenty of time to arrive early.

Only fans with permits can park on campus. UT encourages fans to use shuttle buses from the Knoxville Civic Coliseum and the UT Agriculture Campus.

Other areas affecting traffic include:

--Peyton Manning Pass, Middle and Lower drives, Estabrook Drive and Phillip Fulmer Way from Middle Drive to Tee Martin Drive will be closed 30 minutes before kickoff. Directional parking will be used in Area 9 and Lots 4, 5A and 5B.

--With the renovation of the Glocker Business Administration Building, traffic on Andy Holt Avenue has been designated one-way westbound.

--Sidewalks on the north side of Andy Holt Avenue and the east side of Volunteer Boulevard at Glocker have been closed. Also the sidewalk is closed on the east side of Lake Loudoun Boulevard at the corner of Neyland Drive due to the Pratt Pavilion construction beside Thompson-Boling Arena.

UT reminds visitors that all items, including purses, are subject to search at the gates. Certain items remain prohibited inside the stadium, and those items cannot be stored at any stadium gate.

Prohibited items include the following:

--Alcoholic beverages, cans, bottles or coolers

--Radios without headphones

--Open umbrellas

--Video cameras

--Stadium seats with arms

--Large bags or parcels, including backpacks and large purses

--Weapons of any kind, including pocket knives

Fans are allowed to bring the following items inside the stadium:

--Cushions and seats without arms

--Diaper bags that accompany infants

--Small cameras, pagers, cell phones and binoculars

The traditional Vol Walk from Gibbs Hall to the stadium starts at 4:45 p.m., and the Pride of the Southland marching band leaves the music building at 5:20 p.m.

A no-fly zone will extend over the stadium from one hour before the game until one hour after it ends, prohibiting flights within a 3-nautical-mile radius and lower than 3,000-feet altitude, except as authorized by air traffic control.

More details as they develop online and in Wednesday’s News Sentinel.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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