Tennessee football fans are being reminded to be good sports at Saturday’s UT-Florida game at Neyland Stadium.
In newspaper advertisements, UT officials are telling fans to remember the great tradition of sportsmanship for which Volunteer fans are known.
“When Florida arrives at Neyland Stadium the night of Sept. 18, we ask that fans act responsibly and courteously to those around them,” Athletics Director Mike Hamilton and Philip Scheurer, vice president for operations, say in the open letter to Vol fans.
“Abusive language and disorderly conduct have always been unacceptable and unwelcome in and around Neyland Stadium.”
The game will be nationally televised on CBS, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m.
As in the past three seasons, large items including backpacks are prohibited in the stadium. No items can be stored at any stadium gate.
Umbrellas are allowed inside the gates but cannot be opened in the concourse area or stands, Scheurer said. Current weather forecasts hold the possibility of East Tennessee receiving heavy rain Saturday from the remnants of Hurricane Ivan.
Due to the threat of inclement weather, fans are urged to arrive early.
Headset radios and small cameras are permitted in the stadium, but all items, including purses, are subject to being searched, Scheurer said.
The players’ Vol Walk from Gibbs Hall to the stadium will begin at 5:45 p.m. The Pride of the Southland Band’s march down Volunteer Boulevard will commence from the Music Building at 6:20 p.m.
Solicitation near stadium gates and along Phillip Fulmer Way will be prohibited.
Fulmer Way from Middle Drive to Tee Martin Drive, Peyton Manning Pass, Middle and Lower drives and Estabrook Drive will be closed 30 minutes before kickoff. Directional parking will be used in Area 9 and Lot 5.
The university will again maintain a no-flyover zone over the stadium. For one hour before and until one hour after conclusion of the game, aircraft are prohibited within a three-nautical-mile radius and 3,000 feet above Neyland Stadium, except as authorized by air traffic control.