ESPN’s College GameDay is headed for Rocky Top and will broadcast the popular pre-game show from 9:00 a.m. to noon Saturday, September 24, at Ayres Hall.
Setup will begin on campus Wednesday afternoon. ESPN will be sharing the excitement on campus leading up to the Vols’ first SEC game of the season. The Vols play the Florida Gators at 3:30 p.m. in Neyland Stadium.
“We are excited to welcome College GameDay to Rocky Top. I know that our students and all Vols fans look forward to sharing our Big Orange spirit with the nation,” said Melissa Shivers, associate vice chancellor and dean of students.
The pit positioned behind the ESPN stage will open at 6:00 a.m. Saturday prior to the live 9:00 a.m. College GameDay broadcast. The line for fans who want to be in the pit as part of the show’s live audience will form on the west side of Ayres Hall between Austin Peay and Hesler Biology Buildings. Austin Peay will be open at 5:30 a.m. Saturday to accommodate use of elevators to access the Hill.
- Beginning Wednesday morning, access to Circle Drive from Cumberland Avenue will be limited to handicapped parking access and production-related traffic.
- Parking on the Hill next to the Ayres Hall lawn will be closed Wednesday through Friday. Temporary handicapped parking will be located on Circle Drive near Dabney-Buehler Hall and in the Perkins Hall lot, which can be accessed from Middle Drive.
- The T transit system will continue to operate along Circle Drive.
Several vendor tents—including Coca Cola—will open Friday afternoon. ESPN will broadcast College Football Live from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. from the ESPN stage on Ayres lawn. Spectators are encouraged to attend the live Friday show.