The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, welcomes fans to campus Thursday, September 2, for the football game against Bowling Green State University. This is UT’s first home football game of the 2021 season.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. EDT in Neyland Stadium. Gates open at 6 p.m. The SEC Network will televise the game. Fans are encouraged to visit utsports.com/gameday/football or follow @UTGameday on Twitter for the latest updates on game information.
Fans with digital tickets are strongly encouraged to download them to their mobile devices before arriving on campus. Those with parking permits either printed or mobile are asked to have their permits ready to display upon entry into parking lots.
At the conclusion of Thursday’s national anthem, three UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from the Army Aviation Support Facility at McGhee Tyson Airport will conduct a flyover of the stadium.
Four Trailblazers to be Honored
Before the game, as a kickoff to Neyland Stadium’s yearlong centennial celebration, UT will unveil four larger-than-life bronze statues commemorating Volunteer trailblazers Condredge Holloway, Tee Martin, Lester McClain, and Jackie Walker in the plaza outside Gate 21.
“It’s an honor for this university to be able to permanently recognize the impact of these men in such a powerful way,” Director of Athletics Danny White said in an earlier announcement. “We are proud of what their names represent, and I believe this is a fitting tribute. They carried themselves with strength and grace as they led the way for so many others. I love that our football student–athletes will pass by this installation during every Vol Walk. I hope it serves as a reminder of those who came before them and paved the way for progress.”
Due to space limitations, attendance at the ceremony will be limited. The general public is encouraged to watch the ceremony virtually at 10 a.m. via the livestream on utsports.com or YouTube.
Timeline of the Day’s Events
- Parking lots will open at 3 p.m. For more information, visit the Parking and Transit Services game day webpage. Fans are encouraged to exercise patience when arriving on campus as they may encounter outbound traffic from staff and students departing campus.
- Fans can stop by the new “Truly’s Tailgate,” located outside Gate 9, for food and drinks beginning at 4 p.m. Truly’s will stay open through the end of the third quarter, giving fans in the south concourse a variety of food, drinks, and additional restroom options.
- For personal tailgates, fans will be allowed to bring a tent as large as 10 feet by 10 feet for their group. Tents must not block parking spaces or vehicle traffic within a parking area.
- The Toyota Volunteer Village, located in the Humanities Plaza, will offer activities for fans attending the game starting at 4:30 p.m.
- The fan favorite Vol Walk will begin at 5:45 p.m., with the Pride of the Southland Band march scheduled for 6:20 p.m. In the interest of health and safety, fans are asked to remain on the sidewalks along Peyton Manning Pass and Phillip Fulmer Way and refrain from hugs, high-fives, and handshakes during the Vol Walk.
- The Kickoff Call-in Show will be on the broadcast stage near the Gate 21 Plaza, available for listeners via the Vol Radio Network starting at 6:30 p.m.
Head Coach Josh Heupel addresses the Volunteers.
Game Day Safety Measures
- A limited number of boat mooring spaces will be available at the Volunteer Landing and Vol Navy docks. Shuttles will not be available.
- Though not required for entry to Neyland Stadium or movement throughout the seating bowl, facial coverings are encouraged for stadium patrons on game day. Masks are required on the shuttle buses.
- Fans can bring into the stadium one unopened factory-sealed clear water bottle and one empty clear water bottle per person.
- Stadium staff will perform a self-screening for COVID-19 before entering the stadium.
- Fans are asked to perform a health self-screen and stay home if they feel sick or may have been exposed to COVID-19. The same policies apply to fans sitting in the student section of the stadium.
- Medical bag checkpoints will be at Gates 14 and 21.
- As required by the SEC, fans are allowed to bring to the stadium one clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a one-gallon clear resealable plastic storage bag. They also will be allowed a small clutch purse not to exceed 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches.
- Fans interested in purchasing an approved clear bag can visit the Official Team Store at Neyland Stadium; VolShop locations in the Student Union, at the corner of Cumberland Avenue and 17th Street, and in University Commons; and other area retailers.
- No other bags will be allowed inside the stadium. All items are subject to search at the gates.
- For more information, see the clear bag policy.
- Smoking is prohibited at UT, including within private vehicles parked or operated on university property. The prohibition extends to any lighted tobacco, electronic cigarettes, and other vape devices.
- Anyone attempting to enter the stadium with alcohol will be denied entry.
- Policy states that unmanned aircraft systems are prohibited on university property within four hours prior to the scheduled kickoff time of a football game, during the game, or within two hours after the conclusion of the game.
- If media have more specific questions about game day security and safety, UT Police Department Chief Troy Lane and Associate Athletics Director David Elliott will be available at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 27, at the UTPD, 1101 Cumberland Avenue.
Other prohibited items:
- Artificial noisemakers
- Open umbrellas
- Outside food, snacks, and beverages
- Radios without headphones
- Video cameras, professional cameras, and cameras with detachable lenses
- Stadium seats with arms or side pockets
- Selfie sticks
- Weapons of any kind, including pocket knives
No items can be stored or left at the gates. Fans can bring the following items inside the stadium, subject to search at the gates:
- Cushions or seats without arms or side pockets
- Small cameras, binoculars, and mobile phones
- Small bags with medically necessary items (Note: Diapers and non-medically necessary items for babies and young children must be carried in a clear bag.)
Suspicious activity can be reported to the UT Police Department at 865-974-3114.
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CONTACT:
Brooks Clark (865-974-5471, nclark5@utk.edu)
Tom Satkowiak (865-974-7501, tomsid@tennessee.edu)