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University, fans prepare for rare night game

October 8, 2003 By John Lucas

UW–Madison is preparing for Saturday’s rare, nationally televised night game against Ohio State University by reminding Badger fans to include safety in their game-day plans.

“I will be rooting like crazy for a Badger victory,” says Dean of Students Luoluo Hong. “I also hope – as always – that game day ends up being a fun but safe experience for our students and all our fans.”

“Because this is the first home game this season against a Big Ten team, this is our chance to really live up to the enthusiasm and positive energy for which Badger fans are renowned,” she adds. “Victory or loss, I know we will respond with enthusiasm and class.”

The last Badger football night game took place against Fresno State last season. However, there have only been three such games in the last 10 years.

Because night games are infrequent, UW Police Captain Glen Miller says students and visitors need to be patient and allow extra time to get to Camp Randall Stadium and into their seats ahead of the 8 p.m. kickoff.

All traffic and game-day access patterns will remain the same as other games during the 2003 season, with gates opening 90 minutes before kickoff.

Other important night game information and safety tips for fans are:

  • It will be dark when entering and leaving the game. Attend the game with a group of friends and don’t walk alone through unlit areas. Look out for your friends and fellow students. Honor everyone’s right to enjoy the game.
  • Visibly intoxicated individuals will not be admitted into Camp Randall.
  • Hong and other members of the Dean of Students staff plan to walk through student neighborhoods before the game and be available in the student sections during the game for anyone who needs assistance.
  • The game is likely to end after 11:30 p.m. Fans leaving the stadium should celebrate with respect for the hour and surrounding neighborhoods.
  • Madison and UW–Madison police will be patrolling the campus both before and after the game, keeping an eye out for house parties operating as unlicensed taverns. Police also will be watching for disruptive tailgate parties. Download a PDF copy of the student-written PACE guide on throwing a safer house party.
  • Additional game-day activities can be found at http://www.union.wisc.edu or by calling the “Fashionably Late” hotline at (608) 265-0505.
  • There are a variety of transportation services available to students, including the campus bus (Safe Bus), or SafeWalk/SafeRide at (608) 262-5000.
  • In addition to Bucky Bus Shuttles, extra fixed-route Metro buses will be boarding on Regent Street, near Camp Randall, after the game. Buses will generally follow Route 6 service both east and west towards East Towne and West Towne Malls. Call (608) 266-4466 for more information.
  • If driving home after the game, remember that drinking and driving is against the law. A new law lowering Wisconsin’s legal blood-alcohol content (BAC) to .08 went into effect last week.

For more information on game-day safety, call Miller at (608) 265-4541.