The Vanderbilt football team will open its 2013 season on Thursday, Aug. 29, with a nationally televised game on ESPN against SEC rival Ole Miss. Kickoff for the game is scheduled for 8:15 p.m.
The game will provide a great opportunity for the university to gain national attention and a chance to showcase the excitement surrounding Vanderbilt football and the university as a whole.
Please note: During the game, Vanderbilt staff photographers will take an aerial photo of the stadium from a helicopter between 8:45 and 9 p.m.
With the game being played on a workday, some adjustments in parking and traffic flow are being made to accommodate the influx of fans to campus, while hopefully limiting the impact to university and medical center personnel.
For this year’s game, N Lot (shuttle) parking will not be affected until 5 p.m. Aug. 29 due to the game’s evening start time. There will be no need to utilize shuttles for alternate parking.
Among the changes:
- Jess Neely Drive will be closed from Natchez Trace to 25th Avenue beginning at noon on Thursday, Aug. 29.
- Natchez Trace will be closed from Children’s Way to Kensington Place beginning at noon on Thursday, Aug. 29.
- Medical center staff members whose vehicles normally remain in the N Lot after 5 p.m. will be asked to park in alternate locations on Aug. 29. These parkers will receive specific information about their parking alternatives prior to game day.
- Those who park in the 25th Avenue Garage may park there as usual but should be aware that between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. the garage and surrounding streets will be congested with people coming to campus for the game.
- Parking lots 29B, 64, 71, 72A, 72B, 73 and 73A will be closed on the day of the game, Aug. 29, to accommodate necessary game preparations. These lots will be marked with appropriate signage three days in advance so that alternative parking arrangements can be made.
“We appreciate the patience and understanding of those who may be inconvenienced by the parking changes on Aug. 29,” said Brock Williams, assistant vice chancellor and director of sports operations. “We are working hard to make sure that the impact of this nationally televised football game on the daily business of the university and medical center is kept to a minimum.”