Mizzou Fan Primer: Homecoming

No. 5 Tigers host No. 20 Gamecocks for Homecoming on Saturday

COLUMBIA, Mo. – No. 5 Mizzou Football is set to take its undefeated 7-0 record up against No. 20 South Carolina (5-2) in the University of Missouri’s 102nd celebration of Homecoming, kicking off at 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26, from Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium. The Southeastern Conference matchup will be televised on ESPN2. The best source for updated game day information, including maps, traffic flow, parking, tailgating information and much more is mizzougameday.com.

HOMECOMING – The 102nd Homecoming at Mizzou brings more fans and more excitement to Columbia and Memorial Stadium. Help set “The Black & Gold Standard” by taking part in the many festivities in and around campus. The morning of game day, be sure to head downtown for the annual Homecoming Parade, which begins at 9 a.m. Find out more at Mizzou.com/Homecoming.

ARRIVE EARLY – Due to the large crowd that is always expected and the additional fans in town for Mizzou’s 102nd Homecoming, fans are encouraged to arrive early and make plans to enter the stadium early. Long lines can form outside of the stadium just before kickoff, and with security checks of bags, it can take a while to get into the stadium. The stadium gates will open at 4:30 p.m.

TIGER WALK – Approximately two hours and 15 minutes prior to kickoff (4:15 p.m. this Saturday), the Mizzou team will arrive via bus at the Mizzou Athletics Training Complex (MATC). Don’t miss the opportunity to join in on this game day tradition that has become a fan favorite. Join hundreds of Tiger fans and welcome the team and coaches as they cross the Tiger Walk Bridge, spanning Providence Road, and walk down behind the stadium to their locker room.

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE – A limited number of reserved seats for the Tigers’ matchup with the Gamecocks remain, with the tickets available for $75. Orders can be made via phone at 1-800-CAT-PAWS, online at mutigers.com, or in person at the Mizzou Arena Ticket Office. The Memorial Stadium and Mizzou Arena ticket offices will open at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

MIZZOU WRESTLING – Mizzou Wrestling will be hosting its Black and Gold Match and Conference Ring Ceremony at the Hearnes Center, on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. Admission is FREE. Fans should take note that parking is only available in campus garages and elsewhere, as the lots around the Hearnes Center will already be open for football parking. The first 500 fans will receive a limited edition poster featuring past Tiger wrestlers. Join us in the Hearnes Center Fieldhouse after the match for an autograph session with current and alumni wrestlers.

PARKING INFORMATION – All parking lots will open at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Tailgating tents should not exceed 10’x10′ and may not be set up prior to Saturday when the parking lots open. Fans are reminded that fire pits are prohibited in parking areas.

Separately, Truman’s Landing will open at 6 p.m. on Friday evening; with RV staging beginning at 2 p.m. Fans are not permitted to setup at Truman’s Landing before the lot opens at 6 p.m.

Fans can park in any general public lots, which include a small lot to the immediate south of Truman’s Landing on Research Park Drive, as well as in the Dalton Parking Lot located to the north of Truman’s Landing on Research Park Drive. The Tiger Ave. Garage and Parking Structure #7 are also available during any home game this season on a first come, first served for a fee of $25. Complete parking information is available in detail at mizzougameday.com.

NEW SPEAKERS – New speakers have been added in the area immediately behind the south end zone. The intention of these speakers is to enhance the student-athletes’ on-field experience. These speakers will be used both pre-game and in-game. Pre-game, the speakers will play music used by the Mizzou Football program during its warm-up period. In-game, these speakers will amplify the band. During the pre-game portion, these speakers will be playing different elements than the main sound system located in the north video board, possibly causing interference.

TIGER TAILGATE RADIO SHOW FROM THE HEARNES CENTER’S WEST LAWN – The Tiger Tailgate Radio Show, presented by St. Louis RV, on the Mizzou Radio Network is every Tiger fan’s chance to get ready for the game, with each hour-long show beginning two hours prior to home kickoffs (4 p.m. on Saturday). Hosted by Brad Tregnago, weekly appearances are made by Voice of the Tigers Mike Kelly and broadcast partner Howard Richards, as well as other Mizzou personalities. Broadcast from the Hearnes Center’s west lawn, fans can get in on the action with prize giveaways each week.

MIZZOU EXPERIENCE AND KIDS CARNIVAL – Fans and children can take part in the Mizzou Experience and Kids Carnival prior to kickoff (3 p.m.-6 p.m.) inside the Hearnes Center Fieldhouse. The event includes an inflatable bounce house, face painting and balloon artists. A big-screen TV will be on hand to help attendees keep track of other games around the country!

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES – Due to ongoing construction on Memorial Stadium’s east side, Mizzou fans are asked to pay careful attention to added signage and directions posted throughout the facility. Continue to visit @mizzougameday on football game days for additional updates on the east side construction.

East Ramp Closed: The ramp which allowed movement between the south side and east side of the stadium has been closed. A temporary stairwell has been constructed to provide access directly south of the previous stairwell near Gate 6E and Mick Deaver.

Gate 2E: In an effort to assist guests who access the east side of the stadium, this gate has been temporarily expanded for the 2013 season. When approaching the stadium from the east side, please follow any directional signage in order to expedite entry into the stadium. Please plan on allowing extra time for entering the stadium from the east side.

Gates 3E, 4E, 5E and 6E: These gates will all remain open during construction and will remain the designated entry point for students. When approaching the stadium from the east side, please follow any directional signage in order to expedite entry into the stadium. Please plan on allowing extra time for entering the stadium from the east side.

MIZZOU STATS APPLICATION – A new, free, in-game statistical distribution system is in place for Mizzou fans during home events. MizzouStats.com can be accessed from desktop and mobile devices, with the mobile website available to most smart phones and tablets (Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, etc.). The TapStats mobile application used in previous years on iOS devices will no longer be in service.

MIZZOUGAMEDAY.COM – Fans can get all of the information they need to attend a Tiger Football game at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium by going to the new and improved mizzougameday.com. Everything from parking and tailgating information to maps and Mizzou traditions can be found in that one convenient location. Follow us on Twitter @mizzougameday for up to the minute parking, traffic and game day information.

WEAR GOLD – All fans are encouraged to wear gold to all of the Tigers’ games, with the exception of the annual Blackout game. The Tiger Team Store, located on the North concourse of Memorial Stadium, has plenty of gold-colored merchandise on sale, with the store opening at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Additionally, the Tiger Team Store located in the lobby of Mizzou Arena will be open on Saturday from 1 p.m. until kickoff. Temporary Tiger Team Store locations will also be available near Lot TQBC, Lot M and Lot X (open at 1 p.m.) on game day.

PASS OUTS – This is a reminder that there are NO pass outs at Mizzou football games. For many years our fans have had the chance to enter the stadium for the start of the game, exit at some point and re-enter. That no longer became a possibility last season, per SEC policy, and will continue for 2013 and going forward. We know this will continue to be an adjustment for some of you, and we appreciate your understanding.

SMOKING POLICY – As of July 1, 2013, the University of Missouri has become a smoke-free campus. In order to promote an enjoyable game day experience for everyone, smoking is not permitted in Memorial Stadium or in the surrounding parking lots. For more information you can visit smokefree.missouri.edu.

BE LOUD, BE RESPECTFUL, BE RESPONSIBLE – Fans make a difference for the team when they’re loud. Along with that, fans are always expected to be respectful of those around them and to be responsible with their actions.

GAME DAY TEXTING SYSTEM – Fans who have an issue or concern within Memorial Stadium on game day are encouraged to utilize the game day text messaging system. By texting “MIZFAN (space) issue and location” to 345678, the appropriate personnel will be dispatched to aid in resolving the issue in a timely manner. The system is primarily for facility, security or medical issues. Standard text messaging rates apply.

MIZZOU FAN FEEDBACK FORUM – Have a question about Mizzou Athletics, or an opinion to share about an experience at a Tiger home game? Fans are invited to share these with the Athletic Department by visiting mutigers.com, and clicking on the “Fan Forum Feedback” button, located on the front page, to let us know what you think. You may also email any comments or questions to fanfeedback@missouri.edu. After each game the most common fan questions are noted and addressed.

FOLLOW MIZZOU ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER – Fans can share their experience, including photos and video, of their day at the game on Mizzou’s page on Facebook. For more frequent updates, including text messages to your phone, fans can follow the Tigers on Twitter.

MIZZOU PRIDE POINTS – Remember our Pride Points that encompass all of the above:

Wear Gold

Be Responsible

Arrive Early/Stay Late – Support Mizzou by cheering until the final whistle!

Celebrate our Traditions

Respect the Game