Aug. 31, 2012

FORT COLLINS, Colo.– Colorado State University, under new coach Jim McElwain, opens a Bold New Era on the football field Saturday, Sept. 1 in the season opener against in-state rival Colorado.

But the Bold New Era won’t just be on the field.

CSU Director of Athletics Jack Graham today announced a series of changes to enhance the game day experience for fans attending the six home games at Hughes Stadium, beginning Saturday, Sept. 8.

“Our goal is to create a memorable experience for our fans from the time they arrive on a Saturday morning until they leave after a victory that night,” said director of athletics Jack Graham. “One of the great traditions in college sports is a football Saturday, and we want ours at Hughes Stadium to be filled with the type of pageantry befitting a university of excellence like Colorado State.”

Graham and athletics department staff worked in collaboration with various campus groups and departments to create and implement a plan designed not only to engage more fans in support of the football team, but also to provide fans a total game-day experience from the time they arrive in the parking lots until the game’s final gun sounds.

Highlights of the changes include a revamped Ram Town, an expanded “Ram Walk,” an exciting new team entrance and an earlier opening of stadium parking lots to give fans more time to enjoy the game-day experience.

“Early Entry” Parking Lots
To better accommodate pregame entertainment and give fans more time to enjoy the game-day experience, selected parking lots will open at 10 a.m.

Admission for this early entry between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. is $25, plus the single-game parking fee of $10. However, as a benefit to Ram Club members, the $25 admission charge is waived for all members who display a valid membership card.
• Ram Club members with a membership card and parking pass will be admitted free of charge.
• Ram Club members with a membership card, but no parking pass, will pay just the $10 parking fee.
• Early Entry parking will be available through Gates 2 and 5.

Revamped Ram Town opens at 2 p.m.
Ram Town, the school’s free fan experience area that includes inflatable activities for youths and corporate and private tailgate areas, has undergone changes to provide even more space for pregame activities. The inflatables have been shifted to open up the large grassy area for fans to congregate and enjoy a picnic, listen to the band and take in the pregame atmosphere.

New this year is an expanded “Ram Walk” that begins north of the stadium at approximately 2:40 p.m.   Students are encouraged to join the band as it makes its way through the east side student area and around the outside of the stadium through Ram Town to welcome the team busses upon their arrival and line the team walk into the stadium.

New Team Entrance
Also included among the game-day enhancements will be an exciting new team entrance. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 4:30 p.m. to take in the full pregame experience inside Hughes Stadium.

Flags representing each of the eight colleges on the CSU campus will be paraded into the stadium and displayed prominently along the south end zone wall.  CSU’s live mascot Cam the Ram will then escort to the middle of the field a new “victory flag” signed by the students outside the stadium before each game.  Cam’s delivery of the victory flag will set the stage for the team’s entrance onto the field, which has been enhanced to provide fans an exciting and memorable in-stadium experience.

Game Day Agenda
By Tuesday each week of a home game, a game day agenda detailing the fan activities will be posted on CSURAMS.com and other campus websites. Fans can check there for the latest information and maps when making their plans, and also stay abreast of news and updates via the following Twitter accounts: @CSUAthletics and @CSUFootball.