With the construction of the on-campus stadium under way, the UCF community is busy shaping plans, such as a "dry stadium" policy, to handle game-day crowds.
On Sept. 15, 2007, UCF will play host to its first home game against the University of Texas Longhorns at the Brighthouse Networks Stadium. And with 45,000 seats, the stadium presents new challenges for UCF in the form of parking, traffic and alcohol enforcement.
"We've looked at and gotten input from campuses across the country about how to handle this," said Al Harms, assistant vice president for research and special assistant to the president.
Harms and other UCF officials directly involved in the preparation process for the new stadium have studied the campuses of UF, FSU, USF, University of Washington, Notre Dame, University of Georgia, Alabama and Texas A&M to observe planning and game-day operations.
An important guideline that will take effect in the fall is the "dry stadium" policy - no alcohol allowed inside the premises. Currently, at the home games in the Citrus Bowl, alcohol is allowed.
Harms said many stadiums around the country are dry, including FSU, and the decision to have UCF's stadium follow suit was not a hard one.
Students, however, are divided on the issue.
"I think that the idea of a dry stadium is a great idea because it cuts down on violence and rowdy fans," said freshman business administration major Sean Berg.
Officials agree and plan to enforce the policy with strict guidelines. While tailgating will be allowed in certain areas - to be determined at a future date - the Florida Open Container Law, which states that it is illegal to have open alcohol containers outside the property of a bar, restaurant or private residence, will be in effect.
"Most certainly there will be tailgating, but there will be guidelines," Harms said.
While students won't be able to drink in the new stadium, they will still have the option of purchasing alcohol at Wackadoo's Grub & Brew in the Student Union.
"I don't like that it's going to be a dry stadium," said freshman Emily Frazier. "There are quite a few UCF fans and students who are of age. They should be able to drink during the football game if they so choose. Besides, it will help the school gain more money if they provide alcohol."
After this year's homecoming events, which saw crowds nearing 10,000 people, officials plan to make traffic control a top priority.
An outside consulting firm, PBS&J, will help UCF develop a transportation management system for the stadium.
"Basically we want to maximize capacity on existing roadways," said Gary Carlin of PBS&J.
The firm plans to use cameras to monitor traffic and accidents, and also to utilize the existing 511 system, a communication network that provides traffic information about major highways. Alafaya Trail and University Boulevard will be added to the 511 system.
Dynamic message signs will also be used to display notifications about accidents, traffic and routing information.
The total value of the improvements is said to be $4.7 million, which may come from the Florida Trust Fund. Within a month, the trust fund will make its decision on whether to support the project.
To bring people in from State Road 408, both Challenger Parkway and Discovery Drive will become one-way streets before and after each game.
Instead of opening up temporary sand or grass lots on campus, UCF's existing shuttle service will be expanded during games, according to Parking Services director John Clark.
"There will be no added parking, we will utilize what we have," Clark said.
UCF is working with Siemens Westinghouse and Research Park to provide an additional 6,000-7,000 spaces to the existing 13,000 spots on campus.
For its part, UCF Athletics brought in Gameday Management Group, a company that has assisted with events like the Super Bowl and the Indianapolis 500.
"On game days, law enforcement will be supplemented with assistance from surrounding agencies," said Maj. David Zambri of the UCF Police Department.
Seminole County, Orange County and Florida Highway Patrol will assist with the surrounding roads outside of UCF's jurisdiction.
For students who can't or won't make the 17-mile trip to the Citrus Bowl, the on-campus stadium is a welcome change.
"It's such a hassle to get there and it's too far away from the school," Berg said. "Some students don't have vehicles to get downtown, and the ones that do don't feel like dealing with all of the traffic and parking concerns that come with a sporting event."
Also up for debate is if the stadium will be used for purposes other than football games. After the crowds seen at this year's homecoming events, many wonder whether the stadium will be used for special events.
"We're in the very preliminary stages of planning - it all comes down to what we're allowed to do," said SGA Athletics and Traditions Coordinator Brandon Delanois. "It's a collective effort; we're all getting together and analyzing what we need to do."
Another advantage for current students is that, unlike older schools with more established stadiums, this brand-new stadium will give students a chance to shape and establish their own traditions.
"We're a major university and we get to do this at the young age of 40," Harms said.
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