Bulldog Stadium Game Day Guide: Homecoming

FRESNO, Calif. – As fans and alumni prepare to fill Bulldog Stadium for Homecoming on Saturday, GoBulldogs.com is sharing a guide to game day to prepare the Red Wave for all the fun. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT against Hawai'i.

• Alumni Tailgate (link)
3:30 p.m. • Lawn area of Aquatics Center (Cedar/Barstow behind softball field)
All alumni are welcome to the official tailgate before the big game! There will be food, drinks, music and family-friendly activities including inflatables, lawn jenga, corn hole and face painters to get you in the game-day spirit!
• Student Tailgate
5 p.m. • ASI Tailgate Space (Red Lot)
Giveaways and fun before the game– just for current Fresno State students!
• Kickoff vs. Hawai'i
7:30 p.m. • Bulldog Stadium
• Fireworks Show
After the game • Bulldog Stadium
Spectacle for the entire Fresno State community to enjoy after the Homecoming game!

Concessions special on Oct. 27 (link to map)

Early Bird Special - Hot dog and soda for $5.00 (valid before kick off, only).

Band Together for Cancer
Over 30,000 wristbands, which will light up red, will be handed out at the gates that we will ask fans to light up between the first and second quarters, and while the marching band performs at halftime, to honor those who've battled and are currently battling cancer.

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Overview: With Community Medical Centers recently opening their state of the art cancer institute, they wanted to partner together with Fresno State to honor those people who have been touched by cancer. The cancer institute is a great asset to our community, and allows patients here at home to no longer leave the Valley for care. Community also ran a campaign where people could make a donation to receive a customized sash honoring a loved one that will be worn by our band members during the game. The band will make a special performance at halftime that includes some video clips from former Bulldog Alumni introducing the songs.

In addition, the football team will wear Pink awareness stickers on the back of their helmets for Saturday's game against Hawai'i.

Football Game Day vs Hawaii (Sat. Oct. 27th)
10 a.m. - Ticket Office opens at south end of Bulldog Stadium.
3:30 p.m. - All football tailgate parking lots open.
4:30 p.m. - Free shuttle buses run from the Save Mart Center ($10 parking).
4:45 p.m. - March to Victory (cheer the team on in the White Lot).
6 p.m. - Stadium gates open.
7:30 p.m. - Kickoff. Beat Hawai'i.
End of 3rd Qtr. - Beer sales stop.
Start of 4th Qtr. - Shuttle buses run from north end of stadium to SMC.
Two hours after game - All vehicles must be out of stadium parking lots.

March to Victory
Coach Tedford will lead the Bulldogs on their "March to Victory" starting at 4:45 p.m. The entire team will depart their meal room and make a loop around the west side of the stadium, walking through the tailgate area of the white lot and engage with the fans. The team will re-enter the stadium and march from the north end zone to the south end zone (before stadium gates open) and finish walking through the blue lot before entering the locker room to dress out. The walk will take the team 15 minutes.

"Anytime you can interact with the fans, especially before a game, fans have an effect on players and if they can walk through there and get a lot of positive energy and support from the fans, I think that makes the players feel really good about what they're getting ready to get into," Coach Tedford said about the march. "Everywhere I've been where it's been like that, it's been a lot of fun and a motivator for the players and the fans."

More for Oct. 27 ...

Pregame
Saturday's game programs, presented by Community Medical Centers, will be available for $5 near the main entrances and at the Bulldog Shop kiosks located throughout the stadium.

The Fresno State skydiving team, the Bulldog Blitz, will descend on Bulldog Stadium just before each team takes the field before kickoff. The Blitz, who are Fresno State alumnae, practices and represents their Bulldog Spirit year round in preparation for these jumps worldwide and at events here throughout the Valley. The Bulldog Blitz exits out of a plane at 6,000 feet and deploy their parachutes between 3000-3500 feet. In all, their fall takes roughly 3 minutes. They reach terminal velocity speeds of 120 miles per hour and will slow down to 20 miles per hour after deploying their parachutes.

Halftime
It's Homecoming, so that means our 2018 Top Dog Honorees will be recognized during halftime. Each individual will be celebrated for their accomplishments on Oct. 26 at the Fresno State Alumni Association's Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala at the Save Mart Center, and again in front of the Red Wave at Bulldog Stadium at halftime.

Educator and academic researcher Safiya Umoja Noble will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award for her efforts in social justice, professional accomplishments as an educational leader and success with research on the impact of technologies on society. Based on scholarship, leadership and service to the University, the Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest alumni honor given.

Each year, one alumnus is chosen from each of the University's academic schools and colleges, the Department of Athletics, the Henry Madden Library, the Division of Student Affairs and the Division of Graduate Studies to receive a Top Dog Outstanding Alumni Award.

The Arthur Safstrom Service Award honors alumni who have a distinguished record of service to Fresno State. The 2018 Arthur Safstrom Service Award recipient is Harry Gaykian (1955), financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors and an instrumental supporter of the University and its students.

Fresno State's 2018 Top Dog Honorees:

Distinguished Alumna: Safiya Umoja Noble (1996), assistant professor at the University of Southern California Annenberg School of Communication
Arthur Safstrom Service Award: Harry Gaykian (1955), financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors

Outstanding Alumni by College or Division:

Jordan College of Agriculture Sciences and Technology: Jim Marderosian (1979), president and owner of Bee Sweet Citrus, Inc.
College of Arts and Humanities: Gerald McMenamin (1972), emeritus faculty for the Department of Linguistics at Fresno State
Department of Athletics: Chris Williams (1994), Paso Robles Joint Unified School District Superintendent
Craig School of Business: James G. Parker (1972), president and CEO of James G. Parker Insurance Associates
Kremen School of Education and Human Development: Michael Giovannetti (1970, '72, '01), executive director of the Renaissance Group
Lyles College of Engineering: Steven Schmidt (1977), assistant center director for strategic implementation at the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center
Division of Graduate Studies: Michael Snell (2004, '10), CEO of the California Teaching Fellows Foundation
College of Health and Human Services: Timothy McGonigle (1980), partner at Folsom Physical Therapy and Training Center
Henry Madden Library: Ellen Gorelick (1979), retired executive director and chief curator of the Tulare Historical Museum
College of Science and Mathematics: Raymond Rodriguez (1969), professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and executive director of the Global HealthShare Initiative at the University of California, Davis
College of Social Sciences: Rosendo Peña, Jr. (1977), associate justice of the State of California Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District in Fresno
Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management: Christopher Morse (1988), partner at Moss Adams LLP
Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management: Kenneth Wittwer (1986), partner at Moss Adams LLP

Third Quarter
Looking ahead to the Bulldog women's basketball team and their home opener on Nov. 14th at the Save Mart Center, head women's basketball coach Jaime White will behind the T-Shirt cannon in the third quarter. The T-Shirt Toss is fueled by Chevron.

Entering Bulldog Stadium on Game Day
The following adjustments were made to the stadium gates to expedite the entrance process while maintaining security standards:

LINK to MAP

There will be an express line at each gate for those who do not have bags to be checked.
The north gate has been significantly expanded to increase the flow of fans through it as well as other points of entry.
- Entry point increases through each gate (old # > new #)
  - North: 8 > 14
  - Northeast: 4 > 6
  - East: 4 > 6
  - Southeast (ADA): 1 > 4
  - South: 6 > 10
  - Southwest: 4 > 6
  - Northwest: 2 > 4
- Each includes at least one express lane per gate
Additional personnel at each gate.

Also please note the following to speed your entrance into Bulldog Stadium:

Arrive early to avoid the last minute crowds at the gates.
Only cell phones need to be removed from your pockets (not keys or wallets).

Additional General Information

Tickets
The stadium ticket office (only open on game days) is located on the south side of the stadium in the Lexus Blue Lot. The main ticket office is located on the northeast corner of the Save Mart Center and is open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Parking
Map 1 (text)
Map 2 (no text)
Parking lots open four hours prior to kickoff. Parking permit machines are not active on game days, game day parking passes are available for sale starting four hours prior in the green lots.

A limited number of ADA spaces are available on a first-come first-serve basis in the red, white and blue lots beginning four hours prior to game time. A state approved parking permit with a matching disabled driver's license must be presented along with the $10 parking fee for admittance.

Tailgating

The University welcomes responsible tailgating as a part of the pageantry and culture of college sports.
Lots open four hours prior to kick off.
Vehicles may remain in the lots up to two hours following the game.
Alcohol cannot be consumed in the green parking lots.
Glass containers and charcoal fires are prohibited.
Fresno State is a tobacco free campus, tobacco products are prohibited.
Tailgaters are responsible for cleaning up all trash within their tailgating area.
Stakes are not allowed to be used for securing tents. Weights or water barrels can be used.
Alcohol may not be sold in any manner.

No Smoking
No smoking policy – Fresno State, and all CSU property – will remain to be smoke, tobacco, and vapor free. Smoking, and the use of tobacco products and vapor/e-cigarette devices are not permitted in the parking lots, or anywhere inside of Bulldog Stadium.

Water
Unopened plastic bottles of water smaller than one liter will be allowed in the stadium.

Beer Sales Locations
Beer will be available for purchase at 3 satellite areas in the north, east, and west sides of the stadium. Beer will not be sold by the existing concession stands. Sales will stop at the end of the third quarter. Patrons will be able to take their beverages back to their seats and there will be a two-item limit per sale.

Entry (link to map)
There are seven entry points around Bulldog Stadium.

Electronic metal detection devices will be in use to enhance the security presence at Bulldog Stadium. All bags and persons entering the stadium are subject to search. A list of prohibited items can be found at the gate.

There are no in-and-out privileges at Bulldog Stadium. Persons leaving the stadium will not be re-admitted. Alcohol is not permitted to leave the stadium.

The student entrance is located in the southeast corner of the stadium. All students must have a valid ID. Student tickets are not valid at other entrance gates, and all students must use the student gate.

ADA Parking

There are a limited number of accessible parking stalls available in the Red, White, and Blue parking lots around Bulldog Stadium. These parking lots will open up 4 hours prior to kickoff, and accessible parking is sold on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a $10 charge to park in the accessible stalls, and a valid ADA placard must be presented.
Additional accessible stalls are located in campus Lot P1. Once those stalls are filled, other guests will be accommodated in the general P1 parking area.
From Bulldog Stadium, Lot P1 can be accessed by traveling south on Cedar, East on Shaw, and turning Left on Maple to enter the lot.
There is a drop off area at the entrance to Lot P1, where fans can wait while parking.
University Traffic Operations will be present with a courtesy golf cart if needed.

ADA Seating

Accessible and companion seating is available at the top of the following sections: 7, 8, 14, 15, 27, 28, 34, and 35. Seating is also available at the bottom of sections: 30, 31, and 32.
When purchasing tickets, please inform the box office – or select on the website – whether you need a wheelchair accessible seat or a companion seat.
Fans who have difficulty navigating stairs are suggested to make seat selections at or near the top row of each section.

Game-Day Shuttle

There is a free shuttle service for all fans parking in the Green Lots for football game days.
Shuttle buses begin 3 hours prior to kickoff, and will run through the end of the 1st quarter.
Bus Stops are located along Barstow Ave, Woodrow Ave, and the Maple Roundabout. All shuttle buses run the same route, and drop off at the North entrance to Bulldog Stadium.
Starting at the end of the 3rd quarter, the shuttle buses will pick up at the North entrance to Bulldog Stadium, and return fans to the same stops along Barstow, Woodrow, and Maple.
There is an additional shuttle bus picking up from the Maple Roundabout that is specifically equipped to accommodate fans in wheelchairs, and those that need mobility assistance.
Please let the Traffic Operations Staff, Parking Staff, or Bus Drivers know if you are in need of any other assistance.

Inside of Bulldog Stadium

The following entrance gates are nearest to each of the parking lots and drop-off areas at Bulldog Stadium:
Blue Lot – ADA Gate (SW Corner), or South Gate
White Lot – Southwest Gate
Red Lot – East Gate
Purple Lot – North East Gate, or North Gate
Shuttle Bus – North Gate
If you have parked in the ADA stalls in the White Lot or Red lot, please inform the parking staff if you would need a courtesy ride to the gate entrance.
Once inside of the entrance gate, there are benches and waiting areas for the free golf cart shuttles that can take you near your seats. Golf carts will pick up and drop off at the entrance gates, as well as the top (Behind) each seating section.
After the game, the carts will return you to the entrance gate nearest to your parking lot.
If you need assistance while inside of Bulldog Stadium, you can use our Text Messaging service. Text the word BADDOG to 69050 along with your issue and location, and game management personnel will assist you.
Please notify any game management or security staff if you need further assistance while at Bulldog Stadium.

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Bulldog Stadium Game Day Guide: Homecoming

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