3.0 Game Day Happenings [Top]
There is plenty of parking. A map of the parking areas is presented here. Public parking is $10 this year for cars and $40 for the drive up RV parking (check out this link for lot listing.) If you don't have a special pass, you don't have to worry about trying to park in any of the reserved areas because you can't. If you have a pass, follow the instructions on that. A fuller parking discussion with maps of the one way travel after the game can be found here. [Top]
There are several different shuttle options on game day. Shuttles from White Field North and Holy Cross parking lots are free. (Scroll to the bottom of this page for more info.) The shuttle from parking at Saint Mary's College costs $1.
There is also services provided by the South Bend Transportation Company. There used to be a service from the airport on game day from the South Shore Train leaving at 10:20 and 11:20 AM, but I'm not sure if this is continuing (it was in 1997.) Service is provided from several Mishawaka hotels and some downtown South Bend stops on a continual basis. For 2000, a shuttle leaves from the College Football Hall of Fame 2 1/2 hours before kickoff for $6 for round trip. Call 219-233-2213 for more shuttle info. [Top]
Security goes through the lots at 6 AM and tows every car there. So no. [Top]
Handicap parking is available on a drive-up basis near the stadium and shuttle service from the outlying lots. A limited number of handicap reserve parking is available by contacting the ticket office at (219) 631-7356 prior to the week of the game you're attending. You need a state-approved parking permit for access to handicap parking areas. [Top]
With the addition of 20,000 new seats, the off campus parking business has boomed. More and more houses around campus are opening up their yards to cars and RVs for parking, some places even for overnight parking. Unlike in previous years, some businesses around campus are checking and charging for parking as well. Generally, all of these places charging for parking are a reasonable walk to the stadium (@ 15 minutes). If you don't have a reserved RV parking pass, some of the houses allow parking for RVs and are closer to campus than the regular lots. [Top]
You bet you can. Since the parking lots don't open until 7:45 AM and game time is from noon to 3:30, it depends on the game. But people make the most of what they have. [Top]
The University has their own security as well as hired hands to go through the parking lots to look for mischief. Quiet parties will just get a walk by. Boisterous \loud get togethers with 50 people will get scrutinized. Here's a run down on do's and do not's that the University puts out every year and the author's take:
There is a good chance it will not. There is no security in the lots during the game and stuff gets taken all the time. Lock it up in your car. One person reported that their grill was stolen during the USC game one year when they 'hid' it under the car.[Top]
The parking lots close 2 hours after the game ends, and tailgating is permitted then. However, for October and November games, there isn't much sunlight after the game ends so you won't be able to see your burgers cooking. So bring lights. [Top]
The pep rallies are the official beginning of the football weekend. It starts off with the band performing a pre-game concert at 4:30 on the steps of the Administation building. The pep rallies start at 6:30 PM inside the JACC where seating is capped at about 12,000. Students are allowed in at 5:50 and the general public at 6:10. These rallies last about 1/2 hour and include fiery speeches from players and Coach Davie. [Top]
The Notre Dame Marching Band is the oldest collegiate marching band in the country. They are almost a big of tradition as the game itself. The band starts off with its concert 1 1/2 hours before game time on the steps of the the Bond Architecture building. The band then marches to the stadium with 45 minutes till game time. Throngs of people line the route and follow the follow the band's march, led by the Irish Guard and cheerleaders to the stadium, a nd then go inside to watch the band run on to the field and perform the pregame. This is definitely one of the can't miss things if you've never been to a Notre Dame game. It is recommended that you get there early so you can see the show . [Top]
The cheerleaders will perform in various places before kickoff. See the schedule below They are also at the band ceremonies on the steps of the Administration Building. The Joyce Athletic and Convocation Center hosts the Glee Club several hours before kickoff. The JACC is a good place to get in from the elements. A schedule is printed in the campus paper the day before the game. [Top]
There are several different places to purchase Notre Dame memorabilia. The most popular with the widest selection is Hammes Bookstore. The bookstore has moved locations and now has much bigger and roomier quarters in the Eck Center west of the stadium along Notre Dame Avenue. There are twice as many cashiers and it while crowded 4 hours before game time, the wait for a cashier was 5 minutes. The Bookstore is open 9 AM till 10 PM on Friday and Sunday, and 8 AM till 10 PM on Saturday.
There is also the Varsity Shop in the Joyce Center. They have an expanded store in the north arena as well as their regular store in the concourse area. The selection is different than at the bookstore and the prices are generally higher. The fieldhouse shop is open 9-5 on Friday, 8-1 hour past the end of the game on Saturday, and 10-2 on Sunday.
Souvenirs are also available at various kiosks around the stadium as well as inside. Lines are short but selection is limited. [Top]
The Huddle is located in the LaFortune Student Center on campus. Burger King has moved in and other food areas serve a limited menu of pizza with long lines. There are also miscellaneous other places (see Weekly Schedule for the full list (Requires Acrobat Reader)).
A much better option is to patronize one of the student organizations that have set up food areas on campus on game days. These organizations use the money to help fund their activities for the year. Each place offers a wide selection of food, from burgers and hot dogs and bratwurst and more. The most famous is the one outside the Knights of Columbus which serves a steak sandwich. This is a great alternative to cooking food at a tailgater while helping out students and a part of the tradition.
There are also food stands serving popcorn, soft drinks, and cotton candy in several locations around the stadium. [Top]
It changes from week to week but they run somewhat like this. This is up to date for BOSTON COLLEGE WEEKEND with a game time of 3:30. For even more events, head over to this page. (You need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view this.)
Friday Afternoon and Evening:
Saturday:
