UF, UGA and City of Jacksonville team up for safer game weekend

September 6, 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida, the University of Georgia and the City of Jacksonville have agreed to measures to improve safety for students and others who attend the annual Florida/Georgia football game this year.

The institutions hope to reduce the possibility of accidents and violence that have marred celebrations during the game weekend over the past several years, including the deaths of two UF students.

“After losing two students in the past two years during the Florida/Georgia game weekend, we have a responsibility to do all we can to make the game as safe as possible,” said UF President Bernie Machen. “We hope these measures will achieve that goal, while not taking away from the festivities surrounding the game. I thank Mayor Peyton and President Adams for their important work on this issue.”

“Our highest priority is safety for fans and we will diligently work to ensure this. Security in and around the stadium and the downtown area will receive even more focus at this year’s game,” Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton said.

“Student safety is of paramount importance to the University of Georgia,” UGA President Michael F. Adams said. “We trust that this teamwork involving UGA, the University of Florida and the City of Jacksonville will enhance our students’ experience at this game.”

This year’s match-up is scheduled for Oct. 28 in Jacksonville’s Alltel Stadium. The game has been played in Jacksonville nearly every year since 1933.

Under the safety measures currently planned:

• The city and the two universities will establish a “Student Safe Zone” near Jacksonville Landing, where students and others can find assistance, meet missing friends and access support services. Students also will be able to find first aid, maps and an escort service modeled after UF’s Student Nighttime Auxiliary Patrol, or SNAP.

• Jacksonville police will have increased presence on Saturday night.
The two schools and the city will continue to work on additional safety initiatives as the game approaches.