UF to broadcast Championship game; RTS alters bus schedule

January 3, 2007

Updated 1/8/07

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida students can join other Gator fans on Jan. 8 in one of several spots on campus to watch the match-up with Ohio State in the Tostitos BCS National Championship game.

The game, which will be played in Glendale, Ariz., will be simulcast in the O’Connell Center and in two locations in the Reitz Student Union: the Orange & Brew and the Grand Ballroom. Students, faculty and staff with Gator 1 cards will be allowed one guest each for admission to the O’Connell Center. No identification will be required to watch the game in the Reitz Union.

Game coverage starts at 8 p.m. with kickoff expected at 8:25 p.m.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. at the O’Connell Center, where the game will be shown on four large video boards. Dazzlers will perform and several contests will be held. All four gates will be open, and concessions will be available. Doors will remain open until the beginning of the third quarter or until the arena is filled. Guests will not be allowed to re-enter if they leave.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. at the Orange & Brew and Grand Ballroom, where multiple projection screens will be set up. Food specials will be available at the Orange & Brew, and food is allowed in the Grand Ballroom. No alcoholic beverages are allowed to be taken outside of the Orange & Brew.

Parking on Jan. 8 will face the usual weekday restrictions until 4:30 p.m. because it is the first day of classes for the spring semester. After 4:30 p.m., parking will be available throughout campus as usual on a weekday evening. No tailgating will be allowed on campus on Jan. 8.

Parking will not be allowed between 7 p.m. Monday and 7 a.m. Tuesday on University Avenue between 13th and 22nd streets, and on Northwest First Avenue between 16th and 18th streets.

RTS announces temporary service changes for Jan. 8

In anticipation of increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic due to the University of Florida’s involvement in the BCS National Championship game, Regional Transit Service has announced some changes in its bus service for Monday, Jan. 8.

Routes 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 20 and 35 will follow their regular routes and schedules as traffic will allow. Detours of routes 5, 34 and 126 will begin at 10 p.m.

Route 5 will avoid University Avenue between Main Street and 34th Street after 10 p.m. All Route 5 westbound and eastbound stops between Main Street and 34th Street will not be serviced after that time. From the Downtown Plaza, Route 5 will be rerouted via Main Street and Eighth Avenue to Northwest 34th Street and resume its normal route to the Oaks Mall. Traveling from the Oaks Mall, Route 5 will rerout via Northwest 34th Street and Eighth Avenue.

All Route 34 westbound and eastbound stops will not be serviced after 10 p.m. at the following locations: 34th Street between Radio Road and University Avenue; Southwest Second Avenue between 34th Street and Woodlawn Drive; Stadium Road between Woodlawn Drive and Buckman Drive adjacent to the Hub; Buckman Drive between Stadium Road and University Avenue; University Avenue between Buckman Drive and Gale Lemerand Drive.

Route 34 will be rerouted from Southwest 34th Street onto Radio Road, proceed to Museum Road and continue to Newell Drive, stop at Rawlings Hall, turn left on McCarty Drive and continue to the Reitz Student Union bus stop. When leaving the Reitz Student Union bus stop, Route 34 buses will turn right onto Museum Road and right onto Radio Road and continue to 34th Street, where they will turn left at 34th Street and resume their routes.

Route 126, UF East/West Circulator will avoid the O’Connell Center, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and the UF Hub area. All Route 126 bus stops will not be serviced after 10 p.m. on Fraternity Row between Museum Road and Stadium Road, Stadium Road between Fraternity Row and Union Road, Union Road between Southwest Second Avenue and Southwest 10th Street, Southwest 12th Street between Southwest Fourth Avenue and Southwest Eighth Avenue, Museum Road between Southwest Eighth Avenue and Newell Drive.

Route 126 will be rerouted to travel from Lakeside, continue on Museum Road to Newell Drive, stop at Rawlings Hall, turn left on McCarty Drive and continue to the Reitz Student Union bus stop. When leaving the Reitz Student Union, Route 126 will continue straight on Center Drive and resume its regular route.

SNAP, the student escort service usually offered evenings, will be canceled on Jan. 8.

Students are reminded that the drop/add period has been extended from Jan. 12 to 5 p.m. Jan. 16 to give all students more opportunity to make decisions about their spring courses.