Media invited to join Gator fans to watch championship game at UF

January 5, 2009

WHO: University of Florida students, faculty, staff and other Gator fans will gather in several places on the UF campus in Gainesville to watch the FedEx BCS National Championship football game Thursday between the Gators and the University of Oklahoma.

WHERE: The game, which will be played in Miami, will be simulcast on four large screens in the O’Connell Center and in two locations in the Reitz Student Union: the Grand Ballroom and the Orange & Brew.

WHEN: Game coverage starts at 8 p.m. with kickoff expected at 8:17 p.m. Doors will open at 4 p.m. in the O’Connell Center for the UF women’s basketball game against Mississippi State at 5 p.m. Only students, faculty and staff with Gator 1 cards will be admitted after 5:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for viewing in the student union’s Grand Ballroom. The game also will be shown in the student union’s Orange & Brew, which will be open regular hours.

CONTACT: To request media credentials for the O’Connell Center event, e-mail newsdesk@ufl.edu before 5 p.m. Wednesday. Please specify affiliate and the names of everyone to be credentialed as well as any special needs. Credentials will be available after 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the loading dock of the O’Connell Center. Information on how to obtain wireless Internet access will be available there. A media work room with Internet access will be available at 8 p.m.

BROADCAST: Satellite trucks may be parked on Stadium Road starting at the Gate 2 corner of the O’Connell Center and along the north curb toward Gate 3.

MORE QUESTIONS: Additional questions can be directed to Steve Orlando, UF News Bureau director, at 352-392-0186. Media credentials are not required to cover events in the student union.