Aug. 25, 2008

BERKELEY - Cal football kicks off its 113th season this Saturday, Aug. 30, against Michigan State University at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, looking toward a seventh consecutive winning season for the Golden Bears. In preparation, we want to provide you with important information about gameday access to the stadium, parking changes, safety and security.

As you probably know, four protesters continue to occupy a single tree in the grove adjacent to Memorial Stadium. The legal process continues to work its way to what we expect will be a successful conclusion, allowing the university to begin construction of the new Student-Athlete High Performance Center on the site. In the meantime, we are doing everything possible to ensure safety and minimize the impact of the protest on fans and the campus community.

On Saturday, the double line of security fencing that now encloses and contains the tree-sitters will remain in place, and we will have a robust police presence around the stadium to deter and respond to any unlawful behavior. In addition, we have made significant changes and improvements to stadium access points that will alleviate any inconvenience and congestion caused by the security measures.

We ask for your help and cooperation in refraining from any language or actions that could provoke trouble at the site. Our campus values civility in all personal interactions, even in the face of disagreement, and that principle also applies to everyone involved in this difficult situation in the grove.

Around Memorial Stadium, new steps have been taken to reduce traffic congestion and make access for pedestrians as smooth as possible. Fans will find new and expanded gates for easier entry and exit, some parking changes next to the stadium and enhanced mass transportation options.

NEW AND EXPANDED GATES
New, expanded entrances are now in place at the north and south ends of the stadium and at the top of the International House parking lot. In addition, a new entry plaza near Maxwell Family Field at the north end of the stadium will have 23 points of entry. All told there are eight new gates and 91 exit/entry points. Access to the east side of the stadium from Rim Way and Centennial Drive remain unchanged.

PARKING CHANGES
The Prospect, International House and Kleeberger parking lots will be closed to cars on gamedays. All parking in these lots adjacent to the stadium has been moved to other locations, freeing the areas for fans as they enter and exit the stadium; those affected by these changes have been notified about their newly assigned parking areas.

See this parking and transportation map for details

TICKETS BOOTHS AND WILL-CALL LOCATIONS
Main ticket booths and will-call are located on the north side of the stadium; tickets can also be purchased at a smaller booth at the south entrance.

See the new stadium access map for details

PUBLIC TRANSIT AND SHUTTLES
As always, fans are encouraged to arrive early and take advantage of BART, the Capitol Corridor train from Sacramento, or the dedicated bus service from AC Transit. For BART patrons, free Bear Express shuttles will run every 10 minutes from the Bank of America building on the corner of Center Street and Shattuck Avenue. In addition, free shuttle service to the stadium will be available from the following locations:

• The top of the West Crescent entrance to campus
• Clearly marked stops on the "Southside Loop" along Bancroft Way and Channing Way
• Clearly marked stops on the "Northside Loop" along Hearst Avenue
• University parking lots (Underhill, Anna Head, Dana/Durant, Bancroft/Fulton and Hearst)

After the game, shuttle service will be available only for disabled fans returning to designated parking spots in the Underhill and Anna Head parking lots. These shuttles will depart 30 minutes after the game concludes from the Prospect lot on the south side of the stadium, the corner of Centennial and Rim Way on the east side, and from the Gayley Road entrance to the Haas School of Business.

See this parking and transportation map for details
AC Transit bus schedule to Memorail Stadium

Saturday promises to be an exciting start to another wonderful season of Cal football -- we look forward to seeing you there!

Go Bears!

Sincerely,

Nathan Brostrom
Vice Chancellor, Administration

Sandy Barbour
Director of Athletics

Victoria Harrison
Chief, UC Police Department

For more information about attending Cal football games this fall, visit CalBears.com.
For more information on the Memorial Stadium Project visit http://newscenter.berkeley.edu/features/stadium/.