Football Gameday Parking and Fan Information

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUGameDay.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team opens the 2015 campaign Saturday, Sept. 5, for a non-conference matchup against the Monarchs of Old Dominion University. Game time is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at "The Factory" at Rynearson Stadium.

The game is just one part of a busy weekend for EMU Athletics as nearly 400 alumni, family and friends of EMU track & field/cross country are scheduled to be in attendance at the game representing decades of competitors to celebrate the collective achievements of the past and present. Among these individuals are Olympians, National Champions, All-Americans, MAC Champions, Division II Champions, NAIA Champions, all contributors to the legendary program that help put Eastern Michigan on the map. The celebration will begin at 10 a.m. with a cross country meet at the Eagle Crest Golf Club.

In addition, the event will serve the official dedication of adding Hall of Fame Head Coach Bob Parks' name to the Olds-Marshall Track to become known as the Olds-Marshall-Parks Track.

Parks was a collegiate runner at Eastern Michigan from 1950 to 1952. A three-time letterwinner who won the 1952 IIAC 800m run and member of the mile relay team that held the school record for 14 years. Parks became the EMU head men's track & field/cross country coach in 1967 and enjoyed a legendary 34 years at the helm, retiring in 2001. Under his guidance, EMU won a total of 31 Mid-American Conference titles and he was named MAC Coach of the Year 22-times. His teams won six NAIA and NCAA team titles, and he was named NCAA National Coach of the Year once and regional Coach of the Year nine times. Throughout his career, Parks coached eight athletes who compete in 13 Olympic games. In fact, he coached an athlete is every Olympic games from 1960 to 2004. These athletes include Gold Medal winners, Hasley Crawford and Clement Chukwu and Bronze Medal winner, Earle Jones.

EMU Athletics reminds fans attending the game that each non-VIP parking lot has a $5 charge per vehicle and a $20 charge per motorhome or vehicle that takes up two-or-more spaces. For VIP parking, sign up for the Eagles Pride Suite level ticket package, which includes free access to the VIP lot. Contact Dan McLean, EMU Associate Athletic Director for Development, for more information at 734.487.1050.

Members of EMU's Department of Public Safety and Parking are working in coordination with the EMU Army ROTC and EMU student-athletes to staff the lots. Parking attendants will be easily recognizable in brightly-colored vests to direct fans to open spaces in each of EMU's nine designated parking lots. Directional signage will also be prominently featured when approaching the stadium.

Lots are open with the charge for parking beginning three hours before kickoff. Please have cash ready (no credit cards will be accepted in the parking lots). Season parking passes are valid at any lot and can be purchased through the EMU Ticket Office by calling 734.487.2282 or visiting EMUEagles.com/tickets.

Parking for disabled patrons is available at the Convocation Center. A state issued handicapped pass is required.

EMU students will have the option of riding the free shuttle that runs from campus to Rynearson Stadium on gameday. Tailgate Town (Lot 1) will be open for vehicle tailgating. To ensure access to Tailgate Town, fans should be in the left lane of the south Rynearson Stadium entrance.

VIP Parking should enter off of Washtenaw Ave. and Hewitt. Rd.

Fans are encouraged to show up early to catch the Turn It Up, Turn It Green event which will be held at the Convocation Center, two and a half hours prior to kickoff. For the 3:30 p.m. kickoff, seating inside the Convocation Center will open at 1 p.m. When entering the Convocation Center, the roar of the EMU Marching Band will fill the arena. In addition, all in attendance will have the chance to see the live Bald Eagle in person.

Single-game tickets are on sale online at EMUGameDay.com, by calling 734.487.2282 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office. Ticket prices start at just $20 for adults and $8 for youth 12-and-under.

Schedule of Events
12:30 p.m. – Parking lots open
1 p.m. – Turn it Up, Turn It Green begins in the Convocation Center
2 p.m. – Gates to Rynearson Stadium open
3:30 p.m. – Kickoff versus Old Dominion

Fans visiting from the north...
Exit off US-23 via Exit 37A and follow Washtenaw Ave. to Golfside Rd. Turn left on Golfside Rd. and go down one light and take a right on to Clark Rd. Follow it to the next light and turn right on Hewitt Rd. Parking lots 5, 6 and 7 will be on the right side.

Fans visiting from the west...
Off of I-94, take US-23 north to Exit 37A and follow Washtenaw Ave. to Golfside Rd. Turn left on Golfside Rd and go down one light and take a right on to Clark Rd. Follow it to the next light and turn right on Hewitt Rd. Parking lots 4, 5, 6 and 7 will be on the rightside.

Fans visiting from the south...
Take US-23 north to I-94 East towards Detroit. Exit at Michigan Ave. (Exit 181) Turn left on Michigan Ave. and at the first light turn left on to Hewitt Rd. Follow Hewitt Rd. to parking lots A, B, C, D, 2 and 3.

Fans visiting from the east...
Take I-94 West and exit at Michigan Ave. (Exit 181B). Follow the ramp onto Michigan Ave. and at the first light turn left on to Hewitt Rd. Follow Hewitt Rd. to parking lots A, B, C, D, 2 and 3.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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