Expect commencement, football game parking changes
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND – New parking restrictions will be in place for both Southeastern Louisiana University's fall commencement, scheduled to begin promptly at 10 a.m. Saturday, as well as the Lions versus New Hampshire quarterfinal 6 p.m. playoff game. With two major events taking place on campus on the same day, university officials stated they want to ensure the campus and community are fully aware of these significant changes.
Traffic and parking around the area of the University Center and extending out into the adjoining streets will be congested due to commencement traffic and early tailgaters. Motorists are asked to refrain from traveling on University Avenue and the surrounding area during this time if possible.
Due to the heavy traffic anticipated and NCAA guidelines, parking will handled differently than regular season games. Parking areas will be cleared Friday night to accommodate paid parking beginning at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14. Vehicles left overnight are subject to being towed.
The following parking areas and streets around Strawberry Stadium will be restricted as "pay at the gate" for Southeastern's home football playoff game: Union Avenue - $10 vehicle parking/$75 RV parking; Pine Street Lot, Pine Street and West Colorado - event staff parking only; Southeastern Hall Lot - corner of North Oak and West Dakota - $10 vehicle parking/$75 Visitor RV parking; Azalea Circle Lot - $10 vehicle parking; McCliman's Hall Lot - $10 vehicle parking; North Pine Street/Keyhole – West Dakota and Pine Street - $20 vehicle parking; Dyson Hall and the lot adjacent to the football practice field - $75 RV parking; Friendship Circle/Ned McGehee Drive - $20 vehicle parking; Dugas Center (front, side and behind)/Dakota Street - event staff, coaches, and VIP parking only; Lot B - Strawberry Stadium Lot, Alumni Field Lot, and Practice Fields - $20 vehicle parking.
Visitors are asked not to park or drive on any sidewalks or grass areas. Vehicles must park in spaces as directed by traffic control personnel and utilize only one space. Reserved parking hangtags must be displayed on the rearview mirror or dashboard of the vehicles at all times. Southeastern is not responsible for lost or stolen hangtags.
Parking lots north of Union Avenue and along Mane Street will be open and available for persons to park, including all areas north of these locations.
Students, Victory Club participants, and all media who park in the parking garage will need to have proper parking credentials from Athletics. They will need to enter and exit on the South side utilizing the Lot B entrance on West Dakota Street located behind Alumni Field.
Friendship Circle will be open for tailgating; however, it will be closed for through traffic. Only persons paying to park in Friendship Circle will be allowed to enter in vehicles. Those wishing to park in Friendship Circle will need to enter on the east side of Ned McGehee Drive.
Please secure any valuables out of plain site and secure vehicles while parked on campus. Any vehicles not removed by Sunday morning will be towed.
For a copy of the parking locations and pay schedule or for any questions, please contact the Athletics Department: 985-549-LION (5466) or www.LionSports.net/playoffs2013.
