What’s New at Paulson Stadium This Season?
9/5/2019 10:30:00 AM | Football, Athletic Foundation
Numerous changes made to upgrade fan experience at Eagle football games
Tickets are still on sale for the season for all six home games. You can purchase them at GSEagles.com/Tickets.
PARKING/TRAFFIC FLOW CHANGES
In an effort to improve the experience for donors, season ticket holders and single-game ticket buyers and address traffic and parking challenges on game day, Georgia Southern Athletics and the University have evaluated the operation with an outside consultant and will implement changes for traffic and parking at Allen E. Paulson Stadium for the 2019 football season.
- Patrons with parking passes in the donor lots immediately surrounding Paulson Stadium will be scanned for entry and be allowed exit/re-entry if the proper procedures are followed;
- Two distinct complimentary game day bus routes will now be offered;
- Parking at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) and Recreation Activities Center (RAC) will require the purchase of a parking pass but also now come with restroom access;
- ADA parking with complimentary shuttle transportation pick-up in the immediate vicinity is available for purchase as a season parking pass or on a per-game basis in both the PAC and RAC Lots;
- Traffic flow pre- and post-game continues to be evaluated and modified to best improve patrons' experience;
- The Ceramic and Sculpture Building parking lot is no longer available for parking due to the construction of the new Engineering and Research Building in that area.
NEW EAGLE WALK TIME
The Eagle Walk has moved up 15 minutes earlier than last season. Fans are now encouraged to form a tunnel for the Eagle Walk 2 hours and 15 minutes prior to kickoff (3:45 p.m. for 6 p.m. games).
PREGAME TAILGATE ZONE and PAULSON PREGAME SOCIAL POWERED BY BUD LIGHT (FINAL FIVE GAMES ONLY)
With the exception of the first game, fans will also enjoy free, live music at the Pregame Tailgate Zone as well as the new Paulson Pregame Social, powered by Bud Light, for the remaining home games. Additionally, food trucks will be up and running to serve food to paying patrons.
A pass is required to enter this area of the tailgate. Bronze Eagle Fund membership accounts and above ($1,200) will receive two complimentary passes as a thank you for their support and additional tickets can be purchased for $15 per game.
These members will receive communication at a later date regarding Paulson Pregame Social, powered by Bud Light, pass distribution. Non-Eagle Fund members and members below the Bronze level can attend as well by purchasing passes for $25 per game.
Guests must wear a 21+ age verified wristband to consume alcoholic beverages. Just like other premium locations with Allen E. Paulson Stadium, beer is not permitted to leave the designated area. A wristband can be obtained at the check-in located in the Tailgate Zone. This wristband will also be valid for fans with seats in a premium area (Stadium Club, Bishop Club and Club Level).
Due to logistical difficulties associated with the hurricane, only the final five games will feature the Pregame Tailgate Zone. The Eagle Fun Zone will be operating this Saturday.
MAP: gseagles.com/documents/2019/8/15//2019FB_GeorgiaSouthern_GameDay_Gates.pdf
PREMIUM TICKET WRISTBANDS
New for the 2019 season, all premium seating sections (Stadium Club, Bishop Club and Club Level sections 101-113) will require ticket holders to "check-in" with their game ticket and receive an area-specific wristband to be allowed to enter that section. While Eagle Fans of all ages are welcome in any of these sections, those who may drink an adult beverage must also obtain a 21+ verified wristband with a valid ID.
- Stadium Club season ticket holders will receive their wristband and 21+ verified wristband (if applicable) upon entering the Stadium Club.
- Bishop Club season ticket holders will also receive their wristband and 21+ verified wristband (if applicable) at the main entrance to the building.
- Club Level ticket holders will be able to receive their premium seating wristband as well as a 21+ verified wristband on the North Concourse at the Guest Relations window behind section 108.
Please have your game tickets and valid identification ready when checking in. Age verified wristbands will not be given out to anyone without a government-issued ID.
In addition to the ticket-specific areas, fans can receive their 21+ verified wristband at the Pregame Tailgate Zone located in the MC Lot (near Gate 7) starting three (3) hours prior to kickoff.
NO CHAIRBACKS ALLOWED
As a reminder, as announced last year and starting this season, no seatbacks and/or chairs will be allowed to be brought into Allen E. Paulson Stadium. Fans may still bring in one seat cushion or blanket ONLY. Cushions may not exceed 17" in width and can not have backs, pockets, arms or legs. Fans may also lease Eagle Seats on gameday inside Allen E. Paulson stadium at one of the Eagle Seat kiosks located near Gate 8, Gate 12 or behind the Grass Hill section. Eagle Seats are available for bleacher seating, Club Level seating and the Grass Hill. For more information, please visit GSEagles.com/EagleSeats.
The Clear Bag Policy implemented in 2017 is still in effect.
FREE WIFI
Thanks to a generous partnership between Georgia Southern University and Bulloch Broadband, free WiFi is available to patrons entering Allen E. Paulson Stadium. With 32 10-gig access points throughout the football stadium, being able to stay connected while enjoying Eagle football will be easier. Just choose the GoEagles WiFi network and go!
For the full release, click here.
CONCESSIONS
After a lengthy assessment of game day experience and fan surveys, Ibis Catering has been awarded the concessions contract for Georgia Southern athletic facilities starting this fall. A Division of The Clubhouse Family Entertainment Center and BVT Enterprises, Inc., Ibis Catering is located in Statesboro and is run by a group that knows what the True Blue mantra is about and will serve its patrons in that way.
A new and diverse menu, food trucks and Cork's Kettle Corn highlight many of the changes that will be implemented. Here's a sneak peek at the menu board that will be posted inside the football stadium.
For the full release, click here.
NEW ROTARY CORPORATION FIELD OF DREAMS CHECK-IN PROCEDURE
In an effort to create a better game day atmosphere, Georgia Southern Athletics will be implementing a new safety policy to the Rotary Corporation Field of Dreams area inside Allen E. Paulson Stadium for the 2019 football season. These policies will improve the game day experience for all fans and create a safer environment for the children playing on the Field of Dreams.
The entrance to the Field of Dreams is located on the home side of the field nearest Section A and the grass hill seating section. A new stairwell has been constructed to allow safe entry and exit from the area to the concourse.
All participants to the Field of Dreams must have a contact information form filled out by a parent or guardian before entry will be allowed. There are no exceptions to the contact information forms! Parents and guardians only need to fill out the contact information form once throughout the entire football season. Forms completed at previous games will be on record for the remaining home games of the 2019 season and will allow access to the Field of Dreams. Each child will receive a wristband upon completion of the contact information form. They will receive a new wristband at each home football game. Only children with a wristband will be allowed on the Field of Dreams (with a completed contact information form filled out or on file).
The contact information form can be found on our website here. Fans are encouraged to print and fill out the form and bring to the Field of Dreams on game day. The form will be made available at the check-in table at the Field of Dreams and at the Eagle Fun Zone (EFZ) during pregame (the EFZ opens three [3] hours prior to kickoff and closes at kickoff). Parents and guardians may accompany their child to the check-in table to fill out the form or have their child retrieve the form and bring it to their section to fill out. Once again, any child that does not have a Contact Information form filled out and signed by a parent or guardian will not be allowed into the Field of Dreams.
Safety is a top priority at all GS athletic events, and after evaluating the 2018 season, this process was implemented to improve safety for children while keeping a great fan experience at Paulson Stadium. The process is designed to make reconnecting with your child more efficient and help equip staff in case of injury or an emergency situation.
The Field of Dreams will open an hour and a half prior to kickoff when gates open and close at the conclusion of the third quarter.
EAGLE FUN ZONE
The Eagle Fun Zone will remain in the same location at last year (corner of MC Lot) but open closer to game time at three (3) hours prior to kickoff. It will close upon kickoff. Parents/guardians may complete a Contact Information Form at the Eagle Fun Zone to expedite entry into the Rotary Corporation Field of Dreams.
YEARBOOKS
Game programs will be replaced by a yearbook, that will be free and available for pickup. The yearbook will feature bios, history and other aspects that fans will want to keep. The rosters for both teams will be posted in PDF format on the football Twitter feed (@GSAthletics_FB) each Friday for fans to be able to download and access from their mobile devices in the stadium.
GEORGIA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD CANNON
With much excitement, the Georgia Army National Guard will be returning with an M119 Howitzer to celebrate Eagle touchdowns. The cannon will now be located on the home side of the stadium in the same end zone. Ear protection will be available for fans sitting in sections near the cannon, but personal ear protection may be brought in.
However, due to Hurricane Dorian, the ammunition supply point is closed and the National Guard soldiers who operate the cannon have been activated to assist those in need. Therefore, the cannon will not be at the football game against Maine on Saturday, Sept. 7.
Tickets are available to watch the Eagles in action all six times this year. You may purchase them at GSEagles.com/Tickets
