Iowa football fans at Kinnick Stadium.
Authorities in Iowa City are hoping football fans celebrate responsibly leading up to a rare night game at Kinnick Stadium tonight. Parking lots outside the stadium open at 7 a.m., meaning some tailgaters could spend 12 hours drinking alcohol before the kickoff. Chuck Green is the University of Iowa’s Public Safety Director.
“Unfortunately, we expect that some people will start drinking early, then go to sleep and then wake up and drink again before even coming to the game,” Green said. “It is a concern that too many people are going to consume too much alcohol.” It’s homecoming weekend at the University of Iowa. The 12th-ranked and undefeated Hawkeye football team hosts Michigan for a 7 p.m. kickoff. More than 70,000 people are expected to attend. Green says law enforcement officers want fans to have fun, but also get home safe.
“We certainly do have a plan. We’re not sharing the total details with the public, but I’m working very closely with Chief Hargadine at the Iowa City Police Department…to make sure that post-game, we’re doing the best that we can to keep things safe and secure,” Green said. Fans are being warned that post-game tailgating and alcohol consumption will not be permitted on U-I property.
“We’ll certainly be encouraging people to leave after the game and shutting down any activity that we see…post-game tailgating or alcohol consumption,” Green said. The University of Iowa will be in the national spotlight tonight. The game is being televised by ABC.