April 10, 2008

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss enjoyed a perfect afternoon here Thursday as they went through their 12th football practice of the spring season in preparation for Saturday's annual Black and Gold Spring Game.

The Golden Eagles enjoyed a 2 ½ hour practice session in shoulder pads and shorts at the Joe P. Park Practice Facility. The Golden Eagles continued its progression of putting in both their offensive and defensive schemes, while going through situation-style scrimmaging at the latter part of the workout.

"We feel like we are where we want to be at this point," said first-year Southern Miss coach Larry Fedora, whose team will practice again Friday before its annual spring game.

Fedora encouraged Golden Eagle fans to come out and enjoy the entire day on the Southern Miss campus as this will be the only chance for the general public to see the team live until its 2008 season opener at home against Louisiana-Lafayette on Aug. 30.

"It is a long time before we have football (in the fall)," Fedora said about the game Saturday. "It is an opportunity for our fans to come watch a baseball game, tailgate and catch some football."

The Golden Eagle baseball team is set to play non-conference foe Arkansas State in a 2 p.m., contest Saturday at Pete Taylor Park/Hill Denson Field and other activities planned on campus throughout the day.

The team will be broken up into two squads and Fedora said the coaches will "run it like a real game."

For those fans that cannot attend the game, the Southern Miss ISP Sports Network will broadcast the game on Rock 104 (104.5, WXRR-FM) with the pregame show beginning at 5:30 p.m. The audio feed is also available through SouthernMiss.com and CSTV All-Access. Please note there is a fee associated with the internet audio feed.

The following is important information for fans regarding Saturday Gameday at The Rock.

Saturday Gameday

Important Phone Numbers
Southern Miss Ticket Office - (601) 266-5418 or 1-(800) 844-TICK

2008 Black and Gold Spring Game Ticket Prices
$10 Adults
$5 Youth (18 and under)

Methods of Payment The Southern Miss Ticket Office accepts cash, checks, MasterCard, AMEX, and Visa for ticket sales.

Pat Ferlise Center
The Pat Ferlise Center, located at the intersection of Fourth Street and Golden Eagle Drive on the campus, is open on game days for ticket sales. Contact the ticket office for opening hours on game days. The Ferlise Center will be open from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., Saturday.

Stadium Ticket Office
The Stadium Ticket Office is located at the northwest end of The Rock/M. M. Roberts Stadium (NOTE: the location has changed due to construction). The Stadium Ticket Office will open at 4 p.m. Ticket sales, will call distribution, and fan assistance issues related to tickets are handled at this location.

Will Call
Ticket orders held at "will call" may be claimed on game day at the Stadium Ticket Office, located at the northwest end of The Rock/M. M. Roberts Stadium (NOTE: the location has changed for the 2008 spring game season due to construction) starting one hour before kickoff. Appropriate ID is required to claim tickets.

Parking
Parking is open this weekend for the spring game.

Trolley Service
The City of Hattiesburg will provide trolley service for to the football game in an effort to help shuttle fans from parking lots prior to the stadium. The trolleys will run two hours prior to kickoff and will continue service through the start of the game. They will operate mainly on the west side of campus in the outer lying lots.

Route
1. Start at the Corner of Kay James and Montague Blvd, driving down Kay James Blvd towards the Coliseum.
2. Turn right onto M.K. Turk Circle and go halfway around exiting M.K Turk Circle and turning right onto 4th Street.
3. Take 4th Street past Golden Eagle Avenue and turn Right onto Eagle Walk.
4. Turn Right from Eagle Walk onto Black and Gold Boulevard, letting people out at the stop sign and crosswalk just past the Athletic Center
5. Continue down Black and Gold Boulevard until it stops at Golden Eagle Avenue and turn left on Golden Eagle Avenue.
6. Turn Right onto Montague Blvd. and continue the route from #1

Trolley Stops
Trolley Stop #1 Corner of Kay James Drive/Montague Boulevard
Trolley Stop #2 Corner of M.K. Turk Circle/Kay James Drive
Trolley Stop #3 Corner of M.K. Turk Circle/West 4th Street
Trolley Stop #4 Black and Gold Drive just past the Athletic Center

Gates
Gates at The Rock/M. M. Roberts Stadium open 60 minutes prior to kickoff.

Re-Entry Guests needing to leave the stadium and return must obtain a stamp on their hand from the gate attendant. Both a stamped hand and a valid ticket stub are required for re-entry.

Fan Safety
In an effort to assure fan safety, the Southern Miss Department of Athletics has increased its security staff for home football games and has come up with the following measures that will be implemented at home games. The Department of Athletics thanks everyone for his/her understanding of and cooperation with its efforts to give the fans utmost security and comfort.

Fans are encouraged to arrive at the stadium gates early
* Gates will open 60 minutes prior to kickoff
* Prohibited items: Umbrellas, food/drink containers, bottles, cans, thermoses, ice chests, any artificial noisemakers, back packs, carry bags, video cameras/cases, flag poles, or any other items deemed hazardous by game management personnel.
* Fans are instructed not to bring bags (purses, etc., unless absolutely necessary)
* Law enforcement officials may inspect any item at any time
* Police on high alert for all cars parked near stadium to insure they are parked properly and have a parking pass. Unauthorized vehicles will be towed immediately.
* Established a "no fly zone" over the stadium for 3,000 ft. with a three (3) mile radius