Oct. 28, 2009

DeKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois University has announced updated stadium policies and tailgating guidelines for the remainder of the 2009 football season. The Huskies play at home for the first time in four weeks this Saturday as they play host to Mid-American Conference foe Akron beginning at 11 a.m. at Huskie Stadium.

In keeping with increased security measures being taken at venues across the country, Northern Illinois will limit the size of bags brought into Huskie Stadium, and all items carried into the stadium will be subject to search. The Huskies strongly recommend that guests bring only essential items such as tickets, into the game as items not allowed into the stadium will not be stored and must be returned to your vehicle. In addition, anyone attending the game may want to leave extra time to make their way into the stadium.

Prohibited items at Huskie Stadium include:
• Umbrellas
• Confetti (including shooters and poppers)
• Outside food and drink of any kind
• Noisemakers (except Thunderstix)
• Flags or banners on poles
• Large bags or backpacks
• Bags larger than 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" x 4" (smaller bags will be searched but are permitted)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Firearms or weapons of any kind

Examples of items which will be subject to search include:
• Diaper bags (must have baby items inside)
• Medical bags
• Stadium seats
• Blankets
• Shopping bags (recent purchases from Village Commons Bookstore tent)

Northern Illinois also will be reminding fans of the university's tailgating policies through e-mails and handouts in the stadium parking lots. For Saturday's 11 a.m. kickoff, the Huskie Stadium lots open five hours before the game. Glass bottles and containers are not permitted in the lots; cans and plastic containers and bottles are acceptable. Charcoal should be disposed of in the cans located throughout the parking lots, and frying devices of any kind are prohibited. Fans are also reminded that Huskie Stadium is a no smoking facility.

Finally, NIU has initiated a new Text Assist program at Huskie Stadium this season. Fans who need assistance during the game, can text the word "assist" followed by a space and their seat location, to 87415, and stadium personnel will be dispatched to that location.

"We want to thank all fans for helping us make Huskie Stadium a safe and secure environment," said NIU Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeff Compher.

These guidelines will also be in effect for Northern Illinois' upcoming home games versus Eastern Michigan on Thursday, Nov. 5 (6:30 p.m. on ESPNU) and Ball State on Thursday, Nov. 12 (Time TBA). Tickets for all three games are on sale through the NIU Athletics Ticket Office at the Convocation Center (815-752-6800) and on-line at www.NIUHuskies.com.

-- NIU --

For all the latest news on NIU sports, read "Huskie Happenings" daily at www.NIUHuskies.com.

Northern Illinois University Football

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