With a 7:30 p.m. kickoff planned Wednesday (Oct. 22) for the final Big East match-up between WVU and Virginia Tech, Morgantown and University officials have had to do their share of the”Hokie Pokie”to get parking lots emptied and traffic routed around rush hour.

“A night game in the middle of the week presents us with lots of unique challenges,”said Vice President for Student Affairs Ken Gray,”but we are dealing with them in a proactive way.”

Some of the issues, he noted, include a week night game with classes in full sessiona hospital with associated health sciences clinics in operationshared fan and employee parking lots.5 o’clock traffic coupled with fans arriving for the game.

Well, you get the picture.

The good news, Gray said, is that these scenarios have been well thought out by University and City officials, and while there will no doubt be traffic and parking inconveniences, plans are in place and being communicated.

“But, no matter how far in advance we plan and communicate, traffic and parking are still going to be major issues on game day,”Gray pointed out.”We are just asking for everyones cooperation, ingenuity and patience.”

Gray said hes heard from some employees who are planning to car pool on Wednesday; others are walking; still others are flexing their work day. Public schools have a staff development day on Wednesday, so students and school buses will not be on the road to compound traffic woes.

“Anything folks can do to minimize traffic congestion will be appreciated,”Gray said.”And, the earlier you set out for the game, or home, the better.”

Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff, officials announced, and the student tailgating area known as”The New Pit”will be in operation two hours before kickoff, featuring live entertainment. The area closes at game time.

A special patriotic halftime performance is also being planned by the Mountaineer Marching Band. (See related story.)

Students, employees and the general public are also reminded that the PRT is running that day and will continue to run for an hour and a half after the game. The ride is free for those with University ID; 50 cents for others. University buses will run on their regular schedule.

WVU s Alumni Association will host a pre-game reception at Erickson Alumni Center for alumni and friends from 3-6 p.m. Guests are encouraged to park in the Krepps Park parking area across the street; cost $5 per vehicle.

Chief Bob Roberts from WVU s Department of Public Safety said security staffing for the game will be increased to accommodate the expected attendance. Traffic, however, will be handled the same as if it were a Saturday night game. Traffic units should be in place three hours prior to kickoff and drivers will continue to exit on 705 and use Interstate 68 following the game. Win or lose, he added, good fan behavior is expected and safety is paramount.

“West Virginia University fans are unique in their support for our teams,”Roberts added, while encouraging fans to consider adopting the following Code of Conduct:

• Display good sportsmanship and respect all players, coaches and officials.

• Act appropriately: Do not taunt or disturb other fans. Enjoy the game together.

• Cheer good plays of all participants; avoid booing opponents.

• Cheer in a positive manner and encourage fair play. Profanity and objectionable cheers or gestures are offensive.

• Help provide a safe and fun environment. Throwing objects on the playing surface can cause injury to players and officials.

• Do not lean on or over the railings for your safety.

• Be responsible for your own safety and remain alert to help prevent accidents.

• Be supportive after the game, win or lose. Recognize good effort, teamwork and sportsmanship.

Roberts noted that fans that disobey any rules or laws, including trying to remove goal posts, throwing objects or starting trash bin or street fires will be dealt with accordingly through law enforcement or University disciplinary measures, or both.

“If you have a question or a problem, contact the event staff or a uniformed officer for assistance,”he advised.

Gray said public service announcements, scoreboard messages, print ads, letters and other means of communication have also been planned to encourage spirited, respectful behavior. These messages come from various voices ranging from student leaders and athletes to coaches and administrators.

Three students are currently facing disciplinary action following inappropriate behavior after the Oct. 2 WVU -Miami game. One was identified through a photograph that ran in the local newspaper; two others through police reports.

“Local fire, police and University officials stand together in a zero tolerance policy against fires and destruction of property,”Gray said.”Such activity can result in charges and citations and University sanctions that could include expulsion.

“We ask that students watch out for each other; if they see a friend start to get involved in some inappropriate behavior, try to discourage them or report the actions to the appropriate authorities,”he added.

Athletic officials remind fans that good tickets remain for the game. To order, call the Mountaineer Ticket Office at 1-800-WVU-GAME.

Below are some further game day plans as they relate to parking:

Season Permit Parking Holders in Stadium and Surrounding Lots (managed by WVU ):

• The parking lots will open to RVs at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 22 and at 5 p.m. for all other vehicles. Any vehicle that is in the lot with a football parking pass before those times will be towed; this measure is being taken to ensure adequate parking for employees and patients.

• RVs must vacate the lots by 2 a.m. to allow clean-up for regular Thursday hospital hours.

Parking for Law School:

• For security purposes, the Law Library will close at 6 p.m.; the Law Center will be locked at 7 p.m.

• The parking lots will open to RVs at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 22 and at 5 p.m. for all other season parking permit holders.

• Paid parking permit holders in Areas 76 and 42 may pick up a special parking pass Monday, Oct. 20, after 10 a.m. at the receptionists desk in Room 100 to be used on game day, Oct. 22. The following restrictions will apply:

• The paved portion of Area 76 to the left of the flagpole must be vacated by 11 p.m. Oct. 21 and parking will not be permitted on Oct. 22 because of game day operations.

• Do not park in the”pass through”parking space in Area 76 between the stadium and Area 42 on Oct. 21.

• Students who have classes that end no later than 3:15 p.m. on Oct. 22 and faculty and staff who will be working that day, will be issued a color-coded parking pass that will permit them to park in the two Area 76 gravel lots and Area 42 until 3 :30 p.m., when they must vacate the parking areas.

• Those students, faculty or staff who have classes or work obligations beginning at or continuing after 3:30 p.m. will be given a different color-coded parking permit that will allow them to remain in law school parking until 5 p.m. or until class is over.

• Only those individuals, faculty, staff, students and continuing legal education (CLE) participants who have the red football parking permits will be permitted to park in law school Area 42 after 5 p.m. Oct. 22.

Parking for Patients/Visitors at RCB Health Sciences Campus Clinics:

• Special parking has been set aside for patients who have clinic appointments on Oct. 22 until 3 p.m. For patients who need to stay at Health Sciences past that time, please talk with clinic staff who will direct you to a special area.

Please Note : Dental Clinics will remain open the entire day; Family Medicine and Cancer Center Clinics will close midday.

Parking for WVU Health Sciences Employees:

• The Health Sciences Center will remain open all day on Oct. 22 and classes will remain in session along with the HSC Library.

• Lots 80 and 84 will remain open for paid permit employee parking until 5 p.m. Oct. 22; residents will park in Lot 80 (east side of building toward NIOSH ) on game day. Most of Lot 81 will be available until 5 p.m. on game day, except for the portion along Van Voorhis Road. Lot 201 will be closed on game day and permit holders should park in Lot 81.

Parking for WVU Hospital Employees, Residents and Faculty:

• Normal parking and driving patterns will be disrupted on Oct. 22 due to the game. Additional parking areas have been secured at the edges of campus for employees; security and shuttle service will be provided to and from these lots.

• All parking areas between the Hospital and Mountaineer Feild, and along Willowdale Road, will become reserved game parking as of 4 p.m. Oct. 22. Cars parked in these lots without a football season parking pass may be towed after 4 p.m., so those working past 3:30 p.m. should park in the alternative areas (see below).

• Lot F-3, the Teal Lot, along Willowdale Road, is closed all day Oct. 22.

• Game day parking passes for designated hospital areas will be available from employee units or from WVUH Security before game day.

• Hospital employees who also hold WVU season parking passes may leave vehicles in the football lots, but must display both passes.

• Alternate parking locations:

• WVUH Nurses, Clinical Associates and Support Associates: upper and lower lots of Prete Building on University Ave., 5:30 a.m. Oct. 22-8 a.m. Oct. 23. Shuttle service to and from Ruby provided.

• WVUH Ancillary and Support Staff working the evening shift: CERC Building off WV 705 near Sheetz, 3 p.m. Oct. 22- 7 a.m. Oct. 23 (NOTE: Those on night shift may park in Area 80.) Shuttle service to and from Ruby provided.

• Residents, Faculty on Call, Family House Staff: Park in WVU Area 80 during the day and evening hours; display game day pass. All cars should be removed by 8 a.m. Oct. 23.

• Emergency patients, family visitors and POC staff working after 3 p.m.: Use new Gold South parking garage beside the Emergency Department. Cars must be removed from the garage by 8 a.m. Oct. 23.

Parking for Areas 200-201-81

• Area 200 parking permit holders (down the hill from law school) must move to the Coliseum by 11 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21. You may return to area 200 at 7 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23. Any vehicle left after 11 p.m. Oct. 21 will be towed to the Coliseum. Area 201 parking permit holders (across from Ronald McDonald House) must move to Area 81 (below the Med Center PRT station) by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21. You may return to area 201 at 7 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23. Vehicles must be moved from Area 81 by 4:30 Wednesday, Oct. 22. Any vehicle left after 11 p.m. Tuesday will be towed to the Coliseum.