|
NEWS SERVICES |
T 919-962-2091 F 919-962-2279 www.unc.edu/news/ news@unc.edu |
News Release
| For immediate use |
March 30, 2005 -- No. 142 |
Smith Center big screen welcomes
Tar Heel fans for Final Four viewing
CHAPEL HILL — Area fans are invited to cheer together for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill men’s basketball team Saturday (April 2), viewing the NCAA semifinals broadcast from the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis on the Tar Heels’ home court, the Dean E. Smith Center.
The UNC Department of Athletics, Division of Student Affairs and the Rams Club will sponsor a 15-by-20-foot screen and open 15,000 seats in the Smith Center for free viewing of Final Four festivities.
Carolina students, faculty and staff with university I.D.s will be admitted first, at 5 p.m. Saturday. Doors will open to everyone else at 5:30 p.m. Saturday’s first semifinal, matching Illinois and Louisville, begins at 6:07 p.m. Carolina will play Michigan State in the second game, set to tip 40 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.
Please enter at Entrance A. Once inside the Smith Center, fans are encouraged to remain, as there will not be reentry for anyone leaving the building.
Alcohol is not sold at the Smith Center, nor may patrons bring alcoholic beverages with them to the arena. Other prohibited items include: backpacks or other large bags of any kind, bottles or thermoses, coolers, food, drugs, fireworks, weapons of any kind, noise makers, signs, flags, banners, laser pointers, video equipment and any other items deemed inappropriate by personnel.
Should the Heels advance to the national championship game at 9:18 p.m. Monday, big-screen viewing at the Smith Center will again be offered. Students, faculty and staff with university I.D.s will be admitted at 8 p.m. and everyone else at 8:30 p.m.
"This event will allow everyone to celebrate together in the tradition of spirit and pride that makes the Carolina community so special," said Dr. Peggy Jablonski, vice chancellor for student affairs.
Concessions will be sold. Free parking will be available at the Smith Center off Bowles Drive and in the nearby Kenan-Flagler Business School deck.
Large televisions in lounges of the Frank Porter Graham Student Union also will show the games.
A complete rundown of entry policies for Smith Center events is at: http://tarheelblue.collegesports.com/genrel/110402aab.html.
-30-
Town of Chapel Hill Final Four backgrounder: http://townhall.townofchapelhill.org/police/Press2005/TarheelsNCAAFinal42005.htm
Media advisory: Media representatives wishing to cover Saturday’s Smith Center event should email requests to Karen Moon in News Services at karen_moon@unc.edu, by 5 p.m. Friday. For planning purposes, please list the numbers of vehicles and staff you expect to bring. Media may park behind the Smith Center and then enter through the D entrance beginning at 4:30 p.m.
TV crews may not direct lights into the faces of patrons watching the games. Crews also are asked not to block the views of patrons. Crews planning cable drops from the Smith Center parking lot to the filming area should plan on bringing about 500 feet of cable.
Smith Center contact: Clara Andrews, 962-7777
News Services contacts: Karen Moon, 962-8595 or 218-2467 (cell), or Lisa Katz, 962-2093 or 638-0474 (cell)