IUPD to crack down on tailgating during game time; tickets required

In four years as assistant athletic director for game management at IU, Kit Klingelhoffer has witnessed a police officer assaulted with a beer bottle, a large fight that partially closed down 17th Street and numerous arrests for anything from disorderly conduct to public urination. All took place in the parking lot.\nThis year he and other members of the athletics department created a policy in hopes they would curb what he called "unruly behavior."\nThe Indiana Football 2005 Fan Guide says, "Parking lots are reserved for those attending the football game, and patrons who enter these lots are expected to have game tickets." Any tailgate activities for all participants, even those with tickets, are expected to conclude within ten minutes after kickoff, according to the fan guide.\nKlingelhoffer said the policy will be enforced by IU Police Department. \nBut Capt. Keith Cash of the IUPD said they don't have the manpower to ask every individual in the parking lot for a ticket, much less escort them out.\n"With whatever officers we have, we'll try (to do our best)," Cash said.\nKlingelhoffer admits clearing the entire parking lot around Memorial Stadium is a lofty objective. He is more concerned with large groups congregating and becoming rowdy.\n"We've got to be concerned with the safety of every person," Klingelhoffer said. "To say we'll kick everyone out is unfair. We can't monitor what everybody is doing. It will be selective."\nHe said IUPD has the authority to enforce the policy if need be and by whatever means they deem necessary, including arrests.\nAnyone who enters the parking lot on game day will receive a pamphlet that outlines policies and guidelines of parking lot behavior.\nThe policy was written during the summer when Klingelhoffer and Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Student Services Jack Garrett started a drive to include it in the fan guide. In doing so, they received the endorsement of IU Athletics, the IU Athletics Committee, the Office of the Dean of Students and IUPD.\nJunior Renee Lauver has tailgated before, and is upset with the new policy.\n"Don't most really good tailgating parties last all football game?" she said. "You paid for your ticket, you paid to park, so they have no right to kick you out."\nShe said the athletics department is justified for wanting to make the parking lot safer, but she thinks limiting the amount of time tailgaters have will only hurt school spirit.\n"Tailgating at football games is a tradition, right? So it's just another thing they put down to make less fun," she said. "Are they just trying to get people in the game?"\nPete Rhoda, director of athletic media relations, said getting fans into Memorial Stadium is one aim of the policy.\n"You've seen the ads," Rhoda said. "Crowds help win games. It's a combination (of security and attendance). Our directive is creating the best game-day experience possible."\nHe points out that student season ticket sales are up 56 percent from last year. \nGarrett agrees the policy has helped increase the number of tickets purchased. \n"What we're trying to do is incite some excitement with the fans and get them into the stadium," he said. "We want fans to enjoy the game from in the stadium and not from across the street."\nSome students think the policy will be beneficial.\nJunior John Thoe, who tailgates with his fraternity Sigma Chi, said though he doesn't agree with the limitations on tailgating, he can appreciate part of the policy.\n"Attendance should rise, and I've always wanted to go to a big football school," Thoe said. "So, that should be a plus." \nIf the policy is too strictly enforced, though, Thoe said he might stop coming to the stadium altogether.\nKlingelhoffer worries about the reaction tailgaters might have and stresses the importance of safety in the policy.\n"We're not a Gestapo agency," he said. "People are going to say, 'This is one more thing against the students,' but that's not what we're about. We want to create a safe environment."\nBut will it work?\nLauver doesn't think so.\n"Maybe they will tone it down," she said. "But, honestly, I think people will find a way to do whatever they want to do."\n-- Staff Writer James Klaunig contributed to this report.