Gator Country

Florida head coach Will Muschamp will oversee his first spring game with the Gators on Saturday. / photo courtesy of UF Communications

The University of Florida’s 2011 Orange & Blue Debut, presented by Scotts, will kick off Saturday at 12 p.m. at Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. This year’s debut will consist of four 12-minute quarters with a running clock. The clock will stop during the two-minute drill at the end of each half.

The first-team offense will represent the Blue team, while the second-team offense will score for the Orange team. The first-team offense will square off against the first-team defense, while the second-team offense will face the second-team defense.

Regardless of Orange or Blue team designations, the offense will wear blue jerseys and the defense will wear white.

Please note that all game format guidelines are subject to change.

Guest Media Coaches

A new addition to the Orange & Blue Debut in 2011 will be the inclusion of special guest coaches from select media outlets throughout the state. Guest coaches for the Blue team are Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun and Joe Henderson of the Tampa Tribune. The Orange team’s guest coaches are Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel and Steve Russell of WRUF Radio.

2011 ORANGE & BLUE DEBUT EVENT INFORMATION
Tickets
On game day, fans can purchase tickets at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium from ticket booths on the West side of the stadium near Gates 1 and 3 and also from Gate 13. The O’Connell Center ticket booth at Gate 1 will also be open. All ticket windows will open at 8:00 a.m. Gates will open at 10:30 a.m.

Fans are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets in advance of game day to avoid long lines at the ticket window. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Gator Ticket Office located in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during business hours, online through Gatorzone.com or by phone (1-800-34-GATOR).

There are a limited number of FREE tickets available at Florida Farm Bureau locations. Admission is also free with valid ID cards for UF Students, Gator Boosters, Alumni Association members and F Club members.

Great Gator Yard Sale
The Gator SportShop’s annual Great Gator Yard Sale begins at 8:00 a.m. outside of the Gator SportShop by Gate 9.

Verizon Gator FanFest
The FanFest will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday in the north grass of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The event will have games, food, giveaways, live interviews and more.

Gator Walk
The football team will hold Gator Walk at 9:30 a.m. on the north side of the stadium as they do for normal home games during the regular season.

Punt, Pass and Kick Challenge
The Florida football program and the University Athletic Association, Inc. (UAA) will be holding the inaugural Punt, Pass and Kick Challenge for UF students this week. Registration for the event will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, at the Sanders Practice Football Fields. Quarterfinals and semifinals will take place on Thursday night at the Sanders Practice Football Fields. The top two finalists from the male and female divisions will compete prior to the Orange & Blue Debut at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Pee Wee Football
At 11:35 a.m. on Saturday, children from the Gainesville Boys & Girls Club will participate in a pee wee football game inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Head coach Will Muschamp participated with the same club while he lived in Gainesville as a child.

Broadcast Information
Live television coverage on Sun Sports; GatorVision Online (Subscription-based service, log on to http://www.gatorvision.tv for more information); Live online video via FoxSportsFlorida.com for residents outside the Sun Sports viewing area; Gator Radio Network airing on WRUF-AM 850 and WRUF-FM 103.7 locally, simulcast on Cox channel 946 in Gainesville/Ocala; Gatorzone.com; Sirius Radio channel 122 and XM Radio channel 143.

Parking
· O’Connell Center surface lot – Reserved
· O’Connell Center garage – first-come, first-serve
· Disabled Parking – first-come, first-serve in the O’Connell Center surface lot
· Lemerand Dr. between University Ave. and Stadium Rd. will be closed beginning at 7:00 a.m.
· Post-game traffic on Lemerand Dr. will be southbound ONLY
· Shuttles will be running from the Commuter Lot on Lemerand Dr. starting at 8:00 a.m. They will drop off at the corner of Stadium Rd. and Lemerand Dr.

Gates/Seating
The following gates will be open for entry into the stadium: 1-4, 7, 12 and 15. The upper north and south seating areas will be closed. Gates will open at 10:30 a.m.

First Aid Stations
First aid stations will be located on the north, east and west concourses, as well as in the Champions Club and Touchdown Terrace.

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