Gator Country

Photo by Glenn Danforth

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Kickoff times for the first two University of Florida football games have been set by league television partners, the Southeastern Conference office announced Tuesday.

Florida’s 2008 season opener vs. Hawaii on August 30th is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. and will be televised by Raycom. The Florida-Miami game scheduled for the following week will start at 8:00 p.m. on ESPN.

The University of Florida Athletic Department will roll out a number of heat initiatives for the Hawaii game, similar to last year’s season-opening contest vs. Western Kentucky. These initiatives include, but are not limited to the following:

- Cool Misting Tents in the concourses of the north, south and west sides of the stadium

- Additional fans on east side concourse

- Plastic cups with ice for free at concessions stands

- 12-Ounce waters on sale at concessions stands for $1

- More than 100 Water fountains operational in stadium

- Cooling buses on the east and west side to supplement aid stations

- Officers at gates looking out for fans in heat distress and directing to aid stations

A comprehensive heat plan and additional initiatives for spectators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium will be announced at a later date.

Beyond the first two games, the league TV partners have a 12-day window to select the remaining games on the schedule, with a one-time exception for a six-day window.

All Gator football games can also be viewed tape delay on Sun Sports’ “Breakfast with the Gators” on Sunday mornings and are also carried on the Gator Radio Network.

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