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DeKALB, Ill. – A rainy September and a week of rain in DeKalb leading into Saturday's home game versus Ball State means the grass parking lots surrounding Huskie Stadium have become saturated. As a result, NIU Athletics has announced several changes to game day parking lots and to The Yard, the free pregame gathering area usually located in the grass lot on the West Side of Huskie Stadium.
 
Due to very soggy conditions, The Yard, including the Huskie Athletic Fund tent, Kids' Zone and stage - this week featuring the popular band "Back Country Roads" – will move inside to the Kenneth and Ellen Chessick Practice Center. The Yard will open at 11:45 a.m. with all hospitality areas and displays originally scheduled for the west grass moved inside the Chessick Practice Center. All fans are invited to enjoy the pregame festivities, including a 1 p.m. Pep Rally with the Huskie Marching Band and Silverettes, in The Yard.
 
For the Ball State game only and to ensure that vehicles do not become stuck in the grass and mud, the East and West Lawns, as well as the Track Lawn, the RV Lawn and the Stevenson Lawn will be CLOSED to ALL VEHICLES. The temporary parking locations for pass holders in those areas are as follows:
 
West Lawn: West Lawn parking pass holders will be directed to the north end of parking lot C2 across from the main entrance of the Convocation Center.  Access to this lot will be via Stadium Drive West, turn left past the NIU Track & Field and Soccer Complex and enter C2 on the left.
 
VIP/Brigham Society:  Pass holders for these areas on the West Lawn will be directed to designated spaces along Stadium Drive West. Enter as normal at Water Tower off of Lincoln Highway. 
 
East Lawn: East Lawn parking pass holders will park in Lot K.  To access Lot K, enter off of Lincoln Highway.
 
East Lawn Student Passes: Students who have East Lawn student tailgating passes will have access to the Rec Center Lot, located adjacent to the Rec Center on Stadium Drive East.
 
K/PS: All vehicles with a K/PS pass will be directed to Lot PS for the Ball State game. To access Lot PS, enter at the Water Tower and take Stadium Drive West, make the second left and Lot PS is located on the left.
 
Stevenson Lawn: Vehicles will park across Stadium Drive West from the Stevenson Lawn in Lot PS. 
 
Track Lawn:  Pass-holders who usually park in the Track Lawn will park in the Water Tower Lot. Take the left prior to the curve and just after the water tower, off of Stadium Drive.
 
RV Lawn: All RVs will park in the Convocation Center Lot C3 for the Ball State game.
 
Note that these changes for Saturday's game affect the grass lots and parking pass holders ONLY and DO NOT affect fans who park in the Convocation Center lots.  All Convocation Center lots remain open and available beginning five hours before game time (9:30 a.m.). 
 
Tailgating is allowed in all temporary locations. If pass holders still wish to utilize their "regular" spots on the grassy areas, access to these areas is on foot only. No vehicles, including for "drop off" purposes will be allowed on the grass.
 
The Huskie game day shuttle bus begins three hours prior to kickoff (11:30 am) and makes regular stops at several locations around the Convocation Center and on Stadium Drive, these are indicated by yellow stars on the map. Shuttles run approximately every 15 minutes and are available for up to 30 minutes, or as long as necessary, postgame.
 
There also are no changes to Fatty's Touchdown Village, the new, partially-covered area in the South End Zone.  Fatty's Touchdown Village opens for pregame tailgating 90 minutes prior to kickoff at 1 p.m. and features reduced prices on beer, soda, water and pizza.  All fans are admitted with their game ticket or mobile ticket. 
 
Fans are also reminded to download their mobile tickets to their phone prior to arriving at the stadium due to unpredictable cell service availability.  
 
Parking pass holders who still have questions should contact the Huskie Athletic Fund at 815-753-1923.
 
Tickets remain on sale for Saturday's "Battle for the Bronze Stalk" between NIU and Ball State. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets for just $15 each using the promo code FAMILY online at NIUHuskies.com through Friday at 11:59 p.m.  Download to your phone and avoid waiting in line at the Will Call Window.  The Ticket Office at Huskie Stadium opens at 11:30 a.m.
 
-- NIU --