CONTACTS
Kyle Clark
Valero Alamo Bowl
100 Montana, Suite 3D01
San Antonio, TX 78203-1033
Phone: (210) 704-6389
Fax: (210) 704-6399
Email: kylec@alamobowl.com
Rick Hill
Valero Alamo Bowl
100 Montana, Suite 3D01
San Antonio, TX 78203-1033
Phone: (210) 704-6388
Fax: (210) 704-6399
Email: rickh@alamobowl.com
2007 VALERO ALAMO BOWL MEDIA SCHEDULE
(as of December 27, 2007 at 9 a.m./Subject to Change, All Times CST)
This schedule will change. Please check back for updates.
With the renovations at both downtown San Antonio Marriott hotels (Rivercenter and Riverwalk), this year the Alamodome will serve as the official media headquarters for the Valero Alamo Bowl and will house media check-in, a workroom, daytime hospitality and the official press conferences. To enter the facility, please use the south loading dock and go the meeting rooms to the left of the field. You do not need a parking pass to park in Lot A Wednesday-Friday.
The San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter (101 Bowie, 210-223-1000) will host overnight accommodations as well as evening hospitality during posted hours in Suite #3629.
For media interviews outside of scheduled press conferences, please contact respective SID representatives in advance.
Thursday, December 27
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. — Media Check-In (Alamodome, Meeting Room M)
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. — Credential Pick-up (Alamodome, Meeting Room M)
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. — Media Hospitality Room (Alamodome, Meeting Room L)
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. — Media Workroom (Alamodome, Meeting Room P)
11:30 a.m. — Media Hospitality Room Catering (Alamodome, Meeting Room L)
Noon —Penn State practice at Alamo Heights High School. First 15 minutes open for photographers only. No player availability.
1:00 p.m. — Texas A&M Press Conference with Offensive Coordinator Les Koenning, Offensive Lineman Cody Wallace and Quarterback Stephen McGee (Alamodome, Meeting Room O)
1:45 p.m. — Penn State Defense Press Conference with Assistant Coach Tom Bradley, Jeremy Boone, Dan Connor, Maurice Evans, Josh Gaines, Sean Lee, Justin King and Anthony Scirrotto (Alamodome, Meeting Room O). This is the final availability for Penn State player interviews.
2:10 p.m. — Texas A&M practice at Trinity University. Photographers allowed for first 20 minutes. Previously requested players available for first 15 minutes of practice only. This is the final availability for Texas A&M player interviews.
6:15 p.m. — Pep Rally (Arneson River Theatre along Riverwalk - Head Coaches and select players speaking with teams and bands on river cruisers as well as b-roll opportunities of fans). Cheerleaders start performing at 6:00 p.m. with pep bands and teams to arrive at 6:30 p.m. Media availability at venue is limited, so please arrive early to secure your space. Directions: Arneson River Theatre is on the river level below Villita Assembly Hall at 401 Villita Street. To drive: take Commerce west and go left at S. St. Mary's and then left on Villita. To walk: go one block west on Market and turn left on Alamo and enter La Villita 1/2 block on the right. Pylons to allow media access behind theatre will be removed by noon.
7:30 p.m. - Team Fiesta Dinner (La Villita Assembly Hall - Private Team Function, no media availability)
10:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. — Media Hospitality Suite (Marriott Rivercenter, Room #3629)
Friday, December 28
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. — Media Check-In (Alamodome, Meeting Room M)
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. — Credential Pick-up (Alamodome, Meeting Room M)
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. — Media Hospitality Room (Alamodome, Meeting Room L)
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. — Media Workroom (Alamodome, Meeting Room P)
11 a.m. — Head Coaches Press Conference with Penn State Head Coach Joe Paterno and Texas A&M Interim Head Coach Gary Darnell (Alamodome, Meeting Room O). This is the final availability for the coaches.
Noon — Wells Fargo Kickoff Luncheon (Convention Center, Ballroom C) This 1,500+ person event features the Head Coaches and select players speaking at a head table with ESPN's Erin Andrews serving as emcee. The rest of the team is in the crowd in jerseys with pageantry from team bands and cheerleaders. Media seating available for first 20 requests at Media Center check-in. Others filled on an "as-available" basis.
Noon — Media Hospitality Room Catering (Alamodome, Meeting Room L)
1:45 p.m. — Penn State team photo at the Alamodome. Photographers can shoot the first 15 minutes. No player interviews.
2:45 p.m. — Texas A&M team photo at the Alamodome. Photographers can shoot the first 15 minutes. No player interviews.
6:30 p.m. — Valero Alamo Bowl Ball (private function, no media availability)
10:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. — Media Hospitality Suite (Marriott Rivercenter, Room #3629)
Saturday, December 29
2:00 p.m. — Media Will Call opens at Alamodome's East Media Entrance opens
3:00 p.m. — Media shuttle from Marriott Rivercenter Commerce Street cutout to Alamodome's Lot A begins. Shuttle runs in a loop until kick-off. The Alamodome's East Media Entrance (east side of building at 50-yard line) is a 12 minute walk from the Marriott.
3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. — AT&T Fan Zone (interactive area with games, food booths and an appearance by the university bands at Sunset Station--one block north of the Alamodome). A crowd of over 25,000 fans is expected.
3:00 p.m. - Midnight — Photographer's Workroom (Alamodome, Meeting Room P)
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. — Pregame Meal in Media Hospitality Room (Meeting Room L)
7:00 p.m. — 2007 Valero Alamo Bowl (The Alamodome)
Post-Game — Head Coaches/Select Players Press Conference (Interview Rooms across from Locker Room A/B). Audio piped into press box and interview rooms directly below press box and easily accessible by the stairs next to the East elevators.
Post-Game — Media Shuttle will run from Lot A until 1 a.m.
Midnight — 2:00 a.m. — Media Hospitality Suite (Marriott Rivercenter, Room #3629)
Sunday, December 30
TBA — Penn State Head Coach Joe Paterno available for media at the Marriott Riverwalk
Texas A&M media availability to be decided.
• All official press conferences at the Alamodome unless otherwise noted.
• Texas A&M will practice at Trinity University.
• Penn State will practice at Alamo Heights High School.
• The Alamodome is an alternate practice site during inclement weather.
• This schedule will change. Please stop by or call Media Headquarters (210-704-6202 or Lara Smedley via cell at 720-261-9415) during Bowl Week for the latest information.
Media Headquarters
Alamodome
100 Montana St
San Antonio, Texas 78203
Media Hotel
San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter
101 Bowie St
San Antonio, Texas 78205
(210) 223-1000
Bowl Week Media Headquarters: (210) 704-6202
Headquarters FAX: (210) 704-6203
Alamodome Press Box Phone (Game day only): (210) 704-6200
Alamodome Press Box Fax (Game day only): (210) 704-6201
Valero Alamo Bowl Media Hospitality
A number of media functions are scheduled during Bowl week. Please consult your media event schedule for specific dates, times and locations. A hospitality room will be open daily at the media headquarters beginning the day after Christmas with food and drinks served around the press conference times. An evening hospitality suite in the Marriott Rivercenter will be available. The suite's hours of operation are posted on the media schedule.
Media Hotel Room Rates
Room rates for the Valero Alamo Bowl media are $109 plus tax. These rates are only valid from December 25-30, 2007. All media rooms must be booked through the bowl office with the online credential form. The Marriott Rivercenter will not accept room reservations directly from media members. Please note that the bowl will not assign rooms until December 15, so the hotel will not have a record of your name until after that date. However, once credentials are confirmed and the hotel has your information, you can work through the hotel to change names as well as arrival and departure information.
Credential Policy
Preference will be given to media who cover all the home and away games of the Big 12 and Big Ten teams playing in this year’s game as well as South Texas media who routinely cover events on the Valero Alamo Bowl’s year long calendar. Media that cover all the home games of either of the two schools receive the next priority.
As a general rule, if either school hasn’t credentialed you for multiple games during the regular season, you won’t be credentialed for the Valero Alamo Bowl.
Credential Guidelines
In addition to the above policy, specific outlets must meet the following guidelines to be credentialed:
- Newspapers: All newspapers must be dailies with a Sunday edition and circulation above 30,000.
- Television: All stations must have regular nightly sports segments with a full-time sports director/talent.
- Radio Stations: Radio stations must have a sports director and regular daily sports shows. These stations must cover either the two teams (as determined by the two team's SIDs) and/or the Valero Alamo Bowl on a regular, year-round basis.
- Photographers: Staff photographers who represent accredited daily newspapers and national magazines are given first preference on sideline credentials. There is no photo space available in the press box. All photographers on the sideline must be carrying professional cameras. No cutline writers, grips or messengers will be allowed in this area due to congestion.
- School Outlets: Maximum of two press, two photo will be provided to designated school newspapers. Maximum of one reporter, one photo pass will be provided to school educational TV. Maximum of one photo pass will be provided to school yearbook.
- Credentials are for official business only and are non-transferable.
- No spouses, dates or children, except those performing in a working capacity, will be allowed in Alamodome media facilities or on the sideline.
- The Alamo Bowl reserves the right to revoke any credential used by individuals not fully accredited, or an individual not in compliance with press box and/or sideline standards.
- NFL, professional football teams: The Valero Alamo Bowl will issue credentials to NFL and professional football scouts on an "as-available" basis. After a capacity number is met, scouts will have to purchase a game ticket.
Photo Credentials
Credentials for sideline photographers will be issued on the same basis of priority as working press. Similarly, photographers must adhere to the following guidelines:
- Photo credentials must be worn in plain sight at all times.
- Anyone wearing a photo credential and not shooting game action will be required to surrender their credential and leave the facility immediately.
- Photographers are permitted on either sideline or endline.
- Persons with sideline access are not permitted within the TEAM BENCH AREA (inside the 25-yard lines) at any time. NO EXCEPTIONS. Persons in violation of this policy will be required to surrender their credential and leave the stadium.
- Persons with sideline access must remain behind the 12-foot restraining line surrounding the field at all times.
- No cameras are permitted in the sideline area other than those shooting in a working capacity for official media organizations. All persons possessing photo credentials must have proper professional equipment and be shooting actual game action.
- Television stations will be allowed to film from the sidelines during the game. However, the Valero Alamo Bowl's contract with ESPN prohibits the use of game highlights on local newscasts prior to the completion of the game. A distribution amp will also be provided adjacent to ESPN’s production truck in the loading dock area of the Alamodome for use by television stations wanting game highlights.
- Credentials will not be issued to TV assistants or “grips.”
- Acceptance of credentials constitute agreement by the bearer and his/her media organization to abide by the conditions as prescribed by the Alamo Bowl.
- All credentials remain property of the Valero Alamo Bowl and must be surrendered upon request.
Media Credentials
Credentials will not be mailed. Individuals may claim all passes issued to his/her media organization. Lost or misplaced credentials will not be replaced. All media credentials remain property of the Valero Alamo Bowl and must be surrendered upon request.
Media Will Call
Credentials not claimed at the media headquarters will be transferred to the Alamodome by 11:00 a.m. on game day at the South loading dock. At 3:00 p.m. Media Will Call will be moved to the east side of the Alamodome at the East Plaza Entrance. A table will be located inside the East Plaza Entrance, with the media elevators also located adjacent to the will call table.
ESPN/Valero Alamo Bowl TV Station Policy
- Television stations will be allowed to film from the sidelines during the game. However, the Valero Alamo Bowl's contract with ESPN prohibits the use of game highlights on local newscasts prior to the completion of the game. A distribution amp will also be provided adjacent to ESPN’s production truck in the loading dock area of the Alamodome for use by television stations wanting game highlights.
- Credentials will not be issued to TV assistants or “grips.”
- Television standup reporters will not be permitted on the sideline during the game. All reporters will be seated in the press box or auxiliary seating area. With five (5) minutes remaining in the game, media will be allowed access to the field.
- Beginning a half-hour prior to kickoff until ESPN is off the air, there will be absolutely no live telecasts or transmissions from inside the Alamodome. Live shots can be originated at any time from outside the Alamodome.
- Microwave transmissions are not permitted within the Alamodome. All satellite dishes and/or ENG trucks must be positioned outside the Alamodome in the designated area located southwest of the building.
Quotes from the press conferences will be placed on the bowl's Web site. To view these quotes, please click here.
Practice Sites
Team practice sites will be Trinity University and Alamo Heights High School. Trinity University is located between the airport and downtown San Antonio, less than 10 minutes from downtown. Alamo Heights High School is located east of Trinity University less than 15 minutes from downtown. The Alamodome is also a possible practice site for each of the teams.
Parking and Media Shuttle
A limited number of Alamodome parking passes for media covering the Valero Alamo Bowl are available.
Media, especially those staying in the media hotel, are urged to utilize the shuttle service provided from the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter Hotel to the Alamodome. The shuttle will pick up from the Marriott`s Commerce Street cutout entrance and drop off in Lot A on the Alamodome's south side and then return to the Marriott. Shuttle service will begin at 3:30 p.m. (3 1/2 hours before kickoff) and run post-game until the press box is empty. The San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter is a 10-minute walk to the Alamodome.
TV ENG Truck Parking
Parking space for TV ENG trucks at the Alamodome, located in the southwest corner of the parking lot, is extremely limited. Please contact Megan Costello at the Alamodome (210-704-6146) as soon as possible concerning a parking location and specific needs.
Coach/Player Interviews
All interviews with coaches and/or players must be cleared through each school’s sports information director. To aid the media in its coverage of the Valero Alamo Bowl, press conferences with coaches and players are scheduled throughout bowl week at the Alamodome. Please consult your media schedule for exact times and locations. If you require specific interview needs, please work through each school’s sports information director.
Fax Service
The Valero Alamo Bowl will provide a fax service upon request at no charge. This service will be provided during bowl week at media headquarters and at the Alamodome on game day. Please notify bowl staff members of your needs and supply fax numbers and telephone billing instructions. Following the game, a pdf of the official stats will be on the bowl's home page and will be e-mailed upon request.
Press Box Telephones/Internet Access
Two (2) telephones are available on a first-come, first-serve basis in the Alamodome press box for third party, collect and credit card calls only. Media outlets requiring telephone and/or internet services for exclusive use must order directly from the Alamodome at (210) 207-3629 at least two weeks prior to game day. The Alamodome will provide telephone instruments on phone orders placed for the Valero Alamo Bowl.
Press Box Monitors
Television monitors are located in the Alamodome press box to assist media in its coverage of the Valero Alamo Bowl. ESPN will provide video with a direct feed to these monitors through the Alamodome’s in-house system.
Mult-Box
A mult-box at mic level will be provided for electronic media at press conferences conducted at the Alamodome. Radio stations need to provide cassette recorders with any combination of mini, alligator clips or RCA cables. TV crews will require normal XLR plugs.
Valero Alamo Bowl Outstanding Players
The Outstanding Offensive and Defensive Player for the Valero Alamo Bowl will be named through media voting. Ballots will be distributed at the beginning of the fourth quarter and collected prior to your departure to the interview rooms.
Alamodome Media Elevators
The Alamodome’s media elevators are located on the east side of the building at the East Plaza Entrance. The writer’s press box is located on the mezzanine level (Level 3), with the broadcast and coaches booths located on Level 4. All media are asked to enter the press box facilities through Level 3. There is easy access through private stairs to Level 4.
Post-game Field Access
The quickest way to get to the field from the press box is through the media pass gate in Section 122. To get to Section 122, take a right out of the press box and go forty yards to the southeast stairwell. Go down one floor to Level 2. Follow the main concourse over three sections and enter Section 122. Take the stairs down to the field. Media can also access the field and the post-game interview rooms by taking the Alamodome media elevators outside the press box and making a left past the lockerrooms.
Post-Game Interviews
Coaches and/or selected players will be available to the media following the conclusion of the game. A formal interview room for each school will be clearly marked and located directly across from locker room A/B. Each school’s sports information office is responsible for overseeing its respective interview room. If you have a question regarding post-game interview procedures please contact each school’s sports information director. Only media with proper credentials will be admitted to the interview rooms. Admission to each school’s locker room will be granted in accordance with each school’s post-game interview policy.
Directions from San Antonio Airport to Marriott Rivercenter (Media Hotel)
Take Highway 281 South, which will turn into Interstate Highway 37 South heading toward Corpus Christi. Exit at the Commerce Street/The Alamo exit and turn right on Commerce. Proceed west on Commerce one block to Bowie St. Marriott Rivercenter will be on the northwest corner. Approximate drive time: 11 minutes.
Directions from San Antonio Airport to Alamodome
Take Highway 281 South, which will turn into Interstate Highway 37 South heading toward Corpus Christi. Exit at the Durango exit and take a left on the turnaround under the bridge and head back north on the Durango access road. Turn right into Lot A. The southside entrance of the Alamodome just past the marquee. Approximate drive time: 11 minutes.
Directions to Trinity University from the Media Hotel
Take Highway 281 North towards the airport. Exit at the St. Mary's/Stadium Drive exit (less than 2 miles). Take a left at Mulberry the second stoplight) and the entrance to Trinity is one block on your right. The football field is in the center of campus next to the baseball stadium. Approximate drive time: 5 minutes.
Directions to Alamo Heights High School from the Media Hotel
Take Highway 281 North towards the airport. Exit at the Basse East exit (less than 3 miles). Take a right on Basse and follow it for 1/2 mile until it intersects with Broadway. Take a right on Broadway and the high school is on your left in less than a 1/2 mile. Approximate drive time: 12 minutes.
