USM Stadium policies for gameday at ‘The Rock’

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) - The University of Southern Mississippi kicks off its 2018 football season on Saturday at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg against Jackson State.

Here are the stadium policies to keep in mind while you’re out enjoying the game, according to the Southern Miss website:

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES Alcoholic beverages, by state law, are prohibited in the stadium. Anyone caught violating this policy may be removed from the stadium.

ARTIFICIAL NOISEMAKER POLICY No artificial noisemakers, including cowbells are allowed at any time into M.M. Roberts Stadium.

BANNERS Banners may be carried into the stadium but sticks used to display banners are prohibited. Any banner deemed inappropriate by event staff may be removed.

CLEAR BAG POLICY Only one clear plastic bag no larger than 12x6x12 inches, or a one-gallon, resealable clear plastic storage bag, per person will be admitted into the athletic venue. Fans will also be allowed a small clutch purse not to exceed 4.5x6.5 inches.

Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at Gate 2 on the west side of the Stadium where the bag will be checked and tagged.

No other bags will be allowed inside athletic venues, including M.M. Roberts Stadium. All items, including clear bags and clutch purses, are subject to search at the gates.

Please click here to see chart below regarding approved and non-approved items.

EAGLE PERCHES Chairback seating will be available for purchase during each home game. See the boy scouts kiosk inside of each entrance gate for more information.

FIELD REGULATIONS No one is allowed on the field during the game without proper credentials. Stadium ramps may be used for exiting the stadium. Fans will be ejected from the stadium for throwing objects. Fans are not permitted onto the field after the game until the teams have left the field.

FOOD/DRINK Fans are not permitted to bring food items or beverages into Roberts Stadium.

FORREST GENERAL HOSPITAL MOTHER'S LOUNGE Forrest General and Southern Miss have partnered to provide nursing moms with a Mothers' Lounge to use during football games this football season. This would provide nursing mothers with a quiet, private place to care for their babies.

The Mothers' Lounge is part of an ongoing initiative at Southern Miss to make their games fun for the entire family. It will be conveniently located at Cook Union on the second floor in room 215. To return to the game after nursing, moms and guests will need to present their ticket stubs at the gate. Mothers are able to bring bags with their pumps, but the bags will need to be checked and tagged at Gate 2 before entering the game. If pumps are carried in a clear bag, no checking is required.

GOLF CART POLICY Only authorized vehicles will be allowed access to the stadium's inner security perimeter starting three hours before kickoff. All fans must obey all barricades and signage. Only Southern Miss vehicles, law enforcement, fire, medical, or the official Southern Miss game day shuttle/escort service will be allowed access to this secured perimeter. No privately owned golf carts or other non-traditional modes of travel will be authorized.

The University Police Department also reminds all those who bring a golf cart or other modes of non-traditional transportation on to campus that they are considered vehicles under state law and should abide by all of the Rules of the Road (Mississippi Traffic Code) as well as campus policy that would govern a non-traditional vehicle and to include only licensed drivers, insurance, tag and proper equipment.

Please click here to see the restricted golf cart map area as well as by clicking here for the campus policy governing non-traditional vehicles.

HANDICAPPED ACCESS AND SEATING Accessible seating is located through Gates 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Accessible seating areas are located in Sections B, H, K, 110, 115, and in premium seating sections. For rides from your parking lot to the stadium, simply ask your parking attendant to radio in for a handicapped shuttle and a golf cart will pick you up.INFORMATION There are information booths located inside and outside the stadium. They are located near the four corners outside the stadium: northeast on Eagle Walk, adjacent to gate 9, southeast right off of Eagle Walk across from Gate 6 and in front of the Kinesiology building, northwest adjacent to the Duff Athletic Center, and the southwest corner adjacent to the Hub. Inside the stadium they are located near the center of each of the east and west concourses on the upper and lower levels.

LOST AND FOUND Items can be reported missing or claimed at one of the Guest Information Booths centrally located in each concourse throughout the stadium.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE Medical personnel are provided by AAA Ambulance and are located throughout the stadium. Please alert any uniformed event management personnel if assistance is needed.

MOBILITY ASSISTANCE For patrons that need assistance getting from their parking lot to the stadium or from the stadium to their parking lot, they can ask their parking attendant to contact a golf cart for transportation, or they can request it themselves by calling (601) 266-4986 for this free service offered by Southern Miss.

PASSOUTS Passouts are permitted throughout the game with hand stamp and ticket.

PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM Please do not ask to have persons paged or announcements made over the P.A. system. Contact security personnel for emergencies.

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE Requests for assistance should be directed to security personnel or stadium ushers, who are located at ramp entrances throughout the stadium.

RESTROOMS Restrooms are located on both the upper and lower main concourses as well as the South End Zone lower concourse and throughout all premium seating areas.

SMOKING By state law, the seating area in Roberts Stadium is a smoke-free area, and smoking is permitted only in designated concourse areas.

TICKETS (GAME DAY SALES) Tickets can be purchased on the day of the game (if available) from the box office located outside Gate 3 on the southwest corner of Roberts Stadium. Tickets are also available at the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office located at the corner of West Fourth Street and Golden Eagle Avenue. The Ferlise Athletic Ticket Office closes 3 1/2 hours before kickoff. The stadium ticket office opens three hours before kickoff.

USHERS Ushers at Roberts Stadium are here to help in any way possible. Please request assistance in finding your seat, for directions, or any part of the stadium, or for other needed assistance.

PROHIBITED ITEMS Umbrellas, food/drink containers, bottles, cans, thermoses, ice bags, ice chests, large cameras, flags, video cameras/cases, strollers or any items deemed hazardous by game management personnel will not be allowed in the stadium. Law enforcement officials have the right to inspect any item at any time for the purpose of spectator safety.

Prohibited items must be returned to vehicles or disposed of before entering the stadium. There are no provisions to check items at the gates. Alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited. Chairbacks larger than a single seat are prohibited.

For more information, go to SouthernMiss.com.