I am on the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Committee, Big Ten fan, and a Spartan, born and raised in EL. I now live in Fernandina Beach, right next to where the IU team will be staying.
I also help host the Big Ten team each year so I usually hop on the teams' Rivals site and help info about the game and area. I don't have access to the Premium site so if someone wants to post this there, please feel free.
IU will be the "visitors" so tickets in Sections 30-44 (i.e., 130-144 or 230-244) will be the IU side. The Endzone tickets in sections 146-150 are also a really fun place to watch the game as there is a "Bud Zone" right behind those sections that is more of a "party" atmosphere and there is no charge to hang out there.
The team will be staying at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation. The Plantation is a world-class resort with tons of amenities. They went through a multi-million dollar renovation a few years ago and it is a really cool location. (Tennessee will be staying at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra.) BTW, get ready to get sick of hearing "Rocky-Top"...almost as bad as hearing "Hail to the Victors".
Distance from the Island to the stadium is around 45-55 minutes depending on traffic. Jacksonville is a "wierd" city in that it is very spread out. Trivia note: Jacksonville is the largest city area-wise in the lower 48 states. There is not a lot to do right in the downtown area, but there are pockets all over that are extremely cool.
The bowl website has a list of our hotel and restaurant partners, so you will want to check that out. Also, there is a REALLY good 4 tickets for $75 deal going on to celebrate our 75th game.
The team will practices will be closed to the public, but most of the functions the team will attend are open to the public (they will be at Top Golf one night).
I'll pop back on this board over the next few days to answer any questions. If someone wants to post this to one of your board moderators or make it a "sticky thread", that would be fine.
-sas51
I also help host the Big Ten team each year so I usually hop on the teams' Rivals site and help info about the game and area. I don't have access to the Premium site so if someone wants to post this there, please feel free.
IU will be the "visitors" so tickets in Sections 30-44 (i.e., 130-144 or 230-244) will be the IU side. The Endzone tickets in sections 146-150 are also a really fun place to watch the game as there is a "Bud Zone" right behind those sections that is more of a "party" atmosphere and there is no charge to hang out there.
The team will be staying at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation. The Plantation is a world-class resort with tons of amenities. They went through a multi-million dollar renovation a few years ago and it is a really cool location. (Tennessee will be staying at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra.) BTW, get ready to get sick of hearing "Rocky-Top"...almost as bad as hearing "Hail to the Victors".
Distance from the Island to the stadium is around 45-55 minutes depending on traffic. Jacksonville is a "wierd" city in that it is very spread out. Trivia note: Jacksonville is the largest city area-wise in the lower 48 states. There is not a lot to do right in the downtown area, but there are pockets all over that are extremely cool.
The bowl website has a list of our hotel and restaurant partners, so you will want to check that out. Also, there is a REALLY good 4 tickets for $75 deal going on to celebrate our 75th game.
The team will practices will be closed to the public, but most of the functions the team will attend are open to the public (they will be at Top Golf one night).
I'll pop back on this board over the next few days to answer any questions. If someone wants to post this to one of your board moderators or make it a "sticky thread", that would be fine.
-sas51