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ESPN2’s SportsNation Live in Indianapolis All Week
Herman Edwards on the set of SportsNation at Pan Am Plaza in downtown Indianapolis.
By Jennifer Cingari
On behalf of ESPN
http://www.espn.com/sportsnation
WHO:
Colin Cowherd, Host and Radio Host of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, and Michelle Beadle, Host
Special Guest Herman Edwards, NFL Analyst
Performances by The Blue Monkey Sideshow carnival act
Official house band – Indy’s own funk group The Twin Cats
Plus Special Guests
WHAT:
SportsNation invites fans to help celebrate the week leading up to the big game with live broadcasts all week featuring special guests, games and prizes.
This event is open to the public. All ages welcome.
WHERE:
Pan American Plaza, 201 South Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis (across the street east of the Indiana Convention Center)
WHEN:
Live daily from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET / Monday, January 30 through Friday, February 3, 2012
Show Summary
SportsNation is a live sports television show born from the Internet, fueled by fan interaction and focused on fun. The show, which has the youngest and most male audience on the network, features discussions of the day’s hottest sports topics but also smaller stories that generate buzz on the Internet but are overlooked by other shows. Feeding off the theory that if two heads are better than one, 200,000 heads are better than two, SportsNation engages hundreds of thousands of sports fans across the country via ESPN.com’s SportsNation.
The one-hour weekday show airs weekdays at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Follow SportsNation on Facebook (facebook.com/sportsnation) and Twitter (@SportsNation).
Photo credit: Chris Bergin for ESPN.
Super Bowl Village Events for Jan. 31, 2012
Touchdown Alley on South Capitol Avenue at Super Bowl Village. AroundIndy.com staff photo.
By Dianna Boyce
2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee
http://www.indianapolissuperbowl.com/
Indianapolis – Below is the schedule of public events for Tuesday, January 31, 2012, from the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee.
Tuesday’s Highlights
What: Super Bowl XLVI Media Day Fueled by G Series
When: 9:00 a.m.
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium
Who: For the first time ever, fans have the opportunity to attend Super Bowl Media Day and watch thousands of media from around the world interview members of the participating Super Bowl teams on the field of Lucas Oil Stadium.
Super Bowl Village
Theme: Super Sports
Where: Georgia Street
Hours: 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Daily attractions include: Tailgate Town (games & tournaments); Zipline ($10 a ride); Kinect NFL PLAY 60 FanDome; ESPN Broadcast Studio; The Huddle at Circle Centre; lights and pyrotechnics shows; Ice Gurus Randy Finch and Derek Maxfield from Food Network’s Ice Brigade creating ice sculptures; Super Dash; Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders; football field activities and unique street performers.
Tuesday Schedule
3:30 p.m. Greta Speaks (Pepsi Stage – Meridian Street)
5:00 p.m. DJ Helicon & Special Guests (Pepsi Stage)
6:15 p.m. National Anthem performed by Purdue Glee Club
Color Guard by Wright Patterson Air Force Base Color Guard.
6:30 p.m. Venrez (Verizon Stage – Pennsylvania Street)
7:45 p.m. Hunter Smith Band (Pepsi Stage)
9:00 p.m. (approximate time) Synchronized pyrotechnics, specialty lighting and video show
9:00 p.m. Fuel (Verizon Stage)
NFL Experience presented by GMC
Indiana Convention Center
Ticketed Event ($25 for adults, $20 for children 12 and under)
Hours: 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Be sure to enjoy the NFL Experience today for Colts Appreciation Day. Wear your Colts jersey to get a $5 discount. Produced by the National Football League, the NFL Experience presented by GMC is a pro football interactive theme park that offers participatory games, displays, entertainment attractions, kids’ football clinics, free autograph sessions and the largest football memorabilia show ever. Tickets are available by going to www.Ticketmaster.com, calling 1-866-849-4635, or visiting the NFL Experience presented by GMC box office at the Indiana Convention Center. Online purchase orders can also be printed from ticket kiosks onsite at the Indiana Convention Center. Tickets will go on sale one hour before opening daily.
The Huddle
Circle Centre Mall
3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
The Huddle will provide entertainment and dining options for visitors, as well as the LIDS Locker Room with a wide assortment of XLVI Super Bowl and NFL merchandise.
XLVI Roman Numerals Display
South half of Monument Circle
Super Care Clinic
3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Union Station, 300 South Meridian, Suite #145
A full-service urgent care visit center operated by a coalition of Indianapolis-area healthcare facilities. More details at www.indysupercare.org
Transportation and Parking
Monument Circle Update: Due to the overwhelming popularity of the display of the XLVI Roman numerals on Monument Circle and the accompanying light and sound show, the south half of Monument Circle will be closed to more safely accommodate the Super Bowl fans enjoying the attraction.
Missouri Street Update: Due to Media Day scheduled tomorrow (January 31), Missouri St. will be closed from 8:00-10:00 a.m. from McCarty Street to South Street, along with the Exit 79A westbound ramp. There may be additional congestion and delays around Lucas Oil Stadium.
For those with tickets to Media Day, a special Park and Ride shuttle will be available at the former airport long-term parking location.
Motorists should continue to avoid key “pinch” areas due to expected congestion and delays during peak rush hour periods unless traveling to specific destinations along those streets: During afternoon rush hour, avoid Capitol Avenue between Maryland and Washington Streets, Maryland Street between Capitol and Pennsylvania, and Ohio Street between Delaware and Capitol Streets. During morning rush hour, avoid South Meridian and South Illinois Streets north of South Street.
Other tips to avoid traffic congestion/delays:
- Avoid turning left out of parking garages onto two-way streets if congested.
- Don’t block the cross-walks.
- Enter the Super and Bowl routes as far north or south and east or west as possible to more efficiently detour around heavily congested areas.
- Visit www.indianapolissuperbowl.com and use the tools/maps.
- Use public transportation like IndyGo or the Indy Express Bus from Carmel and Fishers.
A Cheap Way to Visit the Super Bowl Village
Standing Room Only on IndyGo Route #8. AroundIndy.com staff photo.
By Bob Burchfield, Editor
AroundIndy.com, LLC
http://aroundindy.com/
I made it downtown for each of the first three days of Super Bowl Village: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Jan. 27-29, 2012. I was concerned that (1) I wouldn’t be able to find a parking place within reasonable walking distance of the festivities for an old guy like me, (2) if I could, it would cost $20-25 or more per day to park (especially when I noticed in an online article that one prominent downtown venue will be charging $60 for parking this week), and (3) if I inadvertently parked in the wrong place (or even if I didn’t), a certain notorious wrecker service might tow my car anyway, which could cost a couple of hundred dollars or more to get it back.
So I made a dramatic decision (at least dramatic for me): I decided to try the IndyGo bus system. And so I have good news and bad news to report to you. Which would you like first? The good news? OK…
GOOD NEWS
The open-rate bus fare is only $1.75 per ride (exact fare required, no change given). This means that all three days I only spent $11.50 (twice I didn’t have exact change and had to pay $2.00 for those two rides) to get to and from Super Bowl Village. Three days of parking would have cost me at least $60-75 in downtown Indianapolis, maybe more depending upon what was available.
On the real: I talked to a couple on Sunday who told me that they parked on the street for free in a metered space on Delaware, near Michigan Street, and walked to Super Bowl Village. This would be about a six or seven-block walk to Monument Circle, a couple of blocks more to get to the Village.
If I hadn’t stopped for something to eat, $11.50 is all I would have spent for THREE DAYS, because all the outdoor activities such as the Super Bowl Village concerts are free. The NFL Experience inside the Convention Center is a ticketed event, but other than that, I was able to see the Indy Super Cars, the XLVI Roman Numerals on Monument Circle, the food truck festival, the concerts, the Huddle After Hours, the Zipline, Pan Am Plaza, and the other downtown attractions without spending a penny (if you want to ride the Zipline, it’s $10).
So on Friday I rode the #22 bus from the south side. It was only 12 minutes late–tolerable for a Friday evening rush hour. It delivered me to Ohio and Meridian, just one block from Monument Circle (where the Indy Super Cars and the food trucks were located). From there it is just a two-block walk south on Meridian to Super Bowl Village on Georgia Street. Perfect.
On Saturday and Sunday I rode the #8 bus from/to Washington Square Mall to the Ohio/Meridian stop. The return trip eastbound was from the Ohio/Illinois stop, just around the corner from Monument Circle. All four trips to and from were standing room only on the #8 (see photo above), and all four buses arrived at their stops on time (the Sunday westbound bus arrived at Ohio/Meridian ahead of schedule!).
BAD NEWS
The last #31 bus on Friday night for the return trip to the south side was 36 minutes late arriving at Ohio/Meridian for its 8:10 p.m. stop. We got to the bus stop at 7:55 p.m. (because it was the last run of the night and we wanted to make sure we didn’t miss it). So we waited nearly an hour on a cold evening for a bus we were beginning to think would never show up. And since it doesn’t follow the same route as the #22 inbound, I had to walk about 3/4 of a mile in the dark to get back to my car.
In fairness, I believe the majority of the IndyGo bus system was disrupted by the first day’s activities at Super Bowl Village, and as a result, they couldn’t get through traffic any better than we would have been able to. To their credit, an IndyGo supervisor was parked at the Ohio/Meridian stop and was closely monitoring the progress of each bus route in the system. He even got out of his car to come over and explain the delays to our group of waiting passengers.
CONCLUSION
The IndyGo buses are clean, heated, inexpensive, practically deliver you to the doorstep of Super Bowl Village, and take the hassle out of downtown traffic and parking issues. It’s my understanding that all IndyGo bus rides will be free on Feb. 2-5: Free Rides on local fixed route service (excluding the Green Line Express) and paratransit service (Open Door) from Thursday, February 2 through Super Bowl XLVI Sunday, Feb. 5.
You can download all the route maps and schedules from http://www.indygo.net/. Just don’t be in a hurry and be prepared to wait a bit for your bus if it gets behind schedule. Sounds like a plan to me!
Super Bowl Village Events for Jan. 30, 2012
Village People are today's headliners at the Super Bowl Village. Photo provided by the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee and used with written permission.
By Dianna Boyce
2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee
http://www.indianapolissuperbowl.com/
Indianapolis – Below is the schedule of public events for Monday, January 30, 2012, from the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee.
Monday’s Highlights
What: The 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee will host a press conference with Host Committee members and other key community representatives. Indianapolis is excited to host its first Super Bowl and eager to showcase the community to visitors and media alike. Learn about Indianapolis preparations to host Super Bowl XLVI and its expectations for the week as well as the legacy components that will remain long after the final whistle is blown.
Where: Super Bowl XLVI Media Center
JW Marriott, 10 South West Street, Indianapolis
White River Ballroom B-D, 1st Floor
When: 2:00 p.m.
Who: Mitch Daniels, Governor of Indiana
Greg Ballard, Mayor of Indianapolis
Jim Irsay, Owner and CEO, Indianapolis Colts
Mark Miles, Chairman, 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee
Allison Melangton, President and CEO, 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee
What: Super Baskets of Hope
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
When: 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Who: Volunteers will fill 7,000 Super Baskets of Hope for hospitalized children across America’s 32 NFL cities. The outreach project is a collaborative effort of Riley Children’s Foundation, the Basket of Hope program, and former Indianapolis Colts coach, Tony Dungy. The baskets, full of items that offer inspiration, entertainment, and hope, will be delivered to children in hospitals by NFL players, coaches and regional volunteers. Additional details can be found at www.superbasketsofhope.com.
What: ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Radio begin broadcasting
Where: Pan Am Plaza
When: Various times through Monday, February 6
Super Bowl Village
Theme: Super Community
Where: Georgia Street
Hours: 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Daily attractions include: Tailgate Town (games & tournaments); Zipline ($10 a ride); Kinect NFL PLAY 60 FanDome; ESPN Broadcast Studio; The Huddle at Circle Centre; lights and pyrotechnics shows; Ice Gurus Randy Finch and Derek Maxfield from Food Network’s Ice Brigade creating ice sculptures; Super Dash; Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders; football field activities and unique street performers.
Monday Schedule:
3:30 p.m. Healing Sixes (Pepsi Stage – Meridian Street)
5:00 p.m. Stereo Deluxe (Pepsi Stage)
6:15 p.m. National Anthem performed by Arsenal Technical High School Choir
Color Guard by Indy Young Marines
6:30 p.m. Big Sam’s Funky Nation (Verizon Stage – Pennsylvania Street)
7:45 p.m. Living Proof (Pepsi Stage)
8:45 p.m. (approximate time) Synchronized pyrotechnics, specialty lighting and video show
9:00 p.m. Village People (Verizon Stage)
NFL Experience presented by GMC
Indiana Convention Center
Ticketed Event ($25 for adults, $20 for children 12 and under)
Hours: 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Be sure to enjoy the NFL Experience today for Colts Appreciation Day. Wear your Colts jersey to get a $5 discount. Produced by the National Football League, the NFL Experience presented by GMC is a pro football interactive theme park that offers participatory games, displays, entertainment attractions, kids’ football clinics, free autograph sessions and the largest football memorabilia show ever. Tickets are available by going to www.Ticketmaster.com, calling 1-866-849-4635, or visiting the NFL Experience presented by GMC box office at the Indiana Convention Center. Online purchase orders can also be printed from ticket kiosks onsite at the Indiana Convention Center. Tickets will go on sale one hour before opening daily.
Transportation and Parking Update
Tips for downtown workers and Super Bowl fans for Monday, January 30:
Due to expected congestion and delays during peak rush hour periods, please avoid these key areas unless traveling to specific destinations along those streets:
- Monday morning commuters: Avoid South Meridian Street and South Illinois Street north of South Street. PLEASE NOTE: ESPN will begin broadcasting on Monday morning at 6:00 a.m.
- Monday afternoon commuters: Avoid Capitol Avenue between Maryland Street and Washington Street, Maryland Street between Capitol and Pennsylvania, and Ohio Street between Delaware Street and Capitol Street.
- Avoid turning left out of parking garages when street is congested.
- Don’t block the cross-walks.
- Enter the Super and Bowl routes as far north or south and east or west as possible to more efficiently detour around heavily congested areas.
- It remains important for people to “Know Before You Go.”
Many downtown workers are using IndyGo service. To shuttle more Super Bowl fans from Carmel and Fishers, Indy Express Bus is adding one bus to its weekday commuter service starting tomorrow (Mon.) with a 1:00 p.m. shuttle.
Super Bowl fans with tickets to Tuesday’s Media Day can reserve a parking space and shuttle ride at the west Park & Ride location (former long-term airport parking) starting at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
The Huddle
Circle Centre Mall
3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
The Huddle will provide entertainment and dining options for visitors, as well as the LIDS Locker Room with a wide assortment of XLVI Super Bowl and NFL merchandise.
XLVI Roman Numerals Display
South half of Monument Circle
Free
Super Care Clinic
3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Union Station, 300 South Meridian, Suite #145
A full-service urgent care visit center operated by a coalition of Indianapolis-area healthcare facilities.
More details at www.indysupercare.org
Parking and traffic information, and additional details about the above events can be found on the 2012 Indianapolis Host Committee website, www.IndianapolisSuperBowl.com.
Captain Morgan Donates $25,000 for Free Rides Home on Feb. 5
By Kelly Greenawalt
On behalf of Captain Morgan Rum Company
http://www.captainmorgan.com/
WHAT: Captain Morgan is donating $25,000 to designated driver service BeMyDD to fund free safe rides home for football fans in Indianapolis, Indiana on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012.
Free rides will be available beginning at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, and will run through 2 a.m. ET on Monday, Feb. 6, 2012. Football fans 21 years of age and older in the greater Indianapolis area can call 1-877-U-BEMYDD (1-877-823-6933) to arrange a safe ride home in their own vehicle.
Law enforcement plans to crack down on drunk driving with increased check points across the country on Sunday, Feb. 5 as the day of big game has historically been one of the biggest days of the year for alcohol-related automobile accidents.
To account for the influx of visitors for the game, BeMyDD is working with Captain Morgan to make sure football fans are enjoying the game responsibly and making it home safely.
The donation is being made via the brand’s First Mate Fund, which was established in 2010 to benefit non-profit organizations that support responsible drinking and other community initiatives. To date, Captain Morgan has donated more than $500,000 to charitable organizations throughout the country.
BeMyDD was established to fulfill the need for convenient, safe and affordable transportation. BeMyDD operates in 42 cities, in 16 states, and provides a safe and legal alternative to drinking and driving.
WHEN: 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, through 2 a.m. ET on Monday, Feb. 6, 2012.
For more information, visit the Captain Morgan Web site at http://captainmorgan.com/.
Editor’s Acknowledgment: Taylor Strategy. Captain Morgan logo provided by Taylor Strategy and used with written permission.
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