Traveling to Austin to take on the 2005 National Champion Texas Longhorns may seem a daunting task to the Division I-AA Bearkat football team. But they won’t be making the trip alone.
With several tickets sold to Sam Houston State University fans alone, the game has already become a hotspot for many students looking for some school spirit and a good time.
Parking at the game will range from $8-$10 and fans may tailgate in any of the parking lots surrounding the stadium. The gates to the stadium will open two hours prior to kick-off and fans may exit and re-enter the stadium with a valid game ticket stub and a stadium passout stub, available at the gates.
While the main attraction for students traveling to cheer on the orange and white will undoubtedly be the action at Daryl K. Royal Memorial Stadium, students may also find excitement in the streets of Austin far after the stadium lights go out.
Sixth Street, a popular after-hours destination for college students, carries the reputation as one of the best places to enjoy music and dancing in the state. With a wide array of restaurants and clubs unique to Austin, there’s never a shortage of entertainment for students and football fans alike. A full guide to eateries and entertainment venues is available at http://www.6thstreet.com.
Off the beaten path, the Zilker Metropolitan Park and Preserve serves as a natural oasis in the middle of the midst of the city life. The 351-acre park features miles of hike-and-bike trails, an outdoor theater and nearly a thousand feet of natural creek swimming at Barton Springs.
With kick-off scheduled for 6 p.m., many students might opt to stay in Austin overnight and make the drive home the next day. Several hotels in the Austin area offer college student-friendly rates just minutes from the university and Sixth Street areas.
The Econo Lodge, http://www.econolodge.com, in Austin is located just minutes from the downtown-university area and has standard rates starting at $65.
Best Western Seville Plaza Inn, http://www.bestwestern.com, is located four miles from the Sixth Street/Downtown area and boasts rates starting at $89.
The Rodeway Inn University/Downtown is situated just one mile from the downtown area and has rates starting at $95.