2020 Syracuse University Football Media Operations

Media operations for Syracuse University football games at the Dome will be dramatically altered this fall as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As capacity is reduced in other areas of the stadium, so will there be limited media access to the press box as well as the sidelines. These guidelines are prepared in conjunction with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for the safety of all involved and may be adjusted based on the latest protocols.

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Media attending events at the Dome must complete a short online health assessment on the day of the game.
Temperature checks will be administered on site and individuals must affirm that they do not feel ill or have been in contact with an individual who has the COVID-19 virus, among other items in the short form to be completed online. A link will be provided to those who receive credentials.
A face covering or mask must be worn at all times in the stadium and press box.
Media representatives must bring their own face covering or mask that fully covers their nose and mouth, plus any other personal protective equipment they wish to use.
Hand sanitizer dispensers will be available in the press box.

CREDENTIALS AND PARKING
Home Games

Requests for credentials should be made via the credential website (www.SportsSystems.com/Syracuse) on a game-by-game basis.
For the Sept. 26th game against Georgia Tech, the credential site will open on Thursday, September 17th at Noon and will close on Sunday, September 20th at Noon.
Credential requests will begin 14 days prior and close nine (9) days in advance of a game.
Seating will be very limited within the press box due to COVID-19 safety protocol.
Syracuse’s philosophy is to include as many outlets as possible in the limited press box space. Therefore each outlet will be limited to just one on-site reporter. It is the responsibility of the outlet to determine the requested on-site representative of the organization.
To the extent possible with severe space limitations, priority will be given to media outlets based upon those which have regularly participated in Syracuse football news conferences, the reach of the entity and the history of coverage.
A virtual credential, which will offer postgame interview access to off-site media members who would have otherwise have been credentialed under normal circumstances, will be available for request through the credential website (www.SportsSystems.com/Syracuse).

Credential Pick Up and Stadium Access

Credentials must be picked up at the Credential Tent on the TV Deck at the Dome (across from Stadium Control).
Credential pickup begins 2 ½ hours prior to kickoff.
Credentials will not be mailed.
The Media Entrance to the Dome will be Gate H and will open two (2) hours prior to kickoff.
Access to the press box will be via the door at Section 301.
Credentials allow access only to the press box -- or other designated areas for photographers and videographers – and do not provide access to the stands, suites, clubs or other stadium areas.
If you have been approved for a credential and cannot attend because you have exhibited symptoms of COVID-19 or have been around someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the two weeks leading up to that game, or if you know that you will be unable to attend for any reason, you must alert Sue Cornelius Edson (sedson@syr.edu; 315-952-4787) so the space may be reassigned.
Acceptance of a credential acknowledges and assumes risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and the bearer agrees not to use the credential in the event that he or she is sick or symptomatic.

Parking

Requests for parking passes must be made via the SportsSystems credential website.

Away Games

Media interested in covering the Orange on the road should contact the host Communications Director and copy Sue Cornelius Edson (sedson@syr.edu). Seating availability in all press boxes may be very limited.

GAME DAY
Game Notes/Statistics

Game notes and statistics will be available online at Cuse.com; there will be no printed copies provided in the press box.
Live statistics will be available during the event online on Cuse.com and the Syracuse Athletics app.
A pdf of the final statistics will be posted post game on Cuse.com.

Refreshments/Food

Due to the COVID-19 protocols Syracuse cannot continue the pre-game buffet it has provided in the past. A boxed lunch will be available and delivered to each media member at their in the press box or the field level work room.
Bottled or canned drinks will be provided in the press box.

PRESS BOX

Individuals must sit in their assigned seat at the location of their place card or designated booth.
Seats will be properly distanced and place cards may not be moved.
A roster flip card will be provided at each seat.
To the greatest extent practicable, everyone must adhere to physical distancing guidelines (at least six feet apart) while moving within the press box.
A face covering or mask must be worn at all times.

Visiting Radio

The visiting radio booth located in the press box area on the Upper Concourse has a two-tiered seating arrangement with seven-foot long table-tops on each level. It will be up to the visiting radio crew to determine how many individuals they can safely accommodate within this space.

Press Box Hours

The Dome press box will open two hours prior to kickoff and will close two hours after conclusion of the game.
If you anticipate needing additional time postgame, you may wish to work from home or another location.

Postgame

Per policies adopted by the ACC in its 2020 Football Operations Manual, all postgame availabilities will be conducted virtually this season for all member institutions.
Head Coach Dino Babers and select Syracuse student-athletes will be available as soon as possible following games for both home and away events.
On-site media in the press box will be encouraged to bring and use headphones for postgame availability to help ensure quality audio and avoid potential echoes.
Links for the video conference will be provided to media who request access via www.SportsSystems.com/Syracuse or from Tyler Cady (tpcady@syr.edu) at least 48 hours in advance of the game.
Zoom links will be distributed the day prior to the game.

FIELD ACCESS
Sideline Access

Aside from the pool photographers, approved university staff and the televising network approved personnel, no other media representatives are permitted on the sideline. This includes all times including pregame, halftime and postgame, as well as during the competition.

Photography

ACC operations permit one designated pool photographer with access to shoot the game from the sidelines. Syracuse.com and USA Today will provide those images for media editorial usage for coverage of the game and will be uploaded to the ACC Media Portal. Images will be uploaded at halftime and following the game.
There will be no sideline access for any additional photographers per ACC protocols during this pandemic period.
Interested affiliates should email licensing@xosdigital.com to register for the ACC Media Portal and for additional information. Approved affiliates will receive a confirmation email along with credentials to access the ACC Media Portal.
The use of ACC game action provided through the ACC Media Portal remain subject to those restrictions outlined in the ACC News Access Guidelines.

Video

An in-game feed of an ESPN broadcast will be available for designated media via Syracuse University Athletics. To request this arrangement, please contact Sue Cornelius Edson (sedson@syr.edu).
While all Syracuse games will air live on television, video highlights will be uploaded to the ACC Media Portal within about 90 minutes of the conclusion of the game. Interested affiliates should email licensing@xosdigital.com to register for the ACC Media Portal and for additional information. Approved affiliates will receive a confirmation email along with credentials to access the ACC Media Portal. The use of ACC game highlights provided through the ACC Media Portal remain subject to those restrictions outlined in the ACC News Access Guidelines.

WEEKLY COVERAGE
In-Week Access

Current facility guidelines and protocols presently restrict any visitors or guests at the Iocolano-Petty Football Complex. As such, all weekday media availabilities will be conducted virtually by Zoom
A weekly video teleconference with Head Coach Dino Babers will be administered on Mondays of every game week at 11:30 am via Zoom.
Select student-athletes will be available on Tuesday evenings after practice via Zoom.
Approved media representatives will be alerted with the appropriate links and times for the media opportunities.

Protocol for Zoom Media Press Conferences

Q&A Format
Media members should use the “Raise Hand” feature to indicate that they would like to ask a question.
The moderator will call on media members one at a time for their question.
Media members will have the opportunity to ask one question.
The participants will address as many questions as possible during the time allotted.

Any questions on these plans may be directed to Tyler Cady (tpcady@syr.edu) or Sue Cornelius Edson (sedson@syr.edu). We thank you for your coverage and flexibility during this challenging time.

Syracuse University Athletics

2020 Syracuse University Football Media Operations