Bethune-Cookman Media Relations

The B-CU Office of Sports Information is available to assist you with coverage of the Bethune-Cookman athletics program. The Office of Sports Information is located in the Wildcat Athletic Complex on the left side of the building as you enter into the main entrance. You may also ask the Athletic Department Secretary for assistance as you enter the building.

For information regarding credentials, interviews, statistics, press conferences, etc., please call the Office of Sports Information at (386) 481-2278 or e-mail stambaughm@cookman.edu

Football Media Credentials

Requests for working press and photo credentials and parking at Bethune-Cookman home football games should be made in writing on station/newspaper/ magazine letterhead. The mailing address is 640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114. Requests may be sent via fax (386.481.2238), but all requests should be sent promptly so they reach the Office of Sports Information at least one week prior to the game.

Because of the demand for credentials, media agencies that cover Bethune-Cookman and the visiting school on a regular basis and on immediate deadline will receive top priority. The University does not discriminate based on age, gender, orientation, race or religion.

Credentials will be mailed or they may be picked up before 5 p.m. on Fridays prior to the game in the Sports Information Office. Those credentials not picked up by 5 p.m. on Friday will be left for Saturday pickup at the Municipal Stadium Will Call ticket window beneath the Press Box. The Will Call window opens two hours prior to kickoff.

Football Media Access and Parking Municipal Stadium

Access for the media is at the Media Pass/Gate entrance located on the left side of the gated entrance underneath the press box in the South parking lot. The working press level is on Level 3 with the photo and television level on Level 4. The second level of the press box is Bethune-Cookman University president Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed's private suite, and it is closed to the media and public at all times.

Parking at Municipal Stadium is always at a premium, with a limited number of spaces allocated to the media and members of the Bethune-Cookman University athletic staff. This area is located on the right side of the South parking lot. Requests for parking passes should be made well in advance. In order to arrange to pick-up your pass, please call the Office of Sports Information. Passes may be picked up in the Wildcat Athletic Complex no later than Fridays prior to the game by 5 p.m.

Football Interview Policy

During football season, Coach Brian Jenkins is available via telephone on Tuesday during the weekly Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) teleconference hosted by MEAC Director of Media Relations Patricia Porter. Please contact the MEAC Office at (757) 416-7100 for details.

Coach Jenkins and selected players will also be available during the weekly media luncheon held in the Wildcat Athletic Complex. Coaches and players are available shortly before practice on Wednesday and Thursday.

He will not be available before practice on Tuesday, but rather shortly after practice. Any other interviews must be arranged through the Office of Sports Information at least one day in advance. Bethune-Cookman players are available for interviews in person or by telephone after practice on designated days until two days before a game during the season (i.e.,through Thursday for a Saturday game).

Player interviews can occasionally be set up for other times before practice with at least two days advance notice to the Office of Sports Information. All requests for player and coach interviews must go through the Office of Sports Information (386) 481-2206. No player interviews will be granted one day prior to the game, or before the game on game day. No interviews are to be conducted in or outside of the Wildcat Practice Facility, locker room, training room, or in the weight room.

Interviews with assistant coaches must be arranged through the Office of Sports Information in accordance with head coach Brian Jenkins and respect to his staff. Redshirting players are not required to do interviews. All interviews for Wildcat staff and players must be arranged at least one day in advance. Daily Practices During the season, practices are normally conducted at the Wildcat Practice Facility located beside the band practice field. All practices begin at approxi mately 3:30 pm. All practices are closed to the media and public after the stretching period and five-minute session of drills. Media wishing to interview Coach Brian Jenkins or Bethune- Cookman players after practice should come to the Office of Sports Information shortly before the end of practice and be escorted to the field. Please contact the Office of Sports Information at (386) 481-2278 to verify practice times.

Postgame Interviews Will be held in Second Floor Presidents' Box

Following a brief cooling-off period, requested B-CU players will take interviews in the second floor President's Box for a 20-25 minute interview period. The Wildcats' locker room is closed. Representatives from Sports Information will take player requests from the media during the fourth quarter.

Head coach Brian Jenkins will conduct a short interview with Darryl Nattiel for the Wildcat Sports Network's live broadcast before heading upstairs. No on-field interviews are allowed unless approved by the sports information department.

Jenkins will begin his postgame interviews approximately ten minutes after the game. After night games, Jenkins and players will be available simultaneously due to deadline demands. Away game procedures will vary, depending on available facilities.

Telephone/Fax/Internet Services

The Department of Athletics furnishes approximately three telephones along press row for media to file stories, and two additional lines along the Sports Information row directly above the media row. All long distance calls must be credit card, collect or billed to a third number. Anyone desiring a private phone should contact the Municipal Stadium Facility Staff. Fax machines are available for media use. Media should make a representative of the Office of Sports Information aware of their fax needs prior to the end of the game.

High-speed internet is available at Municipal Stadium. Media should see a representative of the Office of Sports Information for more information.

Sideline Policy

Photographers will not be allowed on the sidelines without a Bethune-Cookman-issued photographer's pass. Passes will be distributed in the press box beginning 90 minutes prior to kickoff. Each photo grapher must sign in for her/his own pass. Under NCAA and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference guidelines, photographers are not allowed between the 25-yard lines and must remain outside the restraining lines surrounding the field. Credential holders not working will be asked to leave the sidelines. A representative of the Office of Sports Information will be on the field to handle any questions and serve as field liaison to press box officials. We ask, for the safety of others, that equipment not be left unattended on the sidelines. If you are shooting with a tripod, please keep a safe distance from the playing field.