Not for publication
Media invited to cover large-screen viewings of men’s Final Four basketball games Saturday, April 2
(Chapel Hill, N.C.— March 31, 2016) – Media are invited to cover the men’s Final Four basketball game viewing events at the UNC-Chapel Hill Smith Center on Saturday, April 2. Media may arrive at 4 p.m. to cover the large-screen viewings of the Oklahoma vs. Villanova game that begins at 6:09 p.m. in Houston, followed by the Carolina vs. Syracuse game that begins at approximately 8:49 p.m. Both semifinal games will be shown on a large projection screen and on Smith Center video boards.
Cosponsored by Carolina Athletics and Late Night Carolina Programs at Student Wellness, the Smith Center will open for Carolina students, faculty and staff at 5 p.m. and the general public at 5:30 p.m. Filming is allowed in the Carolina Basketball Museum that will be open until 6 p.m.
RSVP: Media planning to cover the viewings are asked to RSVP by close-of-business Friday, April 1, by emailing mediarelations@unc.edu or calling the media line at (919) 445-8555.
Arrival: Please bring media credentials; enter through Entrance D beginning at 4 p.m., Saturday, April 2.
Lights: Videographers are asked to refrain from directing TV lights into fans’ faces as they watch the game. Lights can be on before the game and during commercials and between games.
Filming: Live shots are permitted in the concourse area only. For the purposes of b-roll, camera crews may stand on the Smith Center floor or in the aisles of the stands during commercial breaks, halftime and between games. Please do not block the view of the screen. Media representatives may sit anywhere in the stands.
Assistance on site: Call Jim Gregory at (703) 300-3350 or the media line at (919) 445-8555.
Media Parking: Satellite trucks may park behind the Smith Center. Media are asked to send only one truck per station. Set-up may begin after 4 p.m. Other media vehicles may park in the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center lot off E. Franklin Street. Parking is available for $5.00 in the Manning, Bowles, Craige and Rams Head parking lots. Road closure and parking restriction information is available on line.
Cable: Approximately 500 feet of cable is needed to reach from trucks in the back lot to filming areas inside the Smith Center.
-Carolina-
Communications and Public Affairs contact: Michael John, (919) 445-8555, michael.john@unc.edu