Emporia State has officially announced its partnership with the Kansas Department of Transportation for the ‘Fans with a Plan’ program, according to a press release on Aug. 26. The program aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries at universities, sports organizations and entertainment districts around the state. 

The program also encourages fans to plan ahead for safe transportation to the event and their return home, to make alternative transportation such as RideShare Apps, SafeRide services and public transportation and to encourage designated drivers to and from the event. 

“ESU and the athletics department are engaging the program with its fans by promoting ‘Fans With A Plan’ onesuhornets.com, monthly social media posts from the Athletics Facebook and Instagram, rotating promotional ads on Hornet TV, and email marketing,” said Doug Ballou, founder of Blue Window Marketing and partner of KDOT’s Bureau of Transportation Safety.

In addition, a video featuring the head coach of ESU football, Garin Higgins will be shown on the video board during home games, signage will be posted around campus and designated driver pick-up will be located off 15th and Merchant on campus.

“Emporia State cares about the safety of our students and everyone in Hornet Nation. ‘Fans With a Plan’ is a great resource for our community,” ESU President Ken Hush said in the release.

The sale of alcoholic beverages at ESU Athletic events at Welch Stadium and Trusler Sports Complex was approved by President Hush in August of 2022. 

The ESU Alcohol Policy for inside Welch Stadium states that alcoholic beverages may not be brought into or out of the stadium and can only be consumed in the consumer’s stadium seat or common areas within the stadium. 

“ESU asks that fans who tailgate at the games do so responsibly. The new Fans With a Plan partnership puts an emphasis on responsible behavior after games by asking fans to set up designated drivers or use a rideshare app to get home,” said Gwen Larson, Director of Media Relations andInternal Communication at ESU.

According to theKansas Strategic Highway Safety Plan, alcohol-involved crashes occur the most by college-aged students (21-24), with more than 400 crashes in Kansas over four years, five of which were fatal. The study also shows that nearly 40 percent of Kansans experience or are affected by an alcohol-related crash during their lifespan. 

Since its creation, KDOT has partnered with 26 marketing and media partnerships across Kansas with the program including Kansas State University, Wichita State University and fellow MIAA team, Pittsburg State University. Other partnerships include professional teams in Kansas including the Kansas City Monarchs, Wichita Windsurge, Wichita Thunder and the Kansas Speedway.