The 2007-08 North Georgia Media Information Guide is designed to aid members of the media covering Saints athletics. We appreciate your coverage and if there is anything we can do to assist you, please contact the Athletics Media Relations Office at (706) 867-3250.

The North Georgia Media Relations Office has certain policies and procedures that we ask for you to abide by while covering the Saints. These are for the benefit of your needs and those of the student-athletes and coaches. We ask that you please respect these requests in order to create a good working atmosphere for all parties involved.

MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE
The North Georgia Athletics Media Relations Office is located on the bottom floor of Memorial Hall Gymnasium in Room 002. Enter through the front doors of the gymnasium and take the glass door to the bottom floor, located directly in front you. The Media Relations/Sports Information Office is the first door on your left as you exit the stairwell.

HOME CREDENTIAL REQUESTS
The North Georgia Media Relations/Sports Information Office will issue credentials to WORKING press only. Passes for spouses, children or friends will not be issued. The credentials are non-transferrable. Any unauthorized use of a credential will result in the pass being immediately revoked.

Press passes will be distributed to those working along press row. A photo pass will be issued to working media needing to photograph a home contest.

All credential requests should be made in writing by sports editors or directors of accredited media outlets on company letterhead. Requests should be made no later than four hours prior to the start of a desired contest to be considered. At least one day notice is preferred. Credentials will be located at the main entrance to Memorial Hall on gameday.

Credential requests should be sent to: David Beall, Athletics Media Relations Office, North Georgia College & State University, 82 College Circle, Dahlonega, GA 30597.

ROAD CREDENTIAL REQUESTS
Working members of the media who plan to cover North Georgia athletics on the road are encouraged to make credential requests through the Athletics Media Relations Office.

VISITING RADIO
All visiting radio crews MUST request credentials through the opponents sports information office. After official notice, the North Georgia Athletics Media Relations/Sports Information Office will reserve space along press row. The visiting radio number varies from game to game.

PHOTOGRAPHERS
Only photographers shooting for accredited media outlets or for North Georgia will be allowed on the field/court. Photographers are allowed to shoot from the sideline (soccer) and baseline (basketball) ONLY, and flash photography is NOT permitted.

PARKING
Ample parking for the media is located at the NGCSU. Parking passes will be issued for those media requesting credentials in advance of the contest.

If you intend to bring a television broadcast truck, contact the North Georgia Athletics Media Relations/Sports Information Office well in advance to have a space assigned for you.

GAMEDAY SERVICES
The North Georgia Athletics Media Relations/Sports Information staff will be on hand to assist members of the media covering Saints soccer. All customary gameday services will be available.

All working media members will be provided with game notes, current statistics, rosters and game programs prior to kick-off. Statistical updates will be provided at halftime, along with play-by-play summary on request.

A limited number of telephones will be available along press row for media filing stories after the game. All calls must be local, toll-free, collect or by calling card. A fax machine will also be available.

POSTGAME INTERVIEWS
Following a 10-minute “cooling-off” period, a postgame press conference featuring coaches and players will take place in the media room. The North Georgia Athletics Media Relations staff will poll the media prior to the end of the game to determine the players who will be at the press conference. Pre-game interviews are not permitted.

PRACTICES
The North Georgia Athletics Media Relations staff encourages coverage of North Georgia athletics outside of games. As a general rule, all practices are closed to the public and the general media, unless notified of your presence one day prior to practice. Please contact the Athletics Media Relations Office in advance if you plan on attending a practice session so an escort can be made available.

Practice times vary throughout the season, with most practices occuring between 3 - 8 p.m. throughout the season.

INTERVIEWS
All midweek interviews, whether with the coaching staff or student-athletes, should be arranged through the Athletics Media Relations/Sports Information Office. Please call in advance so that a time can be reserved that accommodates both parties. Players are generally available up to 15 minutes before practice and immediately following practice. Phone interviews are also available at night, but student-athlete phone numbers are not available under any circumstances. CALLS WILL RETURNED COLLECT.

Head coaches are generally accessible to members of the media. The best time to reach them is from 10 a.m. to noon in his office in Memorial Hall.

GAME NOTES
A set of game notes regarding North Georgia athletics is generally made available 24 hours before each contest. A copy of these notes will be placed on the North Georgia Athletics Department web page at www.ngcsu.edu/athletics before each game and can be downloaded.
The release, which will be posted on the website in a portable document format (.pdf), will include notes, statistics and other pertinent information about the game’s opponent and the Saints.

PRESS ROW PHONE
The press row phone number at Memorial Hall is (706) 974-3281.

FAX, E-MAIL AND INTERNET
Media outlets may request to be included on the broadcast fax and e-mail lists to receive daily news regarding North Georgia athletics. The North Georgia Athletics Media Relations fax number is (706) 867-2865. To be added to the daily e-mail list, simply visit the North Georgia website at www.ngcsu.edu/athletics and follow the online registration.

For unparalleled coverage of all 10 intercollegiate sports at North Georgia, point your web browser to www.ngcsu.edu/athletics. Each week, news releases, game notes and statistics are updated. Media and fans can view player and coaches bios, schedules, results and the most comprehensive records and history pertaining to North Georgia athletics anywhere.