Michigan State welcomes hockey coverage by accredited writers, broadcasters, and photographers under the guidelines outlined below. Accredited members of the media may request credentials by contacting Director of Athletic Communications Jamie Weir at jweir@ath.msu.edu or at 517-355-2271.
Press Box
Michigan State's working press facilities are located on the south side of Munn Ice Arena. The press box is located in a raised area above the south concourse, running from blue line to goal line.
Working press, radio and television personnel are assigned space in the working area; scouts and players are not permitted in the press box at any time as per MSU, CCHA and NCAA rules. Scouts are welcome to pick up line charts at the base of the press box. The MSU press box is a working press box and under NCAA rules any cheering is strictly prohibited. Abuse of working media credentials will be grounds for removal from the press box, and could result in the rejection of future credential requests.
Media credentials
All requests for credentials must be placed via phone, fax or email with Jamie Weir in the MSU Athletic Communications Office at least 48 hours in advance of the game. Upon acceptance of application, appropriate credentials are mailed out or held for pickup at the "Press" will call window at the media entrance (north entrance, facing Demonstration Hall). Credentials must be visible and worn at all times.
Radio broadcasts
A maximum of three spaces are provided for each broadcast. Opponent radio stations wishing to broadcast from Munn Arena must make arrangements through Jamie Weir no less than one week prior to the game. There is space available for one station per school to broadcast each game. Radio station banners are not permitted to hang from the front of the press box.
Television
Special arrangements must be made through the athletic communications department for television broadcasts. Television station banners are not permitted to hang from the front of the press box.
Television stations shooting highlights will be allotted space on one of the TV/photo decks.
Photographers
Identification badges should be picked up at the press box entrance before the game and must be worn at all times. Arrangements may also be made with Jamie Weir during the week prior to the game to shoot from the penalty box area at ice level for a maximum of one period.
Blogging
Please note that Michigan State's blogging policy for its home athletic events mirror the NCAA's policy at its Championship events. The policy reflects the changes instituted by the NCAA for the 2008-09 academic year.
Each Credential Holder (including television, Internet, new media, and print publications) has the privilege to blog during competition through the Credential Entity. However, the blog may not produce in any form a "real-time" description of the event. Real-time is defined by the NCAA as a continuous play-by-play account or live, extended live/real-time statistics, or detailed description of an event. Live-video/digital images or live audio are not permitted.
Each of the aforementioned descriptions is exclusive to the Michigan State web site and/or any other web site designated by the Michigan State and its rightsholders. Periodic updates of scores, statistics or other brief descriptions of the competition throughout the event are acceptable. Credential Holder agrees that the determination of whether a blog is posting a real-time description shall be in the Michigan State's sole discretion. If Michigan State deems that a Credential Holder is producing a real-time description of the contest, Michigan State reserves all actions against Credential Holder, including but not limited to the revocation of the credential.
If media intend to blog at an Michigan State home sporting event, the media entity must indicate so through the credentialing process. All blogs must be free of charge to readers. All must adhere to the conditions and limitations of this Michigan State Blogging Policy, which mirrors the NCAA policy at its Championship Events.
Michigan State and its designated athletic communications personnel shall be the final authority on whether a Credential Holder or Credential Entity is following the blogging policy.
Services
Summaries and shot charts are issued after each period and complete game summaries are distributed at the conclusion of each game. Quick reference statistics and notes are flashed via message board in front of the working area throughout the game. Wireless internet access is available for accredited media; see a Athletic Communications staffer for login information. Phones are available for filing stories, although reporters requiring exclusive phone service should have their own lines installed. Soft drinks and snacks will be available. Restrooms are located in the back of the press box.
MSUSpartans.com
Updated releases, statistics, game notes, player features and interviews are available on the official web site of MSU Athletics.
The weekly release also is available via email for members of the media. Please contact Director of Athletic Communications Jamie Weir (jweir@ath.msu.edu) to be included on the weekly mailing.
Interviews
All interviews must be arranged through the Jamie Weir in the Athletic Communications Office, and requests must be made by 1 p.m. on the day of the interview. Weir can be reached via email (jweir@ath.msu.edu); office phone (517.355.2271) or cell phone (517.243.3187). Please note that contact information for student-athletes WILL NOT be made available to reporters, per Department of Athletics policy.
Coach Comley is available for telephone interviews during the week between 9-11 a.m. Coach Comley holds a weekly press conference on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. in the academic room at Munn Arena, and has availability immediately following practice on Wednesdays in the academic room (approx. 4:45 p.m.).
MSU players are available for interviews from 2 to 2:30 p.m. on Mondays (following Coach Comley's press conference) and following practice on Wednesdays, at approx. 4:45 p.m. Interviews must be set up in advance, and may be conducted via phone or in person in the players' academic room.
Practice is open, but arrangements must be made in advance if you are planning to shoot B-roll. All B-roll must be shot from the visiting bench (walkway) or the stands.
Post-game procedures
Coach Comley and requested MSU players will be available to answer questions in the Munn Arena lounge following a postgame 10-minute cooling-off period. With the exception of live television broadcasts, players are not available until the conclusion of the cooling-off period.
Media members can access the lounge through the hockey office entrance (under the northeast corner) via the Zamboni opening at the east end of the rink. Please do not cut across the ice.
Interviews with the visiting coach and players should be arranged through the visiting SID. The visiting locker room is below the south stands and can be accessed through the visiting player tunnel.
Michigan State will observe a closed locker room policy both at home and on the road. See Director of Athletic Communications Jamie Weir or a representative of the OAC staff to make postgame requests for player interviews.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE MUNN LOUNGE. The academic room is located through the hockey office entrance (under the northeast corner).
Directions /parking
Take Exit 8 (Kalamazoo Street) off of I-496 (East or West). Head east on Kalamazoo Street onto the MSU campus past Harrison Road and the Breslin Center to Jenison Field House, which is just past the Breslin Center on the left. Munn Ice Arena is just south of the Jenison parking lot. Media parking passes are available for $3.50 per game and $66.50 for the 2008-09 season (17 home games).
