02/26/13 – KHSAA Boys’ Sweet Sixteen® Media Information

February 26, 2013 2012-2013 News Releases

The KHSAA Boys’ Sweet Sixteen® is scheduled for March 6-10 at Rupp Arena in Lexington.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING FRIDAY-SATURDAY SESSIONS OF THE BOYS’ SWEET 16®
With the University of Kentucky playing Florida on Saturday afternoon, the KHSAA will be required to completely break down its setup for the Boys’ Sweet 16® following the last game on Friday evening. Media members in attendance at the 8 p.m. game on Friday, March 8 will need to clear the arena floor as soon as possible, and relocate to the Media Workroom. The remodeled work area has plenty of power and dedicated internet connections and will allow for reporters to take as long as necessary to compile information and submit to your outlets. No equipment can be left on the arena floor or tables following the last game on Friday night as even the press tables will be almost immediately removed by the Rupp Arena staff to allow for UK and network television setup. Accommodations have been made by the KHSAA and Rupp Arena to secure a storage area where media members can leave their equipment overnight. The area will be monitored 24-7 by a security guard. Following the conclusion of the UK-Florida game, the arena will remain closed to the media and the public until 4:30 p.m. so that the Rupp Arena and KHSAA staff can prepare the arena for the Saturday evening session.

TIME CHANGE NOTE
Please note that the spring change from Standard Time to Daily Savings Time occurs on Sunday, March 10. All outlets should plan clearance and scheduling based on this change. 

PARKING – BOYS’ SWEET 16®
Parking is not provided to the KHSAA during the Boys’ Sweet 16®. Media members have the opportunity to purchase parking passes for the Boys’ Sweet 16® from the LCC Box Office. Parking passes are available for $60 apiece, which covers the entire tournament, in the “Press Lot” located off of Cox Street, adjacent to the player/press entrance to the arena. There is a $5.00 service fee if ordered over the phone. The LCC Box Office can be reached at 859-233-3535. Securing a parking pass does not guarantee approval of applications for media credentials!

DISTRIBUTION POLICY
The distribution of credentials is conducted using the following priorities:
1. Daily Newspapers and Wire Services;
2. Statewide Media (TV, etc.);
3. Media Covering Specific Teams on a Regular Basis;
4. Regional Media;
5. All Other Outlets (Non-Broadcast Radio, weekly media, etc.).

Credentials may be issued on a limited basis to valid websites that report timely results. They are not issued to message board websites or to websites that do not regularly contain Kentucky based high school regular season content throughout the year.

Due to space limitations, full tournament credentials are not issued to non-daily newspapers or to non-broadcasting radio stations with no specific coverage teams. Non-originating radio stations from the markets of participating teams will be issued a maximum of one credential and will be assigned to the auxiliary media seating area.

The KHSAA reserves the right to grant or deny any requests on an individual basis.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography passes are provided to accredited media outlets in conjunction with print outlets and affiliated websites.

Commercial and freelance photographers can obtain rights fee-based credentials, space permitting. Information regarding rights fee payments will be confirmed through the online credentialing system.

The KHSAA reserves the right to deny credentials to commercial and freelance photographers who do not agree to the restrictions. 

BOYS’ AUXILIARY MEDIA SEATING
All auxiliary media seating is in the upper arena press row (at the bottom of sections 230-231-232). This area is serviced with an elevator that is just outside the media interview area at floor level. Those members assigned to the area will continue to have full access to all media areas as in the past.  

TEAM BROADCAST RADIO
One local radio station, designated by the participating school principal, will be permitted to originate broadcasts of games involving only that school. Once the tournament field is set, the school principal will complete the online form and submit it to KHSAA to notify the Association of the station. Absent those stations grandfathered with the formation of the KU/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen®, stations not receiving a school designation will be required to take a feed from the KU/KHSAA Sweet 16® Statewide Radio Network. 

BOYS’ CREDENTIAL PICK-UP
Credentials will not be mailed to media outlets. Credentials will be available for pickup on Tuesday, March 5 at the Tournament Headquarters (Thorobred 1 off the Hyatt lobby) from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. (ET). Proper identification will be required to pickup media passes. Credentials can also be picked up at the Rupp Arena Media Pass Gate (Cox Street Arena entrance) beginning 1 1/2 hours prior to tip-off of each session. All credentials are issued on a daily basis. You will need proper identification each day. 

POSTSEASON TOURNAMENT BRACKETS/INFORMATION
The brackets for both tournaments are posted on the KHSAA web site (www.khsaa.org/basketball). Outlets can also view district and regional schedules/results on the KHSAA/Riherd’s Scoreboard by clicking on the scoreboard icon at www.khsaa.org.