Town and university officials have been meeting to try to minimize possible traffic and parking impacts from the Shepherd University Rams’ participation in this year’s NCAA Division II football playoffs.

The Rams had a bye in the first round of playoff games, which were held Nov. 23. Their first game will be held here on Nov. 30, when they will play Winston Salem.

If the Rams win that game, they will also host the quarterfinal playoff game here on Dec. 7.

Traffic and parking will be an issue on both dates because Nov. 30 will be the first Saturday of this year’s Christmas in Shepherdstown celebration, and Dec, 7 is the date of the town’s annual Christmas parade.

On Nov. 30, the University will be making extra efforts to direct fans to game-day parking areas on campus, and to confine most of that parking on the West Campus. The University’s “A” lot at the corner of High and Princess streets downtown will be reserved for town parking, and the town will be posting signs directing visitors to that location.

If there is a second game on Dec. 7, the University and town will repeat these arrangements but also consider making additional overflow parking arrangements because of the parade scheduled for that day.

If the Rams win on Dec.7, they will compete in a semi-final playoff game the following Saturday, Dec. 14. The location of that game is not yet known but it will likely be in Shepherdstown if the Rams are in it. If so, special traffic and parking arrangements will be made for that day as well.

The NCAA Division II Championship game will be held Dec. 21 in Florence, Ala.