The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have prompted new emphasis on stricter security for University athletic events.
The University issued a press release yesterdaylisting new security measures that will be implemented, beginning with this Saturday's home football game against Duke.
The new measures resulted from a joint effort among University officials and representatives from other Atlantic Coast Conference schools in consultation with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
Backpacks and other bags have been added to a list of items prohibited in Scott Stadium, which already includes food, alcohol, umbrellas, coolers and video cameras. Accommodations will be made, however, for essential items such as medications and diaper bags, Director of Athletics Craig Littlepage said.
The measures also will cancel the stadium's "pass-out" policy, which let ticket holders leave the stadium and later re-enter during the game.
At a press conference held yesterday, University Police Chief Paul Norris said bomb sweeps will take place in the stadium before games begin. The Federal Aviation Administration also has restricted flights over the airspace of the stadium for the duration of the game.
Littlepage does not expect the security measures to affect game attendance. He added that the University's new measures mirror those in effect during last weekend's football game at Clemson, at which attendance did not appear to drop.
Jason Bauman, associate athletics director for facilities, said he predicts season ticket holders and regular ticket holders alike will turn out for the game as in the past.
While the possibility for delays certainly exists, extensive delays in entering the stadium are not expected as long as people attending the game arrive early and do not attempt to bring prohibited items into the stadium, Littlepage said. Additional staff has been hired to minimize backups and delays, he added.
Since the attacks, tighter security has been in effect for other athletic events for teams including field hockey, volleyball, and men's and women's soccer. Bauman emphasized, however, that the new measures relate only to football games and that policies taking effect in Scott Stadium are not necessarily the same as those in Klockner Stadium, for example.
Tighter security at athletics events has become a major priority for colleges and universities nationwide. In addition to Clemson, other schools such as Virginia Tech plan to implement similar security procedures.
Virginia Tech spokesman David Nutter said the school is planning the steps it must take at upcoming home football games, to be in accordance with stricter policies.
While the new security precautions seem necessary after the tragic events of the last few weeks, they should not interfere with fans' attitudes toward the game itself.
Bauman said he is optimistic that the stadium "ought to be a comfortable setting for people to come out and enjoy a football game."
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