Texas vs LSU Game Reveals Security Issues at Stadium

Texas vs LSU Game Reveals Security Issues at Stadium

One of the biggest college games that occurred at UT in the last decade, revealed the university may not be prepared to handle large crowds of students.

  • By Sherelle Black
  • September 11, 2019

After thousands gathered at the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin to see the University of Texas at Austin face off against Louisiana State University, UT is now facing backlash over student safety issues that occurred Saturday.

The issues began when several fans trying to get into the student section stampeded through the gates, reported The Dallas Morning News.

UT told Big Ticket holders, which are $175 tickets for students, to arrive early as the ticket does not guarantee admission.

The anxiety of potentially not getting into the game, mixed with students not forming lines outside the gates before they opened, were part of the problem UT senior Emily Severe told DMN.

“Everybody pushed up against the gates until the staff came out and put tables out for bag check,” Severe said. “It felt like ACL (Austin City Limits) and you get to the front and everybody starts pushing forward. It was completely unorganized.”

When the gates opened, the staff were completely overwhelmed with the stampede and were not able to check tickets or bags of the people who pushed their way through the gates.

In a statement, UT Athletic Director Chris Del Conte said, “We are aware of the concerns about safety regarding the entrance into the stadium and crowding in our student sections at last Saturday’s big game. Our fans' safety is paramount to us, and we appreciate those who reached out and certainly hear your concerns. We do believe that the enormity of the game combined with the circumstances surrounding the south end zone construction project presented some new challenges that we had not previously faced.”

Del Conte said the university as well as campus safety and security partners will be finding solutions prior to UT’s next home game on Sept. 21 against Oklahoma State.

About the Author

Sherelle Black is a Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • CISA Releases Anonymous Threat Response Guidance and Toolkit for K-12 Schools

    The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently released the Anonymized Threat Response Guidance: A Toolkit for K-12 Schools, a new resource to help kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) schools and their law enforcement and community partners create tailored approaches to addressing anonymous threats of violence, including those received on social media. The toolkit outlines steps school leaders can take to assess and respond to anonymous threats, better prepare for and prevent future threats, and work in coordination with law enforcement and other local partners when these threats arise. It is co-sealed with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which provided expert feedback on the toolkit’s key principles and strategies. Read Now

  • How Hospitals are Using Modern Technology to Improve Security

    Workplace violence is a serious and growing challenge for many organizations — including those in the healthcare industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers in healthcare and social services experience the highest rates of injuries caused by workplace violence and are five times as likely to suffer a workplace violence injury than workers overall — and aggressive incidents are rising. Read Now

  • Father of Georgia School Shooting Suspect Charged in Connection With Attack

    Colin Gray, the father of the 14-year-old Georgia school shooting suspect, has also been charged in connection with the attack. The 54-year-old father was charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children. Read Now

  • Safeguarding Stony Brook University Hospital: HALO’S Commitment to Health & Safety

    The healthcare industry is experiencing an alarming escalation of violence, including an increase in threats against healthcare workers. As a result, it is looking for ways to be proactive and protect its staff and patients.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,  the rate of injuries from violent attacks against medical professionals grew by 63% from 2011 to 2018 and hospital safety directors say that aggression against staff escalated as the COVID-19 pandemic intensified in 2020.      Read Now

Most   Popular

Webinars