Universities Introduce Clear Bag Policies at Football Stadiums

Universities Introduce Clear Bag Policies at Football Stadiums

Universities such as Iowa State, Oklahoma, Baylor and more are introducing clear bag policies to enhance security.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • September 07, 2018

While clear bags are not a new way to enhance security at a football stadium, several universities such as Iowa State University, Oklahoma University and Baylor University have introduced their new clear bag policies ahead of the 2018-2019 college football season.

"We want our guests to have an amazing experience on game day," said Henry Howard, Associate AD for Capital Projects and Championships at Baylor University. "The foundation of that experience is providing a safe and secure venue. Adopting a clear bag policy will help us to ensure each guests' safety so that they can create positive lasting memories."

The colleges are urging fans to come to stadiums with their items in a bag that is clear to enhance the security of the stadium.

"Most athletic venues across the country are currently adopting or have already adopted similar policies," Iowa State's staffing coordinator Megan Rodenburg said. "It's mandatory for all SEC schools to enforce the clear bag policy."

The goal of the policy is not only to eliminate safety concerns, but to help security personnel, staff work swiftly to get fans through the entry gates.

"This will make everyone's entry into the stadium a lot easier," Rodenburg said. "This will be a safer atmosphere because we know what's being brought into the stadium and we can also anticipate it speeding up lines at the entry gate."

Several clear bag policies work into them a contingency plan just in case a fan does try to bring a bag into the stadium. Those fans are usually subject to having their bag searched and can return their bag to their vehicle. They can also choose to empty the contents of the prohibited bag into a one-gallon ZipLock bag provided by the athletics department. Prohibited bags will not be held by any members of the staff during the game.

Exceptions are usually made for bags containing items required for medical purposes, families or child care.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

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