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.

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

  • 2024 Gun Violence Report Fewer Overall Incidents but School Deaths and Injuries Are on the Rise

    Omnilert, provider of gun detection technology, today released its compilation of Gun Violence Statistics for 2024 summarizing gun violence tragedies and their adverse effects on Americans and the economy. Read Now

  • New Research Highlights Need for Improved Cybersecurity in Schools

    Keeper Security, a provider of zero-trust and zero-knowledge cybersecurity software protecting passwords, passkeys, privileged access, secrets and remote connections, recently released its latest report, Cybersecurity in Schools: Safeguarding Students in the Digital Era. This global study highlights the growing cybersecurity challenges that threaten educational institutions, based on a survey of 6,000 parents and students across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, France, the UK, US and DACH regions. Read Now

    • Communication
  • Shooting Likely a Combination of Factors

    Following the deaths of a teacher and student at Abundant Life Christian School in, Madison, Wisc., police chief Shon Barnes indicated that the motive appears to be a “combination of factors” for a 15-year-old female student’s attack on a study hall. Read Now

  • Two Killed During Shooting at Wisconsin Christian School

    Two people were killed and five injured during a shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis. on Monday. Read Now

Webinars