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n creating new venues or refurbishing present sites, sports organizations from the New York Yankees to the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Homestead Miami Speedway, Richmond International Speedway, Dover Downs, University of Minnesota and Oregon State University, among others, are making security a prime requisite.

Since 9/11, the American sports industry has increased security at major sporting venues and high profile events such as the Super Bowl, World Series and Olympics. Since college sport stadiums provide a perfect target for mass casualties and catastrophic economic impact, university sport programs are also taking the necessary steps to secure their stadiums and campuses against potential threats.

According to Lou Marciani, direc-tor of the Center for Spectator Sports Security Management, the numbers are big. An estimated 106 million fans attended NCAA sporting events in 2007. There are 1,791 stadiums in the United States ranging from

capacities of 2,000 to 250,000 people. Twenty NCAA stadiums hold over 90,000 people. The top 20 NCAA basketball arenas have a combined seating capacity of over 400,000 and each team plays more than 15 home games. Syracuse University’s Carrier Dome holds 33,000 fans.

The Center for Spectator Sports Security Management

That’s why the Center for Spectator Sports Security Management at the University of Southern Mississippi was estab-lished in 2006, to provide an inter-disciplinary environment to further increased sports security awareness, improve sport security policies and procedures, and enhance emergency response through evacuation, recov-ery operations and crowd manage-ment training from professional to intercollegiate levels.

The Center’s Sports Security and Safety Management Advisory Board is composed of representatives from the National Football League,

c a s e S T U D Y

Arena Security i s no

Game T a k e n L i g h T L y

By Mark Moran

Large public gatherings, such as sports events, are considered to be potential terrorist targets. In March 2005, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified a dozen possible strikes it viewed most devastating, including a truck bombing of a sports arena.

I

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National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, United States Tennis Association, National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Indy Racing League, National Hockey League, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Stadium Managers Association, University of Texas at Tyler, United States Department of Homeland Security, Madden & Patton, Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies, HOK Sport, and Robinson & Cole LLP.

“Specialization in sports venue security didn’t really begin until after the tragedy of 9/11. Already the knowledge we have gained and are sharing is helping stadiums and arenas do a better job of securing

their venues,” attests Marciani. “The addition of our Lab and working with the Department of Homeland Security is a critical step for our country. Not only does it help secure millions of people attending sporting events but many of the things we are doing can also help the nation prevent and prepare for other calamities, including natural disasters.”

The Center is helping venues in the preparation of having the best level of security via products, services, software and consultation to create a sports world in which fans and their families can continue to enjoy safe and secure sports envi-ronments. In addition, the Center hopes to assist venues in providing their employees and associates with the most current, efficient and effec-

tive products, services and software for enhanced security.

“The Center’s Sports Event Security Aware Seal of Approval is awarded when universities have met the requirements for effective security and safety management systems related to preparation, prevention, response and recov-ery,” says Marciani. “The Center is also in partnership with the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics for curricu-lum development to train member institutions on sports event security management.”

Recently, the Center announced that NFL stadiums across the coun-try will be host sites for sports event security training for more than 1,000 intercollegiate institutions. This announcement comes on the heels of

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an increasing national focus to deter terrorist activity, respond to natural disasters, manage crowd control and enhance security at all universities and college stadiums across the nation. Begun in April 2009, person-nel from National Collegiate Athletic Association institutions are training at the most sophisticated sports facilities the NFL has to offer.

Through the Center’s guidance, assessing risk, reducing vulner-abilities and increasing the level of preparedness will help minimize potential threats to university sport venues nationwide. The Center has recommended standards for effec-tive security management of univer-sity sport and other venues.

What Venue Operators Need to Do

The Center’s suggestions fall into a series of security categories well-known by security professionals, regardless of their industry.

Perimeter Control. It is suggested that Security should establish a 500-foot outer perimeter around the stadium. Security needs to lock down the stadium, have police patrol before and after events, establish a secure inner perimeter and secure vulnerable systems with locks and seals. Access Control. Venues should continue prohib-iting items such as coolers, large backpacks and weapons. They should publicize inspections and prohibited items, locate security personnel and law enforcement at each entry point, identify

coaches and players entering locker rooms and restricted areas, and reserve the right to inspect any deliv-eries to any event area. Credentialing. Credentials should be worn at all times and be substan-tially different from those used in prior sessions. Venues should maintain a record of people issued credentials. All team bench staff, except players in uniform, should wear a game credential. Background checks for vendors, employees, contractors, students and volunteers should also be considered. Physical Protection Systems. Establishing a 100-foot inner perim-eter, utilizing barriers and having digital camera monitoring capa-bilities are highly suggested. The stadium and press box should be equipped with an Integrated Security Management System consisting of CCTV, access control and alarms. Risk Management. Developing risk management plans for events and

completing these plans in conjunc-tion with local law enforcement are very important. Weekly game management meetings addressing risk management issues should be conducted frequently and risk management training should be conducted with all game day staff.Emergency Management. Emergency management is critical, especially the development of an emergency response plan, evacuation plan, disaster plan and emergency medical plan. Emergency response plans should be coordinated with local, state, and federal emergency management agencies. A primary and secondary security command and control center should be estab-lished, having a view of the playing field to facilitate decision-making. Recovery Procedures. Identifying security needs and having written contracts or mutual aid agreements in effect with local and out-of-state emergency responders are of the highest importance. Contracts should be in place for immediate restoration and secondary locations identified to hold event bookings.Communications. Identifying a chain of command, providing a sequence of notification, having access to hand held radios and possessing reli-able communication systems with backups in place are extremely impor-tant. The command center should have direct access to the emergency communication system and maintain reliable communications with the PA/video staff in order to authorize emergency scripts and messages. Communications must be checked with all emergency responders prior to the sporting event.Security Personnel. Security personnel, provided by licensed and certified providers, should be

The Anaheim Pond has been using biometrics from back when the team was the Mighty Ducks wearing the turquoise blue and black.

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included in all training and plan-ning activities to ensure they are aware of their duties and responsi-bilities. All personnel must have a background check. Training, Modeling and Simulation. Training should be provided in several areas including inspection procedures to security staff, creden-tial recognition to access control personnel and security awareness to ushers, vendors and volunteers. Conducting evacuation simulations, practicing emergency drills prior to season and conducting table top exer-cises are highly important. During training scenarios, planners should test the chain of command, decision making process, primary/secondary communications and emergency use of the PA and video systems. WMD—Toxic Materials Protection. All potentially dangerous chemicals or materials must be permanently removed from the sport stadium. Toxic materials protection and decontamina-tion should be part of the emergency response and evacuation plans. Campus police and safety officers need to be trained to the Weapons of Mass Destruction/Hazmat awareness levels.

The National Sports Security Lab

“One method the Center will use to enhance effectiveness is the initiation of a National Sports Security Lab, which will apply the Center’s expertise in sport event security best practices and needs and bridge security solution providers with the sport event security community,” emphasizes Marciani. “It will develop interoperable Homeland Security solutions to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from all types of natural, technological and terrorist events that target major sport venues.”

According to Marciani, the Lab’s scope is to provide opportunities for security observation, practice, testing, investigations, and experimentation as it relates to sport security technology, training and exercises. One of its most important elements will be assistance to all sports leagues and intercollegiate facilities, acting as a sport security solution clearinghouse by consolidat-ing solution requirements, being a solution test bed and providing unbi-ased assessments. The effect of the Lab will be to provide more efficient identi-fication, development and deployment of the best solutions, reducing cost to both solution providers and end users. Ultimately, the Lab will implement national standards for testing/evaluat-ing relevant products and services.

“Using all three major sporting venues at the University of Southern Mississippi provides an active user assessment environment (real time and demonstration) for sport secu-rity managers, manufacturers, first responders, sport facility owners, government agencies and architects,” stresses Marciani. “The Lab’s beta testing of candidate technologies, software, equipment and operational concepts to standards and best practices, vetting, and certifying test performance results will provide facilities with bench and on-site eval-uations of products and services.”

Marciani adds, “The Lab’s Research and Development arm will enhance the safety and security of sport venues, develop and imple-ment sport security technology, training and exercise models and training of security personnel.”

Tip of the Iceberg

Arena security is a very big slice of the security industry pie.

A SportsBusiness Journal study estimates that the total costs for new construction and major renovations will hit a record of nearly $6 billion for projects in just in 2009, 28 percent higher than the previous mark of $4.6 billion, adjusted for inflation. That came in 1999, when eight major league arenas and four stadiums opened. For 2009 and 2010 combined, the value of major league arenas and stadiums opening will top $7 billion. Add collegiate and minor league facility construction and the number increases beyond $9 billion.

In addition to maximizing fan experience, every one of them will also be focusing on spectator and player security. There will continue to be many of the standard solutions, such as the Schlage Everest Primus XP key system with over 1200 cylin-ders going in at the new Stadium for the New York Mets.

Sports facilities, for enhanced safety and security, are utilizing solutions such as high security cylinders, code compliant exit devices, access control systems, CCTVs, DVRs to even new green solutions calling for using thorns, spines, leaves and barbs as natural barbed wire to putting thorny and prickly plants along windows and on walls and fences. All are part of the solutions and awareness so fans can simply enjoy their day at the stadium, root for their team and get home safely with their family.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mark Moran is Director of Business Development of Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies. He is also Chair of the Board of Advisors to the Center for Spectator Sports Security Management at the University of Southern Mississippi. Moran is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the National Risk Management Program for Spectator Sports and is a member of the Stadium Managers Association (SMA), a Center for Architecture Professional Member of AIA, New York chapter and a Chairman’s Club Member of the New York Building Congress.