PROVO — BYU announced today an enhanced security policy for athletic facilities/venues that will go into effect beginning with the 2003 football season at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
In accordance with NCAA policies at its national championship events, and in view of the call for heightened security nationwide, the Y is taking appropriate steps to help ensure the safety of fans, players, and coaches at its athletic events.
As part of these new security measures, the following items will not be allowed into the stadium:
Back packs, large bags, large purses or other large items.
Any type of food or drink (including bottled water).
Cans, coolers and other containers except in cases of medical need, as certified by a physician.
Artificial noisemakers.
Large signs, flags, sticks, poles, umbrellas, banners or laser pointers.
Video cameras.
Weapons.
Additionally, patrons may be subject to a search as they enter the stadium. Items carried into the arena may also be inspected.
"After 9/11 most of the arenas nationwide increased security levels at athletic events," said BYU police chief, Larry Stott. "Given the current unrest in the world, security levels are being increased even further. Our goal is to be as non-intrusive as possible, while still providing a comfortable level of safety for our fans and athletic teams." A significant change to the new security policy is that outside food and beverage will no longer be allowed into BYU athletic events held at the Marriott Center, Edwards Stadium, Miller Park , Smith Fieldhouse and South Field.
"We've been studying the issue of security for some time," said BYU men's athletic director Val Hale. "We've looked at what the NCAA and universities nationwide are doing and have spoken with a number of special events managers and outside consultants. Their recommendations, as well as those from the BYU administration have convinced us that these are the appropriate measures for us to take." The BYU Athletics and Concessions departments are working together on a plan to add more than 80 new points of purchase areas, unveil a new enhanced menu, and provide a fresh approach to fast, friendly customer service inside Edwards Stadium.
"We are doing all we can to bring in a wide variety of new food options to the stadium, while keeping the menu as affordable as possible," said Dean Wright, director of dining services at BYU. "We are currently in discussion with numerous local vendors who are interested in providing new food options. We hope to have something for everyone." Although these measures may cause a change of habit for some fans, Hale believes they will appreciate BYU's desire to improve security at its athletic events.