New Security Measures Begin for 2016 Football Season
Changes include metal detectors, a no-bag policy and no re-entry
In an effort to increase safety and security of campus visitors, fans attending Duke football games this season will take part in new security measures that include metal detectors, a no-bag policy and no stadium re-entry once a fan has exited the gates of Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.
The new measures will be in place for all of Duke football’s home games starting with the Sept. 3 contest against North Carolina Central University.
The security enhancements are being made as other universities and professional sports teams around the country institute similar policies and steps to create safer environments at sporting events. Duke Athletics originally rolled out use of metal detectors at the end of 2015 for basketball games at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
“These extra precautions are quickly becoming a necessary trend at large sporting events,” said Kyle Cavanaugh, vice president for administration and Duke’s emergency coordinator. “We appreciate the patience and participation of all those who come out to the games to help us provide the safest possible environment.”
Due to the new security efforts, Duke Athletics encourages all fans to come to Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium as early as possible. Administrators estimate that it will take approximately 60 minutes to screen a maximum capacity crowd of about 40,000 using all available metal detectors at four gate locations.
“These enhanced security measures are essential as Duke constantly strives to provide the safest possible environment for all event attendees,” said vice president and director of athletics Kevin White. “Our rollout of similar policies and procedures at Cameron Indoor Stadium last season was extremely well-received and we expect the same at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium this fall. It is our commitment to provide everyone with a first-class, safe experience.”
All persons – game day staff, ticketed guests and Duke undergraduate and graduate students – will be screened before entering the stadium. For guests who can’t use a walk-through metal detector, hand-held metal detectors will be used with physical pat-downs as a final alternative option. Any person who does not consent to screening will be denied stadium entry.
The following includes more details on Duke’s new measures:
Metal Detector Screening
Before passing through metal detectors, guests will be asked to remove cell phones, large key rings, cameras, wristlets/clutches and any large metal objects from their pockets and place them in a provided container for inspection. Guests do not need to remove jackets, belts, coins, wallets, watches, jewelry or shoes. A full list of permitted and prohibited items can be found here.
If a walk-through metal detector finds the presence of items that require further inspection, visitors will be asked to step aside and undergo secondary screening with a hand-held metal detector or physical pat-down.
Accommodations will be made in certain situations for children, items of religious and cultural significance and guests with disabilities or medical devices.
For full details, see the see the "Football Game Day Entry Screening Policy" section on GoDuke.com.
Bag Policy
To increase security in a large crowd setting and provide a better entry and game experience for all guests, no bags or purses of any kind will be allowed to enter the stadium on game days with the following exceptions:
- Wristlets/clutches (with or without a strap) that fit in the palm of the hand (no larger 5 inches x 8 inches x 1 inch).
- Duke Stores merchandise bags with receipt for purchase, with restrictions on stadium prohibited items.
- Bags for medical and/or childcare needs.
- Bags for credentialed game day staff.
Guests with wristlets/clutches may use any lane in the screening area and place the item in a provided bin for inspection.
Ticketed guests entering with Duke Stores merchandise bags and bags for medical and/or childcare needs must use designated a medical/family lane located at each gate screening area. The lanes will be located to far right of the Bostock Gate (north entry) and Powers Gate (west entry) and the far left of the Wilson Gate (east entry) and Finch-Yeager Bridge (Blue Devil Tower entry). Bags will be searched and tagged for entry into the stadium.
For further details, see the "Bag policy" on GoDuke.com.
No Stadium Re-Entry
In line with best practices recommended by law enforcement agencies, fans will not be able to leave the stadium and return. Once a ticket is scanned as a fan enters the gates at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium, there is no stadium re-entry. Duke’s policy will now be consistent with the majority of major college football stadiums and other ACC schools such as UNC-Chapel Hill, Florida State University and others.
Guests looking to visit the Johnson Family Team Store or who request use of a lactation room will be directed to the Bostock Gate (behind Section 16) for assistance and accommodations.