No bags, no big deal at the Big House as Wolverines take on Indiana
"If you have any bags - plastic bags, fanny packs, purses, diaper bags - either bring them back to your car or toss them out now," Donald Coon shouted to the approaching crowd at Gate 8 at the Big House.
Coon, an event staffer from Toledo, was just following orders. Earlier in the week, the University of Michigan's Department of Public Safety issued notice that no bags would be permitted inside the Big House today.
The policy change came after the Associated Press obtained a counterterrorism bulletin indicating terrorist organization Al Qaeda is shifting its focus to entertainment facilities. Two weeks ago, an Al Qaeda operative was arrested entering New York City with bomb-making plans on his computer, the Associated Press reported.
The U-M Department of Public Safety said in a press release the no-bags policy wasn't formed to address any specific threat, but safety officials said it's better to be safe than sorry at one of the biggest sporting arenas in the country.
Coon and other game day staffers came prepared today. But it took more than 30 minutes at Gate 8, off Main Street, before anyone was turned away for carrying a bag.Â
Fans who were turned away had one of three choices: toss the bag out, take it back home or to their cars, or walk to Gate F at Crisler Arena and check the bag there, free of charge. Same deal with umbrellas, which staffers said have never been allowed at the Big House.
Bag-check staff at Gate F said it's common to check about 1,000 bags on game day since big bags haven't been allowed at the Big House for years. Last week, for the Eastern Michigan University game, about 1,200 bags were checked.Â
Staffers expected 2,000 bags this week and set up 11 bag racks and four tables to accommodate.
But by 12:15 p.m., only 150 bags had been checked.
Dave Holman, a game day manager at Crisler Arena who oversees the bag check at Gate F, said people heeded word not to bring bags.Â
"The folks listened," he said, crediting the university's communications effort for spreading the word and fans for listening. Season ticket holders were sent notices, while local and regional media outlets reported on the new policy.
Lydia Mitchell, a staffer at Gate F, attributed the paucity of checked bags to the fact that larger bags have been banned at Michigan Stadium for years.
"Most people who have to check their bags are the ones who got tickets from a friend, or who come to cheer for the other team," Mitchell said. "Michigan fans pretty much know what's up." Â
Fans who need to carry medical equipment were permitted to bring it in, as long as they had written permission from a medical professional.
Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Diane Brown said the no-bags policy went "very very well," but said it's too early to tell whether the policy would continue. She said public safety officials will re-evaluate it before the Oct. 17 game against Delaware State.
Still, while most fans managed to comply with the new policy, not everyone was happy with it.
Said Amy Hullinger, of Niles, "It's pretty ridiculous. I don't understand what the big deal is. I brought my bag last week - what's the difference?"Â
Even though Hullinger is a Notre Dame alum and grew up in South Bend, she came to the game decked out in Michigan gear in support of her husband John's alma mater.
Kayla Gilley of Jackson, who came to attend her first game at Michigan Stadium today, saw the matter differently. "I'm just happy to be at the game," she said.
James David Dickson reports on human interest stories for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at JamesDickson@AnnArbor.com, or on Twitter at Twitter.com/JamesDDickson.
Comments
Isanopinion
Sun, Sep 27, 2009 : 10:25 a.m.
Amy Hullinger, can you not read what the big deal is? What is so important in your bag that you can't follow the rules? There is always someone who has to test the system and look ridiculous in the process. Thank you U of M for making sure all 108000 fans, all the security, all the police officers, fire fighters, Paramedics, Doctors and Nurses stayed safe for the game!
BernieP
Sat, Sep 26, 2009 : 5:45 p.m.
Given the recent events in Colorado and New York City surrounding potential terrorist attacks I thank the University for their communication of adherence to requirements intended to keep all 108,000+ of us at the event safe from the potential harm that could be carried along in an un-scanned bag.
Billy
Sat, Sep 26, 2009 : 3:23 p.m.
I'm just waiting for the crime statistics from the game. I want to see how large the increase in thefts from vehicles will be. I'm guessing a 500% increase at least.
D
Sat, Sep 26, 2009 : 3 p.m.
All I can say about this is: That this is another homeland insecurity screw job to the masses. after 9-11 the bulk of the country became paranoid and no bags then was okay but here we are eight years removed form the incident and every time a person of Muslim faith gets picked up on a botched investigation the feds overreact and then so does the rest of the country. I say relax other countries have been dealing with this a lot longer than us and they can take bags in to there sporting events and bring bottles from and out side source onto an aircraft. Just my opinion.