Open that jacket: Michigan outlines security changes for 2011 football season
New gate procedures may mean longer lines at Michigan Stadium for football fans, the University of Michigan athletic department announced Thursday in a release.
New security measures may mean longer lines for fans entering Michigan Stadium, the university said in a release.
File photo
Other changes for the 2011 season, which begins Saturday when Western Michigan visits Michigan (3:30 p.m., ABC), include:
Keep it moving: Vehicles are now prohibited from lining up on city or campus streets before parking lots open on the day of games. Parking lot opening times are listed each week on the Game Day page at MGoBlue.com.
Traffic pattern change: After the third quarter, traffic on Kipke Drive will be southbound only toward Stadium.
No Victors Walk: Football players no longer will walk through the parking lot to the locker rooms two hours before games.
What's allowed: The release included a list of permitted and prohibited items fans can bring inside Michigan Stadium.
Permitted Items
Non-pocket seat cushions
Binoculars -- but cases are not allowed
Cell phones and pagers
Small cameras (those without a detatchable lens) and radios
Blankets and rain apparel -- but no umbrellas
Prohibited Items
All bags (including purses)
All bottles (including all types of water bottles)
Containers of any kind (including coolers, thermoses, cups, cans, flasks)
Aerosol and spray cans
Umbrellas and seat backs
Flags and flagpoles
Alcoholic beverages
Food of any kind
Video cameras and tripods
Strollers
Projectile toys (including footballs, Frisbees and beach balls)
Weapons
Comments
sbbuilder
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 5:13 p.m.
I feel a burqa day coming on. It would be awesome to see the security folks with their underwear all in a bundle when 3000 people show up covered head to toe.
Meral
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 3:26 p.m.
Mr. Brandon and President Sue Coleman I Think this is getting too lame. Last year you've said water will be free, then following week it was $.4. If you are so concerned about bottle of water please lower the price to just 1 dollar. What about people with asthma? These football game days are becoming a very elite events, only for the riches.......
tom swift jr.
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 12:01 p.m.
Please note: 1. The University is NOT about academics 2. The University does NOT care about you if you are not a huge donor 3. The University athletic program is NOT about sportsmanship or spirit 4. $$$$$$$ If you keep these items in mind, none of this is confusing or surprising.
Mick
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 6:25 a.m.
Well I'll tell you what, I think Sally was just trying to make a general point about the burka thing, a ridiculous thing for a woman to have to wear. I was born in Baghdad and my family came to the U.S. to get away from the dogma of that religion. I'm as American as apple pie and I hate it when Americans born here have to act politically correct and walk on egg shells so as not to hurt anyone's little feelings. I just think that Sally was trying to indicate that many times some people hide behind their religion to get away with saying or doing things, I agree with her. The Stadium security measures are overkill, I mean come on,binoculars w/out the case? Why? For what? No water bottles? Talk about a money grab. People are going to start considering not going to the games anymore when you can sit at home in front of your flat wide screen in your recliner. I say wake up and let people have fun but with considerate security measures.
Halter
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 12:11 a.m.
It's an interesting alarmist article -- The only real new rule is the opening of the coats -- all the others have been in place for several years now, and some as far back as twenty years ago.... No Purses or bags has been in effect for two years....No bottles for last season as well (and some will recall the fabulous 500-comment threads arguing about that one last year, so this is OLD news)... UM send the rules out with all their season and individual ticket sales, so everyone is well aware of them in advance. Slow news day it seems
semperveritas
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 7:48 p.m.
the ban on bringing water into the stadium is the restriction that irks me the most. to think that $4 bottles of water sold at concession stands are more secure than a bottle of water that i might bring in defies credulity. tell me that vendors and those that deliver the product are less prone to security risks -----and you get an argument. it is clearly about soaking the customer with the $4 bottle of water and the $70 ticket and the $40 parking fee. i have a strong feeling that the brandon clan drinks its water free from the spacious press box.
Sallyxyz
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 1:17 p.m.
I agree, especially with the water ban. How is a $4 bottle purchased at a stadium vendor more secure than one I purchase at Kroge'rs? This is all about $$$$$$$$$$$$
Ron Granger
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 7:20 p.m.
What different rules apply to the people in the Suites?
Drew Montag
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 6:53 p.m.
Let's see: it's going to be 95 degrees at the game tomorrow, which jacket should I wear? ;-)
G. Orwell
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 6:33 p.m.
The War on Terror is a big HOAX! Even if there are terrorists everywhere, less people die from terrorist acts than bee stings each year. So, do you think the authorities are over reacting. All the money spent and constant state of fear is ridiculous.
MRunner73
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 9:13 p.m.
There are sharp shooters on the roofs on the new suite towers. If there is a commotion in the stands, ushers and security comes quickly to quell the commotion. There is little chance of riff-raff today. So G Orwell, Big Brother is watching. Given all the security, opening up your jacke tupon entering the stadium is dumb.
semperveritas
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 7:52 p.m.
mr orwell----as mr walt kelly and pogo might have said, "we have met the enemy and he is us."
thecompound
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 5:33 p.m.
All bags including purses? Is this new? I am picturing unsuspecting female fans getting to the gate after say, doing a shuttle from Briarwood---"Sorry ma'am, you need to take your purse back to your car". I skimmed the article, do they mail these new rules to ticket holders? I bet a lot more people will be hanging back at the tailgate parties (those are still allowed, right?)
jrigglem
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 1:57 a.m.
They probably put it in place to prevent bringing in your own water. Can't wait to see tomorrows news article for how many of the 117,000 fans got heat stroke. Notice that number keeps getting big year after year too..
jrigglem
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 1:56 a.m.
Actually the no purses rule couldn't have been around for YEARS. Myself and my parents have gone to many games and my mom always brought alone her UM purse that was no bigger than a license plate (because that was the size allowed)
Halter
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 12:09 a.m.
No, it is not new -- no Purses has been in place for years. Yes they do send you the rules with your tickets.
Kevin McNulty
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 4:20 p.m.
Keep in mind, folks that nobody handles a crowd this big and it is a daunting task. You do as much as you can.
kraiford12
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 5:37 p.m.
The article relates to the actual people that will be seated in the stadium to watch the event. Your numbers do not reflect that actual seating capacity of those respective events. For example the seating for the Kentucky Derby is only 50,000. Michigan stadium is more than double that. So while the "crowd" outside the stadium maybe be larger this story (and the comment) is about security, checking items and people; that crowd. My view at least
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 1:12 p.m.
kraiford12, Auto race tracks all over America routinely have crowds well in excess of 113,000. NASCAR race crowds top 300,000 on occasion. The Kentucky Derby puts 150,000 to 165,000 in Churchill Downs for a horse race. And since Mr. McNutty rather generically stated "nobody handles a crowd this big" I could step outside the world of sports and stadiums to mention things like Times Square on New Years Eve where NYPD "controls" 1,000,000 people.
kraiford12
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 12:01 p.m.
@Craig Lounsbury, It's the largest capacity stadium in North America and the 3rd largest in the world. So I'm not sure what you mean by "...lets no exaggerated"?
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 5:47 p.m.
"Keep in mind, folks that nobody handles a crowd this big..." Its not true that nobody handles a crowd this big. Sure its probably the biggest college football crowd on any given Saturday. But lets not exaggerated.
Kevin McNulty
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 4:17 p.m.
I have just two issues. SLR cameras with changeable lens should be allowed but not with monster lens. And food. No security problem there that sounds like they are trying to increase revenues by barring a sandwich. If they bar food they need to lower some prices inside. I think barring water is stupid too and dangerous. Sure they give away a cup of water but people many not want to walk a mile to get one. This makes it look like security is being used to raise some more money.
Halter
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 12:08 a.m.
Incidentally, they have for years not permitted "interchangeable lens cameras"....and yet everyone brings them in anyway, since, I would venture to guess 99 percent of the folks working at the gates don't even know what that means. I bring a nice small compact camera in my cargo pants pocket that takes better photos than a lot of dSLRs...and has a much wider lens as well... My only thought, though, about those who do bring in dSLRs....Really?? There isn't enough room as it is in my row to sit there and move your arms, let alone have a camera around your neck...Really? How do you intend to use it?
Lorain Steelmen
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 3:48 p.m.
Ahh....I miss the good old days, 1965-1972, when a student could carry in a twelve pack of beer, on your shoulder, and a couple of bottls of Boone's Farm Apple ..... When Bump was coach, we used to 'toast to the messenger guards, and first downs. 'ol Bo, got us spoiled, and the world just ain't what it used to be..
Kevin McNulty
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 4:19 p.m.
You mean back when there were all those empty seat?
Rumpleshirtskin
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 3:28 p.m.
Please note that all prohibited items are permissible to a few obnoxious drunken alumni. I used volunteer at the gates. They were pretty insistent that I had no idea how long they've attended these games and that they've always been allowed to bring umbrellas, chair backs and alcohol.
grye
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 2:22 p.m.
I'll just sit in my comfy living room, enjoying a cold beer, eating reasonably priced food, propping my feet up on the coffee table, and not worring about the line at the bathrooms. Heck, even the replays will be a plus. You all can enjoy the crowds. If the game gets real boring for me, I can switch to another one.
Ross
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 2:05 p.m.
Your argument has never sounded better than heading into this season. With ever escalating ticket prices and these ridiculous "security" actions, and now NO FREE WATER?!? Makes me pretty disgruntled.
MRunner73
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 1:48 p.m.
This is getting ridiculous. It is now as bad as TSA airport security. As much as I love and support the U of M, being a track and cross country alum, I strongly disagree with the over reaction by the security proceedures in place. I for one will not feel any safer with these harsh measures than I was 11 and 12 years ago before 9/11...that's just me. First it was the traffic congestion warnings, now no lines to get into parking lots? How are they going to enforce that? Know that there is supposed to be reduced city police. I can't wait to see the no line thing at the U of M Golf Course tomorrow morning. I would rather not be too sarcastic but I agree with those who are. Remember, even Bill Martin was carded a few years ago and he was rather upset about it, kind of ironic.
Silly Sally
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 1:11 p.m.
This is silly. Why not allow many of these banned items such as SLR cameras, cases for binoculars, and empty clear water bottles? Didn't they learn from the days shortly after 9/11 when water was banned and there was a hot day and peopel got heat stroke? Or, perhaps a poorer person or student can't afford the inflated beverage prices inside the big house. Blankets could be used as a seat c They could have a secopnd line for inspecting this sort of thing and if it takes longer, it would encourage people to leave these items at home. But perhaps once a year someone would be willing to wait longer so they could take good photos. The suld tae their lead from the US military. at teh recent airshow at Selfridge ANG base, people with these items were allowed in. The yhecked to see that binocular cases were open and empty, with th binoculars outside, and water bottles were allowed. Even the TSA allows empty ones. All of this is for naught since the politally correct UM will not check under a person's burka to see what a woman has with her or even if it is a woman or a man or a terrorist. Since they won't. Why bother the rest of us?
thecompound
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 5:35 p.m.
6oz should be plenty of water, it's only suppose to be 89 tomorrow, lol.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 5:18 p.m.
Been to a lot if UM football games. Don't recall ever seeing a burka. Not one. Good Night and Good Luck
nowayjose
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 3:30 p.m.
They do it's called proof reading.
gavin
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 3:24 p.m.
Because only people of Middle Eastern descent are terrorists...
Cheri
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 2:33 p.m.
Have you gotten a free cup of water in the stadium? It's maybe 6 oz. at the most. On a 90°+ day, a little tiny cup of water just isn't going to cut it. It's really just a way to make some extra money as far as I'm concerned.
a2umichfan
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 1:23 p.m.
There are water stands set up throughout the stadium where fans can get free cups of water.
Silly Sally
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 1:15 p.m.
I wish that this site had the "preview" feature so that comentes could easily spot errors. "Blankets could be folded up after tailgating and then used as a seat cushion. Small umbrellas could be only used outside the stadium.
63Townie
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 1:02 p.m.
I guess airport-like security measures aren't too far off.
Halter
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 12:03 a.m.
Apparently you have never been to Europe, where Airport Type security already exists at all sporting events.... OR, for that matter, have you gone to a Red WIngs game? You have airport metal screening machines you walk through there too...
Buster W.
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 3:10 p.m.
That's when I'll say enough is enough and stay home. I'm almost there...
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 12:53 p.m.
would my 9mm Glock, if I had one ( I don't), be considered a weapon or a "Projectile toy"?