Per the U: Security Enhanced at TCF Bank Stadium

BleedGopher

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FYI. Per the U:

Security Enhanced at TCF Bank Stadium

Clear bag policy in effect for final two home games; bag check provided in Williams Arena lobby

Minneapolis, MN; November 18, 2015 – To ensure the comfort and safety for fans in light of recent worldwide events, the Department of Athletics and Department of Public Safety are announcing enhanced security measures to be in place for Minnesota’s upcoming football games against Illinois on Nov. 21 and Wisconsin on Nov. 28 at TCF Bank Stadium.

While there are currently no known threats against collegiate stadiums, University of Minnesota leaders have opted to increase security measures this weekend for the safety of TCF Bank Stadium attendees.

In addition to increased presence of public safety personnel on campus, the University will be allowing only clear bags in the stadium, similar to the current Minnesota Vikings policy. Stadium personnel will provide clear bags in which to transfer any needed items, and a bag check will also be provided in the Williams Arena lobby located on the South side of the building off University Avenue. Bag check will open at 9:30 am and close one hour following the game’s conclusion. Fans unable to retrieve their bags in the time frame will be able to pick them up at Williams Arena lost and found on Monday.

Permissible Bags include:

• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12."

• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar).

• Small clutch bags (no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”), approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap can be taken into the stadium with one of the clear plastic bags.

• An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at any gates.

Outside of the new bag policy, all other permissible and non-permissible items remain unchanged. Non-battery/non-electric blankets will still be permitted.

Prohibited items include: Purses, Backpacks, Clear Backpacks, Tinted Plastic Totes, Printed Pattern Plastic Bags, Over-sized Tote Bags, Mesh Bags, Diaper Bags, Computer Bags, Camera Cases, Binocular Cases, Fanny Packs, and non-approved Seat Cushions.

The University encourages fans to arrive early to provide adequate time to enter the stadium.

“We greatly value our fans, teams, stadium personnel and the visiting team and fans, and for their safety we are enhancing security operations,” said Tom McGinnis, Minnesota senior associate athletics director with event management oversight. “We have a comprehensive security plan in place and we work closely with federal, state and local law enforcement to provide a safe experience for our fans.

“While we know this may be an inconvenience for some, we ask for everyone’s patience so that we can get fans into the stadium in time for the 11 a.m. kickoff. The safety and security of our community is our number one priority, and everyone’s help is needed and appreciated.”

Anyone who notices suspicious activity or activities out of the ordinary at any event is asked to immediately call 911.
 

Lame.

I would feel a lot safer if I could carry my Glock 19 in a plastic bag.
 


The Billds will probably enter a few minutes earlier in case the word does not get around.

Ironically, we use totes given to us over the years at games, none of which (at least that we have) were clear plastic.

Should be a beautiful, crisp day for football. We need the W. Hopefully the crowd realizes this is one worth getting into and loud aka Michigan on Halloween.
 



Hey 1967, what are you going to do without your fanny pack now that you have to leave it at home?
 

Thanks ISIS!
Thanks American Tendency to Overreact in this "Terrifying" Modern World!

It's pathetic.
I guess my wife and I won't be bringing our small children to the games any more, which weighs heavily towards not bringing ourselves to the games any more. :( Not that I wasn't already leaning that way with rising ticket prices and small children.
 

Thanks American Tendency to Overreact in this "Terrifying" Modern World!

It's pathetic.
I guess my wife and I won't be bringing our small children to the games any more, which weighs heavily towards not bringing ourselves to the games any more. :( Not that I wasn't already leaning that way with rising ticket prices and small children.

I feel bad for your kids. You should just make them stay in your basement and play video games until they are adults.
 

I feel bad for your kids. You should just make them stay in your basement and play video games until they are adults.
We would but we don't feel like the dog is ready to watch a 2 year old and a 2 month old at home alone yet. And the 2 month old is *terrible* at holding on to a controller.
 



Thanks American Tendency to Overreact in this "Terrifying" Modern World!

It's pathetic.
I guess my wife and I won't be bringing our small children to the games any more, which weighs heavily towards not bringing ourselves to the games any more. :( Not that I wasn't already leaning that way with rising ticket prices and small children.

How does this policy inhibit your ability to bring your small children to the games?
 









How does this policy inhibit your ability to bring your small children to the games?
Carrying children and all of their required crap is annoying enough when everything is even partly organized. Throwing all of their crap in a single clear plastic bag is not a solution I am interested in. I guess you're all much better people and/or more tolerant than I am.

Even without children I completely disagree with the policy. It's their right to make any kind of policy they want as a condition for entering but that doesn't mean I have to put up with the hassle. I will not feel one iota safer at a Gopher game because of this policy...mainly because I feel completely safe already.
Just like the theater of security at the airport, which I have to put up with because flying around the country is quicker and easier than driving. But you know what's quicker and easier than going to a Gopher game, sad as it is to say? Watching it on TV. And with two small children and naps and/or babysitters and me wanting as easy a life as possible, I was already starting down that road.

You are free to say that makes me a terrible fan, because I know some people think that.
 

Throwing all of their crap in a single clear plastic bag is not a solution I am interested in.

Where does it say that you can only bring one bag?

Sounds to me like you don't really want to go to the games anymore and are using this new policy to rationalize it to yourself.
 

Carrying children and all of their required crap is annoying enough when everything is even partly organized. Throwing all of their crap in a single clear plastic bag is not a solution I am interested in. I guess you're all much better people and/or more tolerant than I am.

Even without children I completely disagree with the policy. It's their right to make any kind of policy they want as a condition for entering but that doesn't mean I have to put up with the hassle. I will not feel one iota safer at a Gopher game because of this policy...mainly because I feel completely safe already.
Just like the theater of security at the airport, which I have to put up with because flying around the country is quicker and easier than driving. But you know what's quicker and easier than going to a Gopher game, sad as it is to say? Watching it on TV. And with two small children and naps and/or babysitters and me wanting as easy a life as possible, I was already starting down that road.

You are free to say that makes me a terrible fan, because I know some people think that.

Let us know what you ultimately decide on renewing.
 

Where does it say that you can only bring one bag?
A bunch of bags either by themselves or in a larger bag is not much better in my mind. Maybe I'm just not correctly picturing what would be easiest. I do tend to stress out more than my wife about taking the kids out and how much trouble they are. But she's definitely not a fan of not being able to bring the diaper bag either.

Sounds to me like you don't really want to go to the games anymore and are using this new policy to rationalize it to yourself.
I think I noted that I was leaning towards not renewing anyway and this was another nail in that coffin. I love going to games. But sadly, and for various reasons, my priorities have been shifting over the last year or so. Some things might have to be sacrificed and live Gopher football games may be one of them. I'm still socking away money for next year's season ticket but I won't make a decision until renewals are due.

And as I alluded to, this policy is bigger than just football games to me. As I said in my earlier post, it's indicative of a trend in this country that I don't particularly like.
 


Thanks American Tendency to Overreact in this "Terrifying" Modern World!

It's pathetic.
I guess my wife and I won't be bringing our small children to the games any more, which weighs heavily towards not bringing ourselves to the games any more. :( Not that I wasn't already leaning that way with rising ticket prices and small children.

We'll miss ya. Excuses sound pathetic.
 




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