per Liz Sawyer:
As she approached the TCF Bank Stadium gates, Jennifer Marsnik was promptly turned away by security guards who deemed her small purse half an inch larger than new regulations allowed. She ditched the clutch and entered the stadium carrying tampons in her hand — as her ticket scanner gave her a dirty look.
Gophers fans have expressed exasperation over enhanced security at the University of Minnesota stadium, where a revised bag policy has sparked long lines and confusion since the home opener on Sept. 1. The new restrictions — implemented late last season following the Paris terrorist attacks — prohibit most backpacks, fanny packs, diaper bags, coolers and briefcases. Even umbrellas, seat backs and all but the smallest purses are also prohibited. It allows medically necessary items, clear plastic totes as big as a one-gallon freezer bag and clutch purses about the size of a hand.
Spectators have complained that the U didn’t properly notify ticket holders ahead of time about what is considered contraband, which resulted in hundreds of fans being sent back to their cars to leave behind items that were once allowed inside and are still allowed at other venues, such as Target Field. But university officials say they made every effort to inform fans. Backlash over the policies, which mirror those at Vikings and all other NFL games, is an inevitable growing pain, they said.
Debbie Madison and her friend were also denied entrance to a recent football game when security officers, measuring her bag with a 4.5-by-6.5-inch piece of paper, said it was just oversized. Unwilling to check their belongings at Williams Arena, the women simply gave their tickets away and headed for a drink down the block at Stub and Herb’s.
“[We] decided to spend our money where it was appreciated and go back to our college bar for a good burger and watch the game there,” said Madison, of St. Paul, a retired university employee of 35 years. She’d brought that same purse to Vikings, Twins and St. Paul Saints games in previous seasons.
http://www.startribune.com/tcf-bank...ion-frustration-among-gophers-fans/394644911/
Go Gophers!!
