Abstract:
The purpose of the study was to determine what spectator security measures have been taken by collegiate football stadium operators because of or as a direct result of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Subjects consisted of Assistant Athletic Directors, Associate Athletic Directors, Directors of Football Operations, an Associate Director, a Coordinator of Football Operations, an Executive Associate Athletic Director, and a Police Sergeant. Percentages were used to analyze the data. A self-constructed survey was designed to asses the spectator security measures that had changed within the Big Ten and MidAmerican Conference football stadiums. The survey was administered using the inQsit® program developed at Ball State University. An on-line survey was sent to 25 universities: 11 universities for the Big Ten and 14 universities in the MidAmerican Conference. Data was collected concerning one research question.With a return rate of 64%, 100% of the universities indicated changing their security measures as a direct result of September 11, 2001. Respondents reported an increase in book bag searches (56%) and body searches (25%). Respondents also identified, as security changes, an increase in law enforcement during football games (100%), restricting air space (94%), notifying ticket buyers ahead of time of security changes (81 %) and the event-operating budget was affected, and changes were made regarding items allowed to be carried into the stadium.