Students and fans at this weekend's football season opener against Wyoming will find beefed up security at Scott Stadium. The University decided to increase crowd control precautions after last October's victory over Florida State resulted in a field-rushing celebration that sent several students to the hospital, said Jason Bauman, associate athletic director for facilities and operations.
According to Bauman, the new security plans are based on suggestions from the North Carolina-based security consulting firm Event Security Consulting and Operations (ESCO). Bauman said ESCO provided the University with a number of useful recommendations and guides on crowd management.
"The University is now modifying their operations to support the ACC policy that no fans should be on the field before, during or after any game or competition," he said. "This includes a different deployment of staff and also involves behind-the-scenes efforts to try and educate people about safety."
Although this weekend's face-off against Wyoming will be the season's first home game, and although Bauman anticipates a full house of around 60,000 fans, he predicts that security measures will likely be increased even further in the future when Virginia takes on such rivals as North Carolina and Miami.
University Police Capt. Michael Coleman said the biggest changes visible to the general public will be a greater number of officers on the field and a stronger response to unauthorized people who might venture onto the field. He said there will be around 60 officers on the field this season, up from 40 in previous years.
Coleman also mentioned several measures that will be less visible to fans, including a radio system available for the first time this year at football games. The system allows the University to communicate with all surrounding police departments, fire departments and rescue squads.
"It's a better way of tracking and using our resources," Coleman said.
Despite the extra security and the memory of last year's incident, Coleman and Bauman both anticipate a well-attended, fun-filled season opener.
Come prepared to be safe, Coleman said, but also "come prepared to have a good time."
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