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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-Oct. 31, 2002
Contact: John Johnson or Randy Allen
517.332.5046 or www.mhsaa.com
Security Advisory Issued
For Fans Attending
Football Finals At Pontiac Silverdome
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Oct. 31 - Spectators attending the
Michigan High School athletic Association Football Playoff Finals
at the Pontiac Silverdome, November 29 and 30, are being advised
to arrive early for those games, and to travel light for security
reasons.
"Security issues at major sporting venues continue to be
at the top of everyone's list so that spectators can have an
enjoyable experience in as safe an environment as possible,"
said Nate Hampton, MHSAA Assistant Director and the staff member
who coordinates the Football Playoffs. "Given the recent
events in our country, we feel the security measures enacted
at the Silverdome and other major sporting venues are essential,
and fans understand the need to arrive early and to have belongings
they bring to the stadium searched."
As a convenience for fans, the Silverdome has instituted "Express
Lanes" at its entrances, where fans who are not carrying
any items into the building should enter.
Items which will be allowed into the building include: Fanny
packs and ladies handbags (no larger than 8 ½ x 11"),
small binoculars and small soft camera cases (detachable lenses
are OK), cellular telephones and portable radios of similar size,
radio headsets (no larger than 6 x 8"), video cameras that
are handheld and battery powered. All electrical items must
be turned on to ensure that they work. Fans with video cameras
are reminded that the use of tripods and electrical cords is
prohibited in the Silverdome.
The list of prohibited items does not differ much from previous
years. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, the
following: Noise-makers of any type (cow bells, plastic jugs
to be used like shaking noise makers, air horns, thunder sticks/excite
sticks, etc.), flags or banners on a stick or pole, tripods,
audio tape recorders, laser lights/sights, missile-like objects,
bottles (plastic or glass), cans, hard case containers, coolers,
bags, backpacks, soft coolers, larger portable radios or TVs,
products dispensed by aerosol, medium and large camera cases
and weapons of any kind (including pocket knives).
Gates open at 9 a.m. each day for the first session, and at
4 p.m. for the second session. Fans are encouraged to arrive
at least one hour in advance of the listed game time for the
second game of each session (1 p.m. and 8 p.m.) to ensure that
they can pass through the security checkpoints in plenty of time
to be in their seats for their game.
In the parking areas, fans traveling in large trucks, vans and
motor homes are advised that their vehicles may be subject to
visual inspections in the Silverdome parking lot. Fans tailgating
in the Silverdome parking lot are reminded that the consumption
of alcohol, and the use of charcoal and wood burning grills is
prohibited.
The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary
membership by over 1,300 public and private senior high schools
and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common
rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government
funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such
association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament
entry fees from schools. Member schools which enforce these
rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments, which
attract approximately 1.6 million spectators each year.
Farm Bureau Insurance and MEEMIC Insurance
are year-round MHSAA Corporate Partners
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