After the bombing at the Boston Marathon that took the lives of three and injured 183, many questions about security remain, especially at events with big crowds. It might have been impossible to prevent what happened in Boston, given the distance and openness that a marathon has. But, at other sporting events that happen year round, security has become relaxed as the memories from 9/11 fade away. At many stadiums across the country, fans walk in and could easily bring a weapon with them with no difficulty.
However, one stadium that has had the same policy since 9/11 is Heinz Field during Pittsburgh Steeler games. Fans waiting to enter the stadium stand in a long line at the gate to be padded down by security. That security guard checking fans as they enter Heinz Field could very well be a Cal U student.
Students majoring in sports management are required to work Steeler games, serving as security guards or concession stand workers. Senior Michael Price and junior Jeremy Keenan are both sport management majors and have worked a good number of Steeler games. But after this week, they are questioning whether they should be put in the position they are as security guards.
The thought of having to deal with a potential threat never came across Price’s mind.
“When I worked as a security guard I mainly dealt with the drunks walking in,” he said. “While I was padding them down I never really thought what would happen if I found something I shouldn’t have. I’m not really sure what I would have done in that situation.”
Keenan pointed out that while there were police in the area, if a problem arose the untrained and unarmed security guards would be the first ones in harm’s way.
“If someone was carrying a concealed weapon and I found it, that person would still have me in a bad position,” said Keenan. “I’m not trained in hand to hand combat and the fan could easily have his way with me.”
Keenan also said that because some security guards are just college students, they do not do the best job searching fans. Games with extremely cold temperatures also cause problems for the inexperienced security guards because fans have extra layers of clothes on, giving them more places to hide prohibited items.
With the Boston Marathon bombing fresh in his mind, Price thinks there should be a change in how the security is done at Heinz Field, especially using students.
“I really think Heinz Field should use police or trained security guards to pad down fans entering games,” he said. “I’m a sports management major; I wouldn’t ask a cop to organize an intramural sports league and we shouldn’t ask untrained students to do the police’s job.”
However, one stadium that has had the same policy since 9/11 is Heinz Field during Pittsburgh Steeler games. Fans waiting to enter the stadium stand in a long line at the gate to be padded down by security. That security guard checking fans as they enter Heinz Field could very well be a Cal U student.
Students majoring in sports management are required to work Steeler games, serving as security guards or concession stand workers. Senior Michael Price and junior Jeremy Keenan are both sport management majors and have worked a good number of Steeler games. But after this week, they are questioning whether they should be put in the position they are as security guards.
The thought of having to deal with a potential threat never came across Price’s mind.
“When I worked as a security guard I mainly dealt with the drunks walking in,” he said. “While I was padding them down I never really thought what would happen if I found something I shouldn’t have. I’m not really sure what I would have done in that situation.”
Keenan pointed out that while there were police in the area, if a problem arose the untrained and unarmed security guards would be the first ones in harm’s way.
“If someone was carrying a concealed weapon and I found it, that person would still have me in a bad position,” said Keenan. “I’m not trained in hand to hand combat and the fan could easily have his way with me.”
Keenan also said that because some security guards are just college students, they do not do the best job searching fans. Games with extremely cold temperatures also cause problems for the inexperienced security guards because fans have extra layers of clothes on, giving them more places to hide prohibited items.
With the Boston Marathon bombing fresh in his mind, Price thinks there should be a change in how the security is done at Heinz Field, especially using students.
“I really think Heinz Field should use police or trained security guards to pad down fans entering games,” he said. “I’m a sports management major; I wouldn’t ask a cop to organize an intramural sports league and we shouldn’t ask untrained students to do the police’s job.”
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