Tuesday, September 18, 2001

Security increased at stadiums
Associated Press

No coolers will be allowed at NASCAR's race. Backpacks and briefcases will be searched at hockey games. Football fans will be asked to arrive early. Even the Goodyear blimp might not fly.

On the ground, in the sky, at stadium entrances and among tailgaters, security will be increased this week as football, hockey, auto racing and other sports resume.

Fans carrying coolers, umbrellas and bags larger than a purse will be turned away. If it's cold, bulky winter coats and blankets will be allowed in only after they are searched.

Baseball returned Monday night for the first time since terrorists attacked New York and Washington on Sept. 11. New security rules were in effect for all six games, including a ban on coolers, backpacks, large bags and parking within 100 feet of the ballparks.

Things will also be different when the NFL reopens Sunday. Fans will no longer be able to blithely drive into parking lots three hours before a game, tailgate for several hours, then casually walk to their seats just in time for kickoff.

At colleges with large stadiums, fans were warned to be ready for heightened scrutiny. The University of Michigan is expecting a crowd of 110,000 for its game against Western Michigan on Saturday.

“Our fans should expect some possible delays, especially if they continue to come in at the last minute,” said Bill Bess, the university's director of public safety. “We would like fans to get in the stadium sooner than they have in the past.”

Every bag brought into the stadium will be subject to search, and other measures are being taken, although university officials declined to elaborate.

Several schools were working with the FAA to stop airplanes from flying near stadiums, especially planes dragging advertisements.