When fans and marching band members enter a stadium to experience the spectacle of athletic competition, they rarely consider the complicated logistics implemented by security personnel, game day operations staff, and band directors to ensure their safety throughout the day. Until, that is, an incident occurs.
On Aug. 24, 2019, following a game versus the University of Miami, Jay Watkins, director of the University of Florida Marching Band, was injured. According to media reports, Watkins was grabbed from behind and pushed to the ground after attempting to stop a woman from getting through his band’s ranks as it exited Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, to get to the buses.
Less than one month later, University of Iowa marching band members reported that they experienced physical and verbal abuse from Iowa State University fans as the band exited onto a crowded pathway at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa, following the rivalry game on Sept. 14.
News reports reveal that the opposing marching bands were not involved in the incidents and showed empathy and support to the individuals who were hurt.
No matter its size, every academic institution has an emergency action plan that includes public safety at athletic events, says Justin M. Eberly, an Emergency Medical Technician and firefighter with a background in public emergency management and with experience working with marching bands.
Considering recent events in Florida and Iowa, colleges and high schools should review and revise their game day security plans and procedures to keep everyone safe.
“As directors we have to put our kids in safe environments, and we have to advocate for our guests with our own people on our campuses,” says Jeffrey Fuchs, director of university bands at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill.
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Denne historien er fra November/December 2019-utgaven av Halftime Magazine.
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Vandegrift High School
When Mozart composed “The Magic Flute,” he likely didn’t envision a 386-member marching band and dance company performing the famous opera.
Captain Of Her Own Destiny
During my first season of high school marching band as a freshman trumpet player at Clear Creek High School in League City, Texas, I hardly noticed the four girls twirling flags at the back of the field.
VARSITY SPIRIT
A major new player has entered into the marching arts activity. See how Varsity Spirit, known for cheerleading apparel, competitions, and camps, has already made an impact to elevate the student experience.
THE AMBULANCE ARENA
Know how and why to activate the Emergency Medical Service for your event.
KEEP IN TOUCH
Group management tools help band directors communicate information, share photos, videos, and files, and even manage finances at their fingertips.
TARPS ON THE FIELD
Used in various shapes, sizes, and colors, tarps help marching groups transform the football field into their own stage.
THE DRUM MAJOR LIFECYCLE
From aspiring hopeful to drum major, from student to teacher, and from motivated to motivator, a drum major grows by leaps and bounds during her time on the podium with the University of Delaware and with the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy.
SPIRIT & SYNERGY
With formations of giant stick figures doing the “floss,”
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
The University of Southern California ( U S C )Trojan Marching Band (TMB) has many nicknames:
REVIEWING GAME DAY SECURITY
Safety first! Both host and visiting bands must join forces with administrators and security personnel to create a positive event experience.
