A Southeastern Conference working group on event security will review and update policies intended to address post-game spectator incursion on competition fields and courts in the SEC.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Southeastern Conference working group on event security will review and update policies intended to address post-game spectator incursion on competition fields and courts in the SEC. The SEC Event Security Working Group will also consider strategies to support effective crowd management for the purpose of enhancing the safety and experience of fans, teams, staff and officials, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey announced Friday.
“Current Conference policies need to be reviewed and improved with a focus on addressing field and court incursions by spectators after contests,” said Sankey. “The SEC’s Working Group on Event Security will focus its efforts on reviewing existing policies, developing new strategies and identifying best practices to enhance crowd management and more effectively address field and court incursions at future SEC athletics events.”
The working group, which consists of a cross section of athletics directors, event management directors and campus security personnel from SEC institutions, has been tasked with consulting with campus and industry experts with a focus on providing policy recommendations for approval by the 2023 SEC Spring Meetings with implementation of any changes planned for the 2023-24 athletic year.
The focus on field and court incursion is a continuation of efforts to address event security at SEC athletics events. In October, the presidents and chancellors of the SEC approved a Conference regulation requiring each SEC member institution to verify in writing annually to the Conference Office that an event security review of all sports venues has occurred in consultation with appropriate law enforcement. This security review aims to identify and implement procedures that provide robust security measures at each game and event.
“Providing consistent and appropriate levels of safety and security remains the common goal of SEC member institutions,” Sankey said. “Our institutions remain current and vigilant in crowd control best practices and continue to work with local law enforcement to develop effective security protocols at SEC venues and we need to continue the adaptation of Conference policies to address emerging realities.”
Florida Assistant Athletics Director for Game Management Bryan Flood will be one of 13 representatives in the SEC Working Group on Event Security.
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