The Ohio State Buckeyes have instituted a clear bag policy for the team's Big Ten showdown against the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday in the wake of the recent Paris terrorist attacks. Transparent bags with a maximum size of 14" by 14" will be allowed through the doors at Ohio Stadium, the university announced on Monday, with backpacks prohibited from the premises.
Other bags that will be permitted include: one gallon clear plastic freezer bags, small clutch bags (hand-sized, without a strap) that can be placed in a clear bag, and exceptions based on medical needs approved after proper inspection at gates 13, 16, 23 and 26.
“This is a direct result of what’s going on around the world,” Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith said. “We’re trying to respond to that. This is the beginning of different changes you’ll see down the road.”
While Ohio State is the first major program to make a radical change to its security procedures after the tragedies in Paris, other schools and conferences are starting to review their procedures. One Big 12 source indicates that, while there is no information on any potential threats in the United States, program and stadium management teams are reevaluating the current evacuation and shelter situations on site and engaging in a full refresher with employees on the proper steps to take when suspicious activity is observed.
When reached for comment, a Pac-12 official says no changes are current scheduled. However, it is likely that most major college football conference (if not all) have already engaged the question of security on some level following the Paris attack, even if just to reinforce and refresh current policies in the vein of what the Big 12 is doing right now.
Back to the Ohio State Buckeyes Newsfeed