The University of Colorado at Boulder's "Competing with Class" campaign will be in effect during the Nebraska football game in an effort to dissuade potentially rowdy fans from behaving like turkeys on the day after Thanksgiving.
The campaign was initiated earlier this year to increase communication about expectations for high levels of sportsmanship and strengthened enforcement of university policies following recent reports of unruly fan behavior.
At the last home game against Missouri on Nov. 8, about 70 fans were stopped at stadium entrances for various violations and were not allowed into the game, officials said. And about 50 other fans were ejected from the game for alcohol violations, throwing objects or abusive behavior.
"We're trying to get the word out that if people try to bring certain items into the game -- alcohol or marshmallows, for example -- and they're caught at the gate, they won't get in," said CU Police Chief James Fadenrecht.
Starting at the game against Missouri and continuing at the Nov. 28 game against Nebraska, fans will see a number of changes including:
* Additional security staff at entry and re-entry points.
* Additional radio-equipped security staff in each section of the stadium.
* Stricter enforcement of policies that prohibit bringing unauthorized items (alcohol, marshmallows, and other items) into the stadium. In the past, people have been struck by marshmallows embedded with heavy objects.
* Stricter enforcement of policies prohibiting throwing items in the stands and onto the field.
"If there are patrons that have concerns about unsafe or abusive behavior they should immediately report those concerns to security personnel and not wait until after the game," Fadenrecht added. Security personnel wearing gold coats and uniformed police officers will be present at the game.
Possible sanctions for violations of university policies include denial of access to the game, ejection and loss of game tickets, loss of season tickets, referral of student violators to Judicial Affairs for disciplinary action, and/or arrest for criminal offenses.
High levels of sportsmanship include welcoming and respecting guest teams, guest bands and visiting fans. Communication efforts supporting the current campaign include advertising in campus media, flyers, messages in printed programs, scoreboard announcements, e-mail correspondence to students and CU-Boulder news releases.
A larger task force also is addressing long-term issues related to improving fan behavior and attitudes. The long-range planning group includes student leaders, alumni representatives, parent leaders, the athletics department, the CU Police Department, security personnel, communications staff and others. The plan is intended to become an ongoing annual effort to reinforce messages and expectations about sportsmanship and safety.