Untrained Event Staff and Lack of Security

[ApexASU]

We were in section 203 a couple rows behind a group of 4 GaSo fans. One of them was primed for a fight from the start even getting pissed when an older gentleman walked behind him and accidentally brushed his hood. Then he started in with a couple App fans a few rows in front of him. A fight broke out with fists flying. Several people in our section were screaming for security which fell on deaf ears with the Event staffer "monitoring" the section. The Event staffer looked as though she had no clue what to do. Several bystanders went down the opposite set of stairs to the concourse asking a vendor to help locate Security. Security came and hauled the group out, not sure of the total, but at least 6. This was in Q1, right after GaSo's 1st TD.

Event staff was not trained on how to handle an inflamed incident and Security was not accessible. Since everyone knows this is a heated rivalry, why was there not sufficient Security on hand? The GaSo guys were looking for trouble and eventually found it by equal provocation with App fans reacting. If security had been monitoring the situation may have been contained earlier.

Point is we need better trained Event Staff and more Security for games like this. No excuse for letting an inflamed situation get out of hand and the surrounding fans game day experience be disrupted to have to locate Security themselves.

[T-Dog]

Can confirm. It took several minutes for police to show up and I saw punches being thrown.

[ASU85Grad]

I had a similar experience at the UNC game. At least we had Event Staff there, as witnesses if nothing else. There was no event staff or security at Chapel Hill. Took us about 10 minutes to find someone who could get the police. Personally I believe there needs to be more security at all large public gatherings. People are nuts these days.

[ShagNC]

I witnessed something similar in 112 but luckily it was de-escalated by fans. Drunk fans yelling “I will fuck you up!” To others is not a good look.

Side note:drunks are always terrible fighters with zero balance. Why you gotta go instigating shit you know you can’t finish?

[Apptiger]

In the old days they used the wrestling team as in stands vendors. They didn't ever have to do much but the few times they did it was quick and very efficient.
Security at most NFL stadiums has gotten tighter. Lot of crap goes on there and they don't tolerate it. I hate to have to spend money on a lot of security but it seems like we need to. These stories seem to be increasing.

[NewApp]

Whatever happened to the red coats so many on here used to bitch about, saying they were overbearing, during the Cobb era?

[mountaineerman]

I did see under home side stands a fight broke out And a girl who looked to be slam hammered being taken away by police. She could not even stand up.

[teeter88]

Although we never witnessed a fight where we were sitting, there were several incidents of people sitting and standing in the handicap area along the rails just behind the student section that clearly did not belong. Some despite being told multiple times they were blocking our view, would not sit or leave. Most of the time they were not watching the game but talking with people in the student section. We had to tell the person from EPI how to do their job. After the first half, there wasn't an event staff person to be seen anywhere in the area. Same thing happened at the homecoming game. Not sure who at App is responsible but if the school is paying EPI to provide people they need to be there for the entire game and bettered trained to do there job.

[huskie3]

I saw some of the EPI people leaving their station to get out of the weather.

[AppAlum1]

We were in section 203 a couple rows behind a group of 4 GaSo fans. One of them was primed for a fight from the start even getting pissed when an older gentleman walked behind him and accidentally brushed his hood. Then he started in with a couple App fans a few rows in front of him. A fight broke out with fists flying. Several people in our section were screaming for security which fell on deaf ears with the Event staffer "monitoring" the section. The Event staffer looked as though she had no clue what to do. Several bystanders went down the opposite set of stairs to the concourse asking a vendor to help locate Security. Security came and hauled the group out, not sure of the total, but at least 6. This was in Q1, right after GaSo's 1st TD.

Event staff was not trained on how to handle an inflamed incident and Security was not accessible. Since everyone knows this is a heated rivalry, why was there not sufficient Security on hand? The GaSo guys were looking for trouble and eventually found it by equal provocation with App fans reacting. If security had been monitoring the situation may have been contained earlier.

Point is we need better trained Event Staff and more Security for games like this. No excuse for letting an inflamed situation get out of hand and the surrounding fans game day experience be disrupted to have to locate Security themselves.

I saw that kerfuffle & have a video of it. Tried to post it as a .gif, but the file is too large.

Event staff should have a direct dial to law enforcement for situations such as this. Complete BS & there's no place for that at App. football games.

[AppState89]

All of this is nothing at all. Just try going to Georgia Southern next year and see what happens there. It's HORRIBLE THERE!!!!

[moonshine]

I had 4 GS fans a couple of rows in front of me. No problems whatsoever. Although they did get a little more vocal in the 3rd when they went up 24-7 and several App fans around them started to leave. I thought it was kind of funny that they weren't loud and proud from the get go as I have no problem with opposing fans cheering on their team as long as they aren't being over the top.

I think they even somewhat agreed with my take on that weak ass PI call in the EZ that led to the Eagle's 1st TD.

[ApexASU]

All of this is nothing at all. Just try going to Georgia Southern next year and see what happens there. It's HORRIBLE THERE!!!!

We should not accept App becoming Georgia Southern 2.0 in the High Country for the exact reason you just stated.

[AppState89]

All of this is nothing at all. Just try going to Georgia Southern next year and see what happens there. It's HORRIBLE THERE!!!!

We should not accept App becoming Georgia Southern 2.0 in the High Country for the exact reason you just stated.

I agree 100%. I always thank the other fans for coming to Boone, even Georgia Southern fans. We have a good rep anyway.

[Stonewall]

If the event staff doesn’t have the ability to deal with these incidents then they should have radio communication with law enforcement.Otherwise we are negligent.