TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – In the interest of continued safety for fans, student-athletes, coaches and game day personnel, The University of Alabama will implement walk-through metal detectors at all gates of Bryant-Denny Stadium on game days beginning in September.

"Earlier today, our Board of Trustees voted to move forward with the implementation of metal detectors throughout Bryant-Denny Stadium," said Alabama Director of Athletics Greg Byrne . "It goes without saying that safety at our venues is of the utmost importance, and these security enhancements will help to ensure that our fans, student-athletes, coaches and personnel can enjoy their game-day experience in a safe environment."

The entry process will be similar to the one used during the successful test run that occurred at the final home football game of the 2017 season. Upon arrival, guests will be asked to remove any metal objects from pockets or clothing before going through the detectors. Those with prohibited items will have to dispose of them or return those items to their cars before entering the stadium. Individuals who are unable to pass through a metal detector due to special circumstances will be checked with a hand-held device.

"While this will require some additional time for entry into the stadium, understand that measures will be put in place to help the flow of traffic move as quickly as possible through the gates," Byrne added. "We will also be using more metal detectors than recommended to ensure the smoothest possible entry for our fans at Bryant-Denny Stadium."

These enhanced security measures, in addition to the University's clear bag policy, will be used to enforce existing rules for prohibited items, which include weapons, umbrellas, artificial noisemakers, flags/banners, strollers, computers and more.

Metal detectors are now mandatory at NFL and MLB stadiums and are in use at other college stadiums around the country. In addition, as a result of a recommendation from the Southeastern Conference's working group on event security, it was decided that metal detectors would be utilized at football stadiums across the league, and other events as determined on each campus, by fall of 2020.

The University of Alabama, the state's oldest and largest public institution of higher education, is a student-centered research university that draws the best and brightest to an academic community committed to providing a premier undergraduate and graduate education. UA is dedicated to achieving excellence in scholarship, collaboration and intellectual engagement; providing public outreach and service to the state of Alabama and the nation; and nurturing a campus environment that fosters collegiality, respect and inclusivity.



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