By James S. Tyree
Transcript Staff Writer
The University of Oklahoma football fans should arrive a little early for Saturday’s game.
OU football season ticket holders Monday received a letter from university president David Boren that explains stadium security. The letter came with an urgent-looking flier entitled “For Your Safety,” which outlines evacuation procedures in words typed in all capital letters.
The Sooners’ football game this Saturday against Baylor will be their first at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium since the Oct. 1 bombing on the South Oval during the OU-Kansas State football game.
Engineering student Joel Henry Hinrichs III carried the bomb and died in the blast. Boren detailed in the letter what he, university staff and law enforcement did in the moments following the explosion, then explained stadium security procedures and resources that have been in place since shortly after the 9/11 attacks.
They include bomb X-ray devices, many security cameras placed throughout the stadium and concrete barriers to block off streets or sidewalks.
Attention on stadium security and what to do in the event of an emergency will be increased prior to this Saturday’s game, scheduled to kick off shortly after 6 p.m.
“At the next home game, all fans will be given safety instructions when they enter the stadium,” Boren wrote. “I wanted to share with you, our season ticket holders, the enclosed safety instructions (the flier) in advance so that you may have time to think about them before coming to the game. I would also advise coming to the game a little earlier since searches at gates will be particularly thorough.”
James S. Tyree
366-3539
jtyree@normantranscript.com
