Sports fans soon may feel a bit like airline travelers at University of Arizona home sporting events.
Clear plastic bags are the new mode of carry for fans entering UA athletic venues, a change officials say is required for public safety in light of “recent international events.”
The UA also is reducing the number of public entrances open at sporting events and plans to step up security screenings of people entering sports facilities.
Fans are being asked to arrive early and open their jackets and remove hats to make for speedier searches as they enter a venue.
The changes take effect Dec. 9 for the men’s basketball game at McKale Center against Fresno State.
More than half of McKale’s 12 entrances will be closed for that game. Only five — Gates A, B, C D and E — will be open.
“While there is no credible threat to the university, one major piece of our job is to stay vigilant,” said a statement about the changes on the UA Athletics website.
“While this may seem inconvenient to some, your safety and security is our highest priority,” it said.
Items now banned from UA sports events include diaper bags, camera bags, computer bags, backpacks, fanny packs, briefcases and large seat cushions that have covers, zippers, pockets or compartments.
Purses aren’t allowed unless they are tiny — no larger than a human hand — and they’ll be searched before entry.
Any items fans might normally carry inside a fanny pack or purse must now be zipped inside 1-gallon clear plastic freezer bags or other clear bags no larger than 12-by-12 by 6 inches deep.
Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items, which will be subject to inspection.
Plastic freezer bags will be made available to fans at home games Dec. 9 and 12, said Jeremy Sharpe, a spokesman for UA Athletics.
Fans who show up with unacceptable items will be educated about the new measures for the first few games, he said.
The UA hopes to gain voluntary cooperation to avoid sending people back to their vehicles to drop off items that aren’t allowed inside venues, Sharpe said.
The new security measures are similar to those adopted by the National Football League and some UA peer institutions, he said.
The UA is assigning extra personnel and resources to sports events to help implement the new procedures and explain them to fans.
