How to keep campus sporting events safe

Editor's note: As part of GardaWorld Security’s commitment to spotlighting the full spectrum of safety and security expertise within the global GardaWorld family of companies, we’re proud to feature this guest post from Jeff Spoerndle, Chief Operating Officer at BEST Crowd Management – U.S. 

With decades of experience securing some of North America’s largest venues and events, BEST brings specialized insights into crowd safety, event planning, and emergency response that complement GardaWorld Security’s broader protective services. Spoerndle’s perspective offers a valuable look at how proactive crowd management strategies are shaping the future of public safety, whether at stadiums, festivals, or high-profile gatherings. 

Campus sporting events are high-energy, high-stakes environments. Whether it’s a rivalry football game under the lights or a packed basketball arena, these events unite students, alumni, faculty, and community members in celebration.  

But behind every thrilling moment is a complex operation focused on keeping everyone safe. Ensuring a secure environment not only prevents incidents—it protects the university’s reputation, enhances the fan experience, and helps build long-term trust with the campus community. 

Here’s what it takes to keep campus sporting events running smoothly, from pre-event planning to post-event debriefs. 

Pre-event security planning: Setting the foundation for success

Effective security begins long before fans arrive at the gates. It starts with a deep understanding of the event, the crowd, and the surrounding context. 

“Understanding the event dynamics from the beginning is key,” Spoerndle says. “Each campus has its own culture, and every event draws a different mix of people—students, alumni, visiting fans, faculty, local families—and they all behave differently.” 

Key elements of pre-event security planning

• Comprehensive risk assessments 
  Begin with a full review of potential risks unique to the event: rival teams, homecoming energy, recent incidents on campus, or anticipated large crowds. Historical data and behavioral trends from past events can offer valuable insights. High-profile games or nationally televised matchups often require additional planning layers, including media presence and VIP attendance.

   

• Social media monitoring 
  “We monitor online chatter well before event day,” Spoerndle explains. “That includes looking for keywords related to gate crashing, field storming, or coordinated protests.” 

  Social media gives organizers real-time insights into potential disruptions, such as student-organized stunts or off-campus groups planning to use the event for visibility. Monitoring continues in real time on game day, allowing teams to adapt quickly. 

   

• Scenario-based training and tabletop exercises 
  “You want all partners—security, guest services, EMS, law enforcement—on the same page before the day of the event,” Spoerndle says.  

  Tabletop drills allow teams to walk through response plans for crowd surges, weather evacuations, medical emergencies, and more. These sessions help clarify roles, streamline decision-making, and build trust between departments. 

   

• Law enforcement & campus coordination 
  Every campus has a unique operating model. “Some campuses rely on their athletic departments to oversee security, while others have police departments that take the lead,” Spoerndle explains.  

  “What’s most important is knowing who’s responsible for what and ensuring seamless communication between all groups involved.” Strong relationships with public private partnerships also create a stronger response network if situations escalate. 

Entry and access control: Building a secure perimeter

The front gate is the first chance to stop an issue before it enters the venue. That’s why clear, consistent entry procedures are essential. 

“Credentialing and screening are your first lines of defense,” Spoerndle says. “Once someone is inside, your options become more limited.” 

Key practices for access control: 

• Credential verification and badging systems 
  Everyone entering restricted areas—media, staff, teams, vendors—should be properly credentialed. “Individuals will try to sneak in with counterfeit passes or by impersonating employees, especially during large events,” Spoerndle says. “Having a system that tracks and verifies credentials is critical.”  

  Best practices include using color-coded, scannable, and tamper-proof badges.

   

• Layered security screening 
  “Every item, every person, and every vehicle should go through appropriate screening at every single entry point,” Spoerndle emphasizes. This could involve:
  • Early K-9 sweeps for explosives and suspicious packages.
  • Walk-through magnetometers or handheld wands at all public entrances.
  • Bag checks or clear bag policies to reduce time and increase transparency.
  • Vehicle checkpoints for team buses, deliveries, and vendors.

  • Mobile command units or aerial monitoring drones for high-risk events

     

• Crowd flow management during ingress 
  Long lines and disorganized queues can quickly become flashpoints. “Bottlenecks create frustration, and frustrated people are more likely to act out,” Spoerndle notes. Effective strategies include: 
  • Pre-event signage and digital alerts about parking and entry times.
  • Using barricades or bike racks to form structured lanes.
  • Having line management teams positioned far beyond the gate area, including in parking lots and near campus entry points.
  • Diversifying access points and assigning specific gates to groups (students, alumni, VIPs) helps reduce the pressure on main gates. 

During the event: proactive crowd management

Once the game starts, the security strategy shifts from preparation to real-time management. A calm, visible, and coordinated presence is essential for all crowd management professionals. 

“Crowds behave differently once inside,” Spoerndle says. “The energy builds. People let their guard down, especially when alcohol is involved. Crowd management teams have to be ready.” 

Tactics for onsite crowd management 

• Uniformed and plainclothes personnel 
  “Uniformed personnel serve as a strong visual deterrent and are positioned to react to incidents in real time,” Spoerndle says. “However, plainclothes personnel offer a different perspective—they observe crowd behavior when people assume no one is watching.” This dual approach creates both prevention and early intervention opportunities.

   

• Dedicated emergency response teams 
  Having quick-response teams stationed throughout the venue allows for immediate reaction to medical issues, altercations, or suspicious activity. These teams should be in constant contact with all other venue partners via radio, ensuring they can adapt to changing situations without delay.

   

• Monitoring crowd behavior and energy 
  “Training staff to recognize when sections are getting too rowdy or when energy shifts from excited to aggressive is critical,” Spoerndle explains. If needed, teams can step in to de-escalate before things spiral. Proactive engagement—like checking in with fans or offering help—can make a difference. 

   

Incident response & emergency preparedness

Despite thorough planning, unexpected incidents can still occur. The way security teams respond to these situations is crucial in maintaining order and safety.  

“Even the best-prepared teams need to be ready for unpredictable scenarios,” Spoerndle stresses. “Clear evacuation plans and thorough staff training are critical to managing emergencies smoothly.”

Core components of emergency response at events 

• Strong communication and set emergency plans 
  On-site paramedics, roving EMTs, and clearly labeled first-aid stations are must-haves. Coordination with nearby hospitals ensures rapid transport if needed. 

  All team members must be trained and rehearsed in evacuation procedures. Every section of the venue should have a clear path out, with staff ready to direct fans if evacuation is necessary. 

  “Having strong communication with all partnering entities and having a collaborative well-rehearsed plan builds muscle memory and ensures a more coordinated response,” Spoerndle explains. “Ultimately, organization, communication, and practice are the keys to success.” 

   

• Crisis communication tools 
  Clear and timely communication is essential during emergencies. Security teams should have access to multiple communication channels such as public address systems, text alerts, and social media platforms to keep fans informed and calm.  

  “We rely on multiple channels—scoreboards, PA announcements, text alerts, social media—to keep people informed,” Spoerndle explains. “In a crisis, silence leads to panic. Timely, clear communications are essential to keeping attendees up to speed.” 

   

• Managing disruptions and protests 
  Sporting events receive significant media attention, making them prime locations for demonstrations. If a protest or disruption occurs, whether planned or spontaneous, response teams must balance crowd safety with constitutional rights.  

  “How do we allow people to express their First Amendment rights while ensuring that attendees can enjoy the event without disruptions? Security planning must account for all angles—local community concerns, national trends, and historical behaviors—so that the right strategies can be implemented to keep everyone safe while maintaining the event’s integrity,” Spoerndle explains. 

   

Post-event: debrief, improve, repeat

When the final whistle blows, the job isn’t done. “Post-event security is just as important,” Spoerndle says. “Exits can be chaotic if they’re not managed properly.” 

Key post-event strategies 

• Controlled exits and traffic flow 

  Fans leaving all at once can overwhelm exits and roadways. Staggered egress, staff-guided routes, and pre-coordinated rideshare or shuttle plans help maintain order.

   

• Debrief and review sessions

  In this industry, it’s easy to move from one event to the next without stopping to analyze what went well and what could improve. But post-event debriefings are where real growth happens.

  “During collaborative post-event sessions, each entity involved in event security—whether it's law enforcement, venue operations, or guest services—has a unique perspective on what occurred,” Spoerndle explains. “Bringing those insights together can help refine processes and address blind spots that may currently go unnoticed.” 

   

• Aligning on-campus departments to engage their community 

  Strong department relationships and aligned values when it comes to campus security is vital to keeping sporting events secure year-round. 

  “When event organizers, athletic departments, and Student Affairs work together to promote a culture of safety, that’s where you see real cultural shifts toward an overall safer environment on campus,” Spoerndle concludes. 

   

Upcoming trends in campus event security 

Looking ahead, Spoerndle sees significant shifts in the landscape of campus event security:

• New facility designs 
  “One of the biggest changes will come from new facility designs. Many campus venues are 50+ years old and weren’t built with today’s security threats in mind. As universities construct newer, more modern venues, security measures will naturally improve.”

   

• Expansion of metal detection 
  “Another major shift will be the expansion of metal detection. Currently, less than 50% of campuses utilize metal detectors, and in most cases, the limitation is budget—not willingness. However, with the increase in security threats, more universities are prioritizing funding to implement advanced screening technology.”

   

• Greater reliance on event security partners 
  “I believe we’ll see greater reliance on security partners like BEST Crowd Management. By leveraging best practices from large-scale venues, we can help universities implement cost-effective, scalable solutions to enhance safety without disrupting the fan experience.” 

   

What sets BEST Crowd Management apart 

When it comes to partnering with a security provider, Spoerndle believes BEST stands out in three critical areas: 

• Quality and quantity of personnel

  Operating in over 35 markets with 25,000+ professionals nationwide, BEST Crowd Management excels in providing high-quality, reliable staff for every event. Our staffing model blends the expertise of a dedicated Talent Acquisition team with experienced local operators to ensure engaged, proactive team members who are trained to handle all aspects of crowd management. We prioritize hiring individuals with the key traits of alertness, awareness, and a genuine desire to make a difference, ensuring they remain focused on public safety throughout the event. 

  Additionally, ongoing red team testing—using undercover personnel to evaluate our security measures—helps identify and strengthen any gaps, ensuring continuous improvement.

   

• Expertise in talent acquisition

  Our Talent Acquisition team works year-round to ensure a strong, reliable workforce ready for any event. By utilizing a robust recruitment system, we attract top talent and thoroughly vet each candidate. This ensures that we consistently provide skilled professionals who are dedicated to maintaining safety and delivering exceptional service.

   

• Boutique approach, powered by GardaWorld

  BEST Crowd Management offers a personalized, boutique approach to each client, fostering strong, close relationships. At the same time, our global parent company, GardaWorld, provides access to additional resources and expertise as needed, ranging from manned guarding resources to real-time crisis intelligence and advanced security technology. This allows us to scale quickly and respond with the right solutions for any campus event, ensuring that we meet specific needs while having the capability to handle large-scale or complex security challenges. 

   

How to secure your next campus sporting event 

BEST Crowd Management has decades of experience partnering with colleges and universities to deliver secure, memorable sporting events. With over 35 college and university partnerships nationwide, we're proud to offer a tailored approach to all aspects of event day—from training and uniforms to operational procedures customized for each venue. 

Contact us today to start planning for your next campus event.