vatz22au 142 Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 From an email: As rumored last week...Tigerwalk is going to go the way of tailgaiting. Nomajor issues in 40 years, but safety is now a concern... -----Original Message----- From: au-sports@yahoogroups.com [mailto:au-sports@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jim Brandt Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2006 12:51 PM To: au-sports@yahoogroups.com Subject: [au-sports] TPTB strike again Let the wailing begin! WDE! jj from today's O/A Paper... AU officials seek 'safer' Tiger Walk Amy Weaver/Staff Writer / www.oanow.com July 11, 2006 Auburn University officials aren't going to wait until a fan or player gets hurt during a traditional Tiger Walk to make it safer. The university's game operations committee will meet later this week to discuss modifying the way Auburn fans line Donahue Drive before home football games to greet players and coaches. Executive Associate Athletic Director Tim Jackson said the matter is up for discussion as part of pre-season planning. Since the 1960s, thousands of fans have lined the street before each home game to cheer on players as they make their way to Jordan-Hare Stadium. No major incidents or accidents have occurred in a Tiger Walk, but Jackson said issues have been raised in the last few years, primarily regarding safety, that is directing officials to take action. The lure of a big game draws such huge crowds that the space players have to walk through can be squeezed down to a single-file line, raising safety concerns. "We've decided to be proactive rather than reactive," Jackson said. "We want to keep the tradition of Tiger Walk, but look at a different way of organizing it to be safer." The committee is searching for a permanent solution to use at all home games. In the past, Jackson said some safety measures have worked and others didn't. In 2003, for example, fans cursed and poured beverages on a barrier of security officers. "That didn't work real well," Jackson said. "We want to be as safe as we can be, but allow players and fans to have the same interaction they've always had," he added. There are many options for the committee to consider, but Jackson said the solution will probably not involve a gate or fence. Anything that people can be smashed against could cause more problems than what it's worth, he said. If the decision requires using people, Jackson said uniformed personnel seem to work best for their ability to control the masses. "Safety is a main thrust," he said. "We haven't had any serious injuries yet, but the potential is there." According to AU athletic officials, the largest crowd believed to have turned out for a Tiger Walk occurred in 1989 when an estimated 20,000 fans packed a one-block section before the Auburn-Alabama game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottomfeeder 244 Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 Good foresight, I like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoAU 1,600 Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 I'll withoul an opinion until I see what they come up with. Hopefully, as they intend, it will not hurt the spirit of the Walk or the interaction between fans and players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger12 46 Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 Well, it does not say what they are going to do, so all the different rumors saying they are going to do this or that may have no substance to them. I read nothing in this article that makes it sound like some bad changes are going to be made. Then again, they could already have some bad ideas in mind and are just trying to sugar coat it so that a stink is not made before they meet about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCTAU 3,327 Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 They should organize about a 100 students, train them in crowd control and etiquette and dress them in the same shirts. Then allow them to create a walking human wall that the players can shake hands through but no fans are allowed to cross. Have police personnel there to ticket anyone crossing the line. This club could become one of the most prestigious on campus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoAU 1,600 Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 I think thats a darn good isea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-zoner 0 Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 They should organize about a 100 students, train them in crowd control and etiquette and dress them in the same shirts. Then allow them to create a walking human wall that the players can shake hands through but no fans are allowed to cross. Have police personnel there to ticket anyone crossing the line. This club could become one of the most prestigious on campus. 247370[/snapback] I hope your kidding...they have the yellow-jacket security crew for that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottomfeeder 244 Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 I like it, CCTAU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUslug 1 Posted July 14, 2006 Share Posted July 14, 2006 They should organize about a 100 students, train them in crowd control and etiquette and dress them in the same shirts. Then allow them to create a walking human wall that the players can shake hands through but no fans are allowed to cross. Have police personnel there to ticket anyone crossing the line. This club could become one of the most prestigious on campus. 247370[/snapback] I hope your kidding...they have the yellow-jacket security crew for that! 247477[/snapback] Yeah but they are lazy and just stand around till the end of the game to make sure everyone stays off the playing field...tough job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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