Clear Bags, Full Boots, Can’t Lose

Jennifer Bryant graduated from Texas Tech University in August and is now working towards her master’s degree. Because she was in the Goin’ Band for four years, she was looking forward to her first football game as a spectator, until she was turned away because of her purse.

“They just said ‘You can’t come in here with this,” Bryant said. “And I was really confused, because I just didn’t know.”

Because of the size of her bag, Bryant missed her first home game in four years.

According to Texas Tech’s website, approved bags under a new policy include bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12, one-gallon Ziploc freezer bags, small clutch bags and wallets. Exceptions will be made for medically necessary equipment.

“If we hadn’t have had to park so far away, I probably would’ve just taken my wallet, and put my bag back in the car,” Bryant said. “But I didn’t want to walk all the way back to the car, then back to the stadium again.”

Robert Giovannetti, senior associate athletics director at Texas Tech, wrote in an email that the policy was communicated through social media, newspapers, signs at the stadium and radio.

According to a poll of 98 respondents posted by The Hub@TTU, 71 percent of respondents do not support the clear bag policy.

Market Street is selling clear bags for Texas Tech sporting events.

Market Street is selling clear bags for Texas Tech sporting events.

“People don’t like change and this is a change to what everyone is typically used to,” Giovannetti wrote. “If you go to games around the country, this is a typical practice.”

The poll also asked if respondents had snuck a forbidden item, such as alcohol, drugs or food, into a football game in the past. More than 50 percent of the 116 respondents reported sneaking something in before. Of those who had snuck something in, 77 percent reported bringing the forbidden item without using a bag.

Zachary Williams, a former Texas Tech student, said he has used his pockets to sneak food and other items into college and NFL football games.

“I’ve been pulling out student loans since I’ve been in college, so I can’t afford to pay exorbitant prices,” Williams said.

Melanee Brown/The Hub@TTU

Melanee Brown/The Hub@TTU

He said he has brought alcohol to every college game he has attended in a flask, drinking before he entered the stadium or hiding it in his boot.

“I don’t normally wear boots, but if I do, that’s the reason I wear them,” Williams said.

Giovannetti wrote that other security policies have not been changed. The clear bag policy will be implemented at all ticketed sporting events, including those at other sports venues on campus.

Karson Scharold, a junior electronic media and communication major from Houston, said her boots were checked at the gate of a football game using a stick.

“They kinda stuck it in the sides and said ‘checking for tortillas,'” Scharold said.

Texas A&M and other universities around the country have also implemented clear bag policies. Although campus carry went into effect around the same time, Giovannetti wrote that is not the reason for the policy.

“Campus carry does not apply to an athletic event,” he wrote. “It is intended to maintain the overall safety of our fans and student athletes.”

About Maddy McCarty

Maddy is the Graduate Executive Director for The Hub@TTU. She loves reading, writing and petting her cats. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism, is pursuing her master's in mass communications and wants to continue reporting on important issues.