Enhanced security for state football finals

Published 9:09 am Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Pewamo-Westphalia, which defeated Cassopolis for the Division 7 Regional Championship earlier this month, will face Ishpeming in a battle of undefeated teams at 10 a.m. Saturday. (Leader file photo/AMELIO RODRIGUEZ)

Pewamo-Westphalia, which defeated Cassopolis for the Division 7 Regional Championship earlier this month, will face Ishpeming in a battle of undefeated teams at 10 a.m. Saturday. (Leader file photo/AMELIO RODRIGUEZ)

EAST LANSING — To provide for the convenience and safety of spectators attending the Michigan High School Athletic Association 11-Player Football Finals — presented by the Michigan National Guard — at Ford Field in Detroit, Friday and Saturday, attendees are being advised of a variety of items related to transportation and security — including policies regulating types of bags allowed into the stadium.

Parking will be available in Ford Field facilities and lots to the east and north of the stadium and cost $6. A map identifying the designated Ford Field lot (4) and parking deck can be found on the Football page of the MHSAA Website at http://www.mhsaa.com/sports/football.

There also are a number of privately-operated parking facilities close to Ford Field, but their pricing may differ.

Fans also are advised that tailgating, including the setting up and use of grilling equipment, and the consumption of alcohol, is prohibited in Ford Field parking facilities and lots.

Gates A, B and G will be available for public entrance during the event. Ticket sales will begin near Gates A and G at 8 a.m. each day, and the building will open its doors to spectators at 9 a.m.

Tickets are priced at $10 and allow a fan to see all four games in a single day. Spectators leaving the stadium will be required to purchase another ticket for re-entry. Children under the age of 2 will be admitted without charge for this event. There will not be a public Will Call window.

Upon arrival in the building, fans will find their designated seating areas on the South side of the field if their team is the designated home team for their contest and on the North side for the designated visiting team. Home teams this weekend are Muskegon Catholic Central, Lowell, Ithaca, Zeeland West, Ishpeming, Romeo, Grand Rapids West Catholic and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. Brightly lit video boards above the seating areas will display the names of the participating teams each day, and fans should sit on the side of the stadium where they see their school’s name. For general fans, the entire lower bowl of Ford Field will be open for the event.

Security measures also will be in place to help assure spectator safety. Fans will be subject to a visual search, and Ford Field personnel reserve the right to request patrons open their coats, bags and other item-carrying vessels for visual inspection and deny entrance to individuals who do not cooperate.

Items which fans will be prohibited from bringing into the building include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Purses larger than a clutch bag, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, cinch bags, grocery • paper bags, duffle bags, luggage of any kind, computer and camera bags and large camera cases.

• Aerosol cans (hairspray, mace, pepper spray, etc.)

• Animals (except service animals to aid guests with disabilities)

• Balloons (air or helium)

• Balls (beach balls, footballs, etc.)

• Banners or large flags

• Cameras with lenses longer than five inches. Selfie Sticks also are prohibited.

• Decals, stickers, confetti or glitter

• Electronic equipment including laptop computers, video recorders (hand-held video cameras are allowed), tripods and wearable video cameras including Go Pros.

• Fireworks

• Food, beverages or liquids (cans, bottles, boxes, flasks, etc.)

• Illegal substances

• Knives, pocket knives, box cutters, scissors, etc.

• Laser pointers

• Markers (permanent) and/or paint

• Noisemaking devices (bells, horns, kazoos, whistles, etc.)

• Objects that can be used as missiles or projectiles (sticks, bats, clubs, Frisbees, etc.)

• Seat cushions

• Strollers and infant car seats or carriers

• Umbrellas (large size)

• Weapons

The following items will be permitted after inspection:

• Small bags, purses and fanny packs that do not exceed 8½ inches