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COMING TO A BALLPARK NEAR YOU?
Written by: Craig Shelton
5/18/2011/2011
During the 2010 college football season, I was fortunate enough to have another notch in my proverbial "sports bucket list" knocked off the list, when I watched Michigan play UMass in the "Big House" in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Written by: Craig Shelton
5/18/2011/2011
During the 2010 college football season, I was fortunate enough to have another notch in my proverbial "sports bucket list" knocked off the list, when I watched Michigan play UMass in the "Big House" in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Prior to my visit to Ann Arbor last year, I was lucky enough to visit Lambeau Field for the Texans vs. Packers in minus three degrees temperature in 2008. This particular bucket list trip to Wisconsin was highlighted by my having the opportunity to meet former Houston Oiler and current Packers' GM, Ted Thompson, in the press box.
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The Frozen Tundra Of Lambeau Field |
Another highlight was having the opportunity to go down on the "frozen tundra" (it's really frozen folks) at eight in the morning to test the broadcast equipment. The station I was employed by at the time (CBS Radio/Sports Radio 610) was the broadcast home of the Houston Texans, Houston Rockets, and the University of Texas. Working as an on-air talent, paved the way for some pretty sweet perks relative to visiting sports venues and meeting related personalities.
Most recently when in Detroit for a Counter Terrorism Surveillance training course, my company sponsored a trip to Comerica Park. I, along with fellow division supervisors as well as other company staff members and administrators were treated to a fantastic major league baseball atmosphere. The Tigers took on the Seattle Mariners on a beautiful evening for baseball, in a great baseball theme park, Comerica Park. Comerica is an awesome theme park design-laced in the rich Detroit Tigers' history. That rich Tigers' history is evident throughout the ball park in the form of numerous monuments and informational displays.
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Reliant Stadium |
WAY DOWN SOUTH
If I had to describe Houston's sports venues collectively (Reliant Stadium, Minute Maid Park, and Toyota Center) I'd best describe them collectively as, "state of the art". That said, you folks will have to find it in your collective cynical hearts to forgive us for that goofy train atop Minute Made Park, and that dumb "flag pole" smack dab in the middle of center field, aka "Tal's Hill". (God, that was an idiotic design. Signed: The Ford Edsel.)
If I had to describe Houston's sports venues collectively (Reliant Stadium, Minute Maid Park, and Toyota Center) I'd best describe them collectively as, "state of the art". That said, you folks will have to find it in your collective cynical hearts to forgive us for that goofy train atop Minute Made Park, and that dumb "flag pole" smack dab in the middle of center field, aka "Tal's Hill". (God, that was an idiotic design. Signed: The Ford Edsel.)
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Tea Party Supporters |
During the week that was "Houston Texans vs Dallas Cowboys Week" last season, (which only occurs once every four years mind you) things got a little crazy at the tailgate parties out at Reliant Stadium. Numerous fights between Texans and Cowboys fans prompted season ticket holders to come together in an act of solidarity that rivals a Tea Party convention. With an extra 20 thousand fans on the premises partying at tailgates, free alcohol, and a not so cozy mixture of inebriated football fans, the stage was set for disaster!
ANYTHING THAT CAN HAPPEN, WILL HAPPEN
After observing the events out at Reliant on Texans/Cowboys Sunday, I began looking at things per my professional training.
There were numerous glaring holes in Reliant Stadium's security contingencies I observed on that Sunday. My best definition of what I observed by definition in a phrase was "cosmetic security". They were clearly "reactive" as opposed to "proactive". When the crowds got testy, officers responded and fought fires (metaphorically) very effectively. The issue from my perspective was that what I saw ineffective preventive measures in place where more effective measures should have been instituted to avoid incidents from occurring in the first place.
Though the stadium had hardened perimeters associated with all stadium arteries into the stadium, foot access into the ground was "soft". I observed fans being allowed onto the premises on foot carrying backpacks and coolers without being screened by security or law-enforcement.
None of the vehicle entry points into the stadium had bomb or device-sniffing canine presence at entry points as a deterrent to threats.
There were numerous glaring holes in Reliant Stadium's security contingencies I observed on that Sunday. My best definition of what I observed by definition in a phrase was "cosmetic security". They were clearly "reactive" as opposed to "proactive". When the crowds got testy, officers responded and fought fires (metaphorically) very effectively. The issue from my perspective was that what I saw ineffective preventive measures in place where more effective measures should have been instituted to avoid incidents from occurring in the first place.
Though the stadium had hardened perimeters associated with all stadium arteries into the stadium, foot access into the ground was "soft". I observed fans being allowed onto the premises on foot carrying backpacks and coolers without being screened by security or law-enforcement.
None of the vehicle entry points into the stadium had bomb or device-sniffing canine presence at entry points as a deterrent to threats.
THE REALITY OF THE TIMES?
My intent here isn't to spread a message of doom or paranoid reactions at sporting events. What I hope to establish is a higher awareness by all when at ballparks, football stadiums, or basketball arenas, ect. Sadly, one of the greatest American past times of going to sporting outings in my opinion has become an area of legitimate concern. As Americans, we clearly can't change our lifestyle habits due to the evils of society. What we must do is educate our families and loved ones on how to play safe. We have to sell our families on the urgency in playing with raised awareness and a general commitment to vigilance where terror is concerned.
My intent here isn't to spread a message of doom or paranoid reactions at sporting events. What I hope to establish is a higher awareness by all when at ballparks, football stadiums, or basketball arenas, ect. Sadly, one of the greatest American past times of going to sporting outings in my opinion has become an area of legitimate concern. As Americans, we clearly can't change our lifestyle habits due to the evils of society. What we must do is educate our families and loved ones on how to play safe. We have to sell our families on the urgency in playing with raised awareness and a general commitment to vigilance where terror is concerned.
YES, OSAMA IS DEAD AMERICA, BUT WE ARE ONLY AT HALF TIME OF A 7-7 BALL GAME AS IT RELATES TO THE WAR ON TERRORISM.
Craig Shelton
HMW
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2 comments:
When do i get to come on with you cats. But I need to tell you, you are misspelling my name, its Greg Koch, not KCOH. Don't be hatin on this cracka! Out!
Sorry about your name but KCOH is the call letters of 1430AM. I'll be sure to watch out for that. If you are free on Sundays from 5-6 The Cut will gladly have you on
Sincerely
Professional Local Radio Listener
LM
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