ANN ARBOR (WWJ) - A state-of-the art "walk-through weapons detection system" will be greeting fans at the Big House this Saturday in an effort to step up security at the venue, school officials announced.
The University of Michigan said the walk-through system will be implemented at Michigan Stadium, home to Wolverines football, before being put to use at Crisler Center, Yost Ice Arena and other locations in the future.
The new system will be "fully operational" with the U-M football game on Saturday (Nov. 4) vs. Purdue University.
"Increasingly, our fans and our university community embrace safety as a top priority," said Eddie Washington, Executive Director of the Division of Public Safety and Security. "The system and our work to more broadly leverage it on campus builds on our commitment to ongoing security enhancements to prevent harm and ensure the well-being of students, faculty, staff, patients, and guests."
The Big House boasts an impressive seating capacity of 107,601 people -- but it has hosted crowds in excess of 115,000 -- making it the largest stadium in the U.S. and the Western Hemisphere, the third largest stadium in the world and the 34th largest sports venue in the world.
The entire population of the City of Ann Arbor (114,000 people) can sit comfortably inside the Big House with room to spare and on game days, the city estimates its population more than doubles.
Ensuring the safety and security of so many people attending football games is a major undertaking.
According to the university, the Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) will manage the weapons detection system. A rehearsal was conducted in targeted areas during the September and October games at Michigan Stadium.
Guests attending the Nov. 4 match up between the Wolverines and the Boilermakers are encouraged to arrive early to ensure a smooth entry and get to their seats before 7:30 p.m. kickoff; gates open two hours before game time.