A rainy home-opener against Jacksonville State University Saturday provided a soft launch for the University’s new “Geaux Clear” bag policy at Tiger Stadium, and the change was apparently accepted by Tiger fans, athletic officials say.
Assistant Athletics Director and Game Event Manager David Taylor said the pre-kickoff rain helped ease bag checkers and fans into the new policy.
“When the rain came, it kind of changed the dynamics a little bit,” Taylor said, noting the crowd was lighter than usual but still “busy.”
The crowd arrived at different times, he said, instead of the normal tidal wave in the 30 minutes prior to the game starting.
“Geaux Clear” is a new initiative instituted by LSU and most other SEC schools for all athletic events. Approved bags include clear totes that are 12-by-6-by-12 or smaller, Ziploc bags a gallon or smaller and small clutches 4.5-by-6.5 or smaller.
Other items allowed inside Tiger Stadium include seat cushions, diaper bags no bigger than 12-by-6-by-12 and binocular cases.
Taylor said nothing on gameday or the morning after indicated fans reacted negatively to the new rule.
“I am waiting to see if we get emails or any kind of complaints [this week] that weren’t reported,” he said.
Saturday was the first time the University worked with Landmark Event Staffing Services as the stadium’s bag checkers, Taylor said.
Landmark Event Staffing Services has been on campus since late August in preparation for the home-opener. Taylor said the bag checkers have experience with the same sort of security procedures at New Orleans’ Mercedes-Benz Superdome with the NFL’s clear bag rule.
“These men and women were prepared, so I think from the bag checking standpoint, having this group was a huge asset to us,” he said.
LSU’s Athletic Department had about 5,000 clear bags and 20,000 large Ziplocs to hand out to fans who were not aware of the new policy.
Boy Scout volunteers, internal staff, student interns and parking attendants were instructed to approach fans with noncompliant bags, inform them of the “Geaux Clear” policy and offer a free bag as an alternative, Taylor said.
He isn’t sure everyone has received the message, but he said word of mouth is spreading.
Season ticket holder Patricia France heard about “Geaux Clear” on Facebook. The New Orleans resident was prepared for the new policy, already owning a clear bag from attending Saints games.
“Don’t say you weren’t informed,” she said, noting the policy’s heavy coverage on social media.  
Brenda Smith first heard about the policy on the news and then saw it on Facebook. Terry Huber wasn’t aware of the new policy, but France and Smith got her up to speed prior to the game and loaned her a clear bag.
At first, digital advertising freshman Leah Paternostro said she didn’t see a lot of coverage of “Geaux Clear” until school sporting events started to pick up. The policy has been in use at LSU soccer games for the past three weeks.
“I’m hoping that it’ll get us in the stadium a lot quicker,” she said.
Political science junior Caitlyn Broussard decided not to attend the game on Saturday, but she was out on the Parade Ground in the afternoon. She said she sees how the policy will make checking bags quicker but doesn’t intend to purchase a transparent bag.
“I won’t bring a bag, most likely,” she said.
With the Mississippi State University game Saturday, Taylor hopes the opposing team’s fans are just as informed on the policy. The Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville is also a clear bag stadium.
More information on “Geaux Clear” can be found on LSUsports.net/geauxclear.