Rowdy sports crowds leads to nerve-wracking security jobs
Countless fans and students love cheering on their team at various sporting events. For many, it's a wonderful experience, in terms of both watching the game and soaking in the environment. However, with how intense and irate some crowds can get for one reason or another,
Blacksburg, VA, May 1, 2024 - Stands: A row of seats and sitting room at English Field in Blacksburg. Photo: John Anderson
I'd bet that almost every single student at Virginia Tech has been to at least one sporting event at some point during their time at the school, past or present. Going to a game with fans providing an electric environment is a sight to behold. Fans jumping up and down to Enter Sandman shaking the earth, both figuratively, and per an article from FanSided, literally.
However, an overlooked aspect of keeping these events in check is the security. There are so many layers that go into keeping the fan experience at a sports game safe, and with how some home crowds can get, rising tension amongst the agitated can be inevitable, which can lead to worry for the workers' own safety. While football is the king of lunatics stirring up a mess, baseball crowds in the spring are not off the hook, either. Security worker Chester Decowski has expressed thoughts on the crowds at English Field.
"The only one that would really come close [to football] is baseball...the fans get real rowdy, they like to call names, and just get out of hand."
Per a ZipRecruiter study as of late April 2024, the average security officer only makes $18 an hour, which may be a dollar up on the nationwide average, but still doesn't seem nearly high enough to justify the dangers that can come with it. When it comes to comparing college and professional environments, it almost goes without saying that the former provides a more dangerous experience for the workers. Sports fan Adam Ange shares this sentiment.
"I've never been to a college sport, personally, but I hear a lot of people talk about what college they go to...and there's people that are committed to a college at a very young age and will only watch that team."
A 2023 CISO survey indicates that stress is a common indicator in top personal risks of working in security. In a sports environment, where alcohol and college students mix, there's bound to be problems. It's important that those working security aren't ignored in these rage-fueled messes, as without their efforts, hosting these sportings events would be impossible.
This graph goes into the stadiums themselves rather than just fans, and how it may have an impact on these crowds being so hostile.