‘Game plan for safety’: How Central Texas school districts are keeping stands safe on game day

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - In the aftermath of shootings and violence in our schools, the State of Texas is taking action to enhance safety and security with on campus police, and to secure entrances and emergency operation plans.

Many campuses are also investing in the safety of nighttime sporting events.

It’s game night at Waco ISD Stadium, inside the Trojans and Grey Wolves are suiting up for kick-off, outsides fans stream in under a watchful eye.

While all is calm and secure this night, a threat of what could happen is always present, and it has.

In April, a confrontation during a meet in Frisco, Texas, led to the stabbing death of a high school track student.

Last season, a parking lot brawl broke out after a Killeen football game.

While incidents are few, law enforcement and school staff must have their eyes and ears wide open for the worst.

“You know, for me, and I think for most chiefs of police, we prepare for worst case scenarios, so training is very important” Waco ISD Chief Of Police Craig Goodman said.

Along with the importance of training is technology and security, and on big game days it is a collaborative effort to make sure they keep all prohibited items out.

Each gate has checkpoints, including either metal detectors or new AI technology that reveals what’s in your pockets without having to empty them.

Goodman said this also speeds up the process.

“We want to limit their time outside, so we try to get them in as quick as possible, but the idea is to have processes in place to make sure that people are not bringing in prohibited items,” Goodman said.

Fans must have clear bags and cannot bring drugs, alcohol, guns, knives or any other item that could be considered a weapon. Officers only intervene if a gatekeeper alerts them to something suspicious or questionable.

Goodman said often times items are accidentally brought through the gate.

“Nine out of 10 times, a person just has to return that item back to their car but, obviously, if somebody brought a prohibited weapon, then there would be the next step where we’d have to take action against them,” Goodman said.

At smaller Central Texas schools, procedures might look a bit different.

In Valley Mills, the school district established its own police department in 2023 with Chief Roy Fikac and one other officer.

There are no metal detectors at athletic events, but they are vigilant, watching body posture as fans come through the gates.

“I think because of the barriers that we have now, to say that we don’t have any security measures in place for when they come through the ticket line would not be completely accurate. I mean, because we are there. We stage our patrol vehicles up front, where they’re the first thing, that’s the first line of defense,” Fikac said.

A line of defense, fortified with constant communication through two-way radios, and the unmistakable presence of their bright green uniforms.

“They’ve done studies and talked to folks in jail that have committed some pretty violent acts and they’ve indicated that the reason why they went down the road to this other place was because the one that they were targeting first,” Fikac said.

Local schools are reminding everyone to be a good sport while at sporting events. The UIL even launched a campaign called “The Texas Way” aimed at good sportsmanship amongst coaches, athletes and the fans.

In the heat of play, however, good can turn not so good. In February, parents went at each other leading to the ejection of all Whitney fans from a basketball game at Clifton High.

Waco ISD’s Complex Manager Ed Trochim said they are always watching fan behavior, but have been fortunate so far.

“They follow the rules pretty much, and Everybody pays their money and there’s a bad call here and there, but nobody’s storming the field or whatever like that. So it’s fine. People are just having fun. That’s what high school athletics are about,” Trochim said.

He said the camaraderie and his game day staff help things run smoothly and keep the crowd focused on the fun.

Valley Mills has a fan spectator behavior policy. If violated three times, it results in a full calendar ban from events. So far this year, they have not had any problems.

Chief Fikac said culture and pride contribute to the respect fans display at sporting events.

While incidents are rare, the plays on the field bring emotions, that make it necessary for schools of all sizes to have a game plan for safety.

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