NCS⁴ NEWS February 6, 2025

Thank you to everyone who attended the SOLD OUT 2025 National Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security Forum at Duke University. The expert panels and breakout sessions provided insight and new, collaborative ideas for topics that affect our industry. Attendees reviewed the NCS⁴ Best Practices for intercollegiate athletics.

Thank you to the Intercollegiate Athletics Advisory Committee for your guidance and support.

Thank you to our Solution Partners WHO HELPED MAKE THE FORUM POSSIBLE!

Make Plans and Join NCS⁴ for the 16th National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition

Registration is open for the 16th Annual National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition on June 30 – July 2, 2025, at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio, TX. We hope you will join us.

The 2025 conference theme, Setting the Standard, focuses on defining and implementing the highest levels of safety and security practices for sports and special events. This year's conference seeks to inspire a proactive approach to advancing safety and security programs through the convergence of people, processes, and technology. Attendees will explore how to create a culture of safety, build trust with stakeholders, and respond effectively to emerging threats, all while striving to set a new standard for excellence in safety and security.

The conference will offer dynamic programming, solution provider engagement, and opportunities to network with fellow professionals. This highly regarded gathering of sports safety and security professionals is an opportune time to share ideas, tools, and proven strategies to help advance the industry.

What to expect as a conference attendee:

• Meet and greet at the opening reception and social
• Hear from leading industry experts on current topics and technology advancements
• Participate in interactive panel discussions
• Attend the Awards Luncheon
• Network with peers
• Engage with panelists and attendees in dynamic breakout sessions
• Explore emerging technologies
• Discover new products and services in the Exhibit Hall

Register by April 15 and save $$$ with the early-bird rate. Prices increase on April 16, 2025.

See complete details and exclusions on the website.

• Member Rate: $650 per person
• Non-Member Rate: $725 per person
• Group Rate: $625 per person
• Private Sector Attendee: $900 per person

Exhibitors may register online. To request information on exhibiting and sponsoring, please contact Sara Priebe, NCS⁴ Event and Membership Manager, at sara.priebe@usm.edu or 601-266-6858.

The NCS⁴ Announces the 2025 Young Professional Scholarship Program

The NCS⁴ is committed to educating the next generation of sport and special event security professionals. The Young Professional Scholarship Program is designed for professionals 40 years of age or younger working in the sports and entertainment security industry. The scholarship program is sponsored by Axis Communications and supports young professionals’ educational goals by covering the NCS⁴ Annual Conference and Exhibition registration fee. Recipients are exposed to general educational programming, innovative technology solutions, security expert insights, and networking opportunities.

The NCS⁴ will award five scholarships covering the cost of registration to the National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition, June 30 – July 2, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.

Application Deadline: February 28, 2025, @ 11:59 pm CDT

Recipients Notified: March 14, 2025

Application Criteria

• Applicants must be 40 years of age or younger.
• Applicants must be current practitioners in the sports and entertainment industry.
• Applications must be completed online and submitted before the deadline.
• Recipients must be able to attend the National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition on June 30 – July 2, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.

Click the button below to register or share with someone you know who might benefit from the scholarship!

REGISTERED NCS⁴ CONFERENCE EXHIBITORS AND SPONSORS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR THE 2025 GOLDEN EAGLE AWARD

Excellence in Design and Innovation in Sport Venue Security Integration

Applicants from leading systems integration, architecture, design, engineering, and consulting firms are invited to submit case studies from successful projects that had safety and security at the forefront of planning and execution.

The 2025 Golden Eagle Award recognizes excellence in system integration, architecture, engineering, and/or construction (A/E/C) specifically related to the safety and security of spectators, property, and infrastructure of spectator event facilities. The Golden Eagle Award considers critical design and functionality elements that enable and promote the safety and security of all stakeholders in an efficient and effective manner.

A panel of judges reviews all applications to determine the most compelling projects. The winning submission will be selected as the 2025 Golden Eagle Award recipient, with the opportunity to present their case study to attendees at the National Conference. The winner will be recognized at the Awards Luncheon during the National Conference.

Applicants are asked to provide the following project information for judges’ consideration:

• Describe what risk or security issue your company was hired to address
• Provide an overview of how your team strategically approached the project/security issue
• Share details on the solution you provided, including technologies used to mitigate the security issue
• Explain how the solution balanced safety/security with the fan experience
• Submit a 600-word case study about the project

Judges will also consider:

• Relevance to the sports industry
• Effectiveness and efficiency of the solution in solving the identified problems/issues
• The use of creativity, innovation, and technology in a way that leads the industry forward

To participate, interested applicants should complete an online application and submit it by March 18, 2025.

Thank you to our Sponsors and Exhibitors

NCS⁴ Releases 2024 Marathon and Endurance Event White Paper

The NCS⁴ staff surveyed attendees from the Marathon and Endurance event forum to gauge the operational practices and safety and security concerns of marathon and endurance event personnel. The survey consisted of 21 questions covering demographics, race event details, safety and security concerns, emergency planning, response, and communications. The results of this survey have been condensed into the 2024 Marathon and Endurance Event White Paper. Special thanks to those who participated in the survey.

The NCS⁴ Hosts Courses at Yankee Stadium

In late January, the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) conducted course deliveries for the Sport and Special Event Risk Management and Planning (AWR-167) and Crowd Management for Sport and Special Events (MGT-475) courses at Yankee Stadium, with the NYPD-Yankee Stadium Detail, their partners at the New York Yankee Foundation, and representatives from the New York State Office of Emergency Management.

This course represents a cooperative effort between The University of Southern Mississippi’s National Center for Spectator Sports Security and Safety (USM/NCS⁴) and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service - TEEX National Emergency Response and Recovery Training Center (TEEX/NERRTC), a member of The Texas A&M University System.

This Week's GAMEDAY SECURITY Must Read

Deploying red teams in sports venues to identify safety and security gaps positively impacts security operations, leading to increased safety and security for fans, athletes, and team members.

CISA Vehicle Incident Prevention and Mitigation Security Guide

The Vehicle Incident Prevention and Mitigation Security Guide aims to provide vehicle threat mitigation training and recommended options for consideration. It offers an overview of the threat environment and provides resources to help stakeholders strengthen organizational security and safeguard against direct threats and unintentional hazards. This resource is intended for facilities and venues of all sizes.

2024 Research Impacts Practice Report Released

The Research Impacts Practice report showcases applied research from the NCS⁴ staff, research affiliates, and colleagues nationally and internationally. The report recognizes these contributions in advancing the body of knowledge, subsequently adding value to academic programs and professional industry settings as we work to improve the safety and security of sports and entertainment venues and events.

NCS⁴ eLearning Options

The NCS⁴ eLearning platform, NCS⁴ LEARN, provides opportunities for individuals and organizations to access asynchronous professional development opportunities. Current offerings include the following:

• Frontline Staff Foundational Skills
• Venue Staff Training
• Crowd Manager Fundamentals
• Senior Leader Course: Sports and Entertainment Security

Please visit the website or contact us at NCS4Learn@usm.edu if you have any questions or would like to inquire about bulk registration.

Click one of the links above or the button below for details or to register.

The NCS⁴ is the only organization that offers a certification recognizing expertise in sport security management. Earning the Certified Sport Security Professional (CSSP) designation sets you apart from other professionals and highlights your dedication to remaining current with industry trends. Professionals in the sports security industry need to have a firm grasp of public safety measures and understand how to apply those measures in the unique environments created by sports venues and events. The CSSP certification validates expertise in the following domains:

• Business and Facility Management
• Emergency Planning
• Emergency Management
• Legal and Regulatory
• Crowd Management
• Security Principles and Practice

The CSSP certification is awarded to individuals who meet experience, education, and professional reference criteria and pass an exam relevant to sports safety and security management. It is maintained through ongoing continuing education and industry contribution requirements every three years.

TARGET AUDIENCE

• Venue/Event Security Directors/ManagersVenue/Event Operations Directors/Managers
• Law Enforcement
• Emergency Managers
• Private Security Practitioners
• Fire/HAZMAT
• EMS
• Other Sports Safety and Security Leaders

BENEFITS

• Expand security knowledge and experience
• Strengthen relationships with peers
• Broaden career opportunities
• Demonstrate a commitment to professional development

IMPORTANT LINKS

• CSSP Application Process
• Senior Leader Course: Sports and Entertainment Security
• See the CSSP Candidate Handbook for eligibility, application, exam preparation, and recertification details.

For more information, visit the website by clicking the button below or contact CertificationSupport@usm.edu.

Fundamentals of Crowd Safety Course

NCS⁴ and GKStill International have partnered to jointly offer the Fundamentals of Crowd Safety online eLearning course to address capability gaps in crowd behavior and sciences. Professor Dr. G. Keith Still, Visiting Professor of Crowd Science at the University of Suffolk, developed this certified, accredited course. The course offers an 8-hour online interactive experience designed to teach the essential elements of crowd safety and crowd risk analysis. The course is especially valuable to event organizers, as it ensures that those who complete it are compliant with the NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code — specifically, the areas of section 12 of the code that require a venue to provide a crowd manager trained in crowd management techniques for occupancies exceeding 1,000.