CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – The football season kicks off for Horry County Schools next week, but going to a game may feel like entering an NFL stadium because of the district’s new clear bag policy.
Earlier this week, HCS approved a clear bag policy for all football games, as well as boys and girls basketball. The district started using metal detectors and searching bags back in 2010.
HCS athletic assistant to the chief officer for support services Roger Dixon says the clear bag policy will also protect fans.
“Hopefully, this will help us with the safety as far as any disturbances at the games, as well as general safety,” Dixon said.
Dixon says the policy is modeled after the same policy for Coastal Carolina University sporting events. Any bag larger than a clutch that isn’t see-through won’t be allowed in a game. That includes drawstring bags, camera bags, computer bags and backpacks.
Exceptions will be made for medical needs or diaper bags.
“We’re also going to try to have available bags at the gate or ask them to take their bags back to the cars,” said Dixon. “Then, we’ll be glad to allow admission.”
The school district says another goal of using clear, plastic bags, which you can find at many pro sporting events, is reducing the wait time for fans to get into games.
“We feel like it might be more efficient after we get through it, which could reduce our costs, because we may not as need as many (people) at particular football games to do the searches,” said Dixon.
Other school districts in the Upstate and Lowcountry also have clear bag policies. Horry County Schools will begin its policy during next week’s season openers.
The clear bag policy won’t be in effect for the Conway National Bank Kickoff Classic at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium on Friday in Myrtle Beach.
