Admins report 'no significant backups' from using metal detectors at Cameron Indoor Stadium

Entering Cameron Indoor Stadium last Saturday was a little bit different than usual, as fans were required to go through metal detectors.

The detectors, purchased in late December, were used for the first time at Saturday’s game against North Carolina State. Kyle Cavanaugh, vice president of administration and Duke’s emergency coordinator, said the processing went smoothly.

“There were no significant backups even when people showed up literally right before tip,” Cavanaugh said.

Although Duke’s new security practices added an extra step for students entering Cameron Indoor Stadium, Wendy Burr, a senior and head line monitor, said the metal detectors have not made much of a difference with their operations.  

“They definitely look a little intimidating when you first get to Cameron, but it's really quick to get through them, and the staff are really easy to work with,” Burr said. “Overall, they haven't affected the normal pace at which we get the students into the games or any other operations for undergraduates.”

Becca Wilusz, a game operations assistant in the athletics department, said the communications team helped to get the word out about the new security protocol.

“All of the students and the fan base were very well prepared,” Wilusz said. “It seemed like everyone knew what was happening.”

Cavanaugh attributed the new program’s success to the diligent training that staff went through during the month of January. 

Prior to using the metal detectors on Saturday, Cavanaugh said he and members of the Duke Athletics staff consulted with professional operators of sporting events, including the director of global security for the NBA, as well as other college venues.

“We’re very fortunate that we have access to a lot of professional security individuals—not only people who work for the NBA, but also for most pro-sports leagues,” Cavanaugh said. “We have been in touch with virtually all of them to understand protocols, best practices. They’ve been enormously helpful in outlining our processes and procedures.”

Cavanaugh said the team is considering making a few small tweaks for future games.

“We quite frankly might have overstaffed for the first event because we wanted to make sure there were no significant backups,” he noted.