Research Grants
The National Center for Spectator Sports Safety & Security (NCS4) has emerged a leader in the quest to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from incidents at sporting venues. The following grants highlight the funding history of the Center and projects completed and/or in progress:
1. Development of Professional Competencies for Sport Security Director-MS Office of Homeland Security=$85,000 (FY 2009)
- This grant is designed to develop the essential competencies necessary for sport security director’s position.
2. Development of Sport Security Supervisor Curriculum –MS Office of Homeland Security=$75,000 (FY 2009)
- This grant is designed to develop a training curriculum for sport security supervisors.
3. Enhancing the Effectiveness of Local and Regional Communities in Planning and Training for Improvised Explosive Device Threats and Attacks on Sport Venues - Department of Homeland Security/Southeast Regional Research Institute/Oak Ridge National Laboratory/U.S. Army Corp of Engineers = $750,000 (FY 2008)
- This project aims to address the needs for the development of affordable and advanced technological tools and methodologies to assist local and regional planners to prepare and respond for improvised explosive device (IED) threats and attacks, especially on sport venues.
4. Development of a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan for the University of Southern Mississipp - U.S. Department of Education=$477,086 (FY 2008)
- The University of Southern Mississippi will review, improve, and fully integrate its campus-based emergency plans into a seamless, all-hazard emergency management plan.
5. National Pilot; Develop and Design Web-Based training for Sport Venue Security Staff - MS Office of Homeland Security = $260,000 (FY 2008)
- The National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security has developed new web-based training courses to enhance safety and security efforts by building security staff awareness, improving sport security standards, and enhancing the capabilities of planning, emergency response, and evacuations.
- The program's content is grounded in cutting-edge sport security research and the practical experiences and knowledge of subject matter experts in sports security. The program also satisfies the center's goal of closing a security gap by providing educational training programs related to sport event security.
- The Sport Venue Safety and Security Staff Training program is designed to be basic and flexible in its use. The training prepares: ushers, ticket takers, gate security and parking attendants
6. Competitive Training Grants Program - Department of Homeland Security/Partner with NACDA = $3,482,591 (FY 2007)
- Design, develop, and deliver a National Risk Management Certification for Sports Events to 5,370 key personnel responsible for security management of intercollegiate athletic events.
7. Mississippi Office of Homeland Security Grant Award = $285,000 (FY2007)
- National Certification Pilot project to award safety and security seal of approval to Mississippi university sport stadiums.
8. Department of Homeland Security/Oak Ridge Laboratories and Southeast Regional Research Initiative Grant Award = $975,000 (FY2006, 07)
- To develop a simulation system to evaluate and support emergency response, stadium evacuation operations, and the subsequent traffic flow at high consequence sports events. This training tool will be transitioned to field-based professionals responsible for security at Mississippi state-supported institutions. This applied research project will assist game-day security staff training, evacuation planning and traffic flow coordination.
9. Mississippi Office of Homeland Security and Mississippi Emergency Management Grant Award = $568,000 (FY2005, 06)
- To conduct risk assessments, including threat/vulnerability assessments, at each of the seven public university stadiums in Mississippi (Alcorn State University, Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, Mississippi Valley State University, The University of Mississippi, and The University of Southern Mississippi) in order to identify security weaknesses and harden their sport facilities. Best practices were identified and shared with all parties to enhance security efforts.
- Common industry gaps were highlighted and consequence reduction proposals were provided to each institution. As a result of this grant, a virtual stadium training tool was developed through collaboration with the USM School of Construction to assist game-day security staff training, and evacuation planning.
10. U.S. Department of Justice Funding = $394,657 (FY2005)
- To develop an institutional physical protection system for collegiate football stadiums.
11. The University of Southern Mississippi Internal Funding = $18,000 (FY2005)
- To conduct a feasibility study of security initiatives for Division I-A college football stadiums.
