NCS4 Hosts Successful National Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security Forum at Duke University

  • Feb 10, 2025

The National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) hosted the National Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security Forum at Duke University Jan. 28-29. More than 150 safety and security professionals from across the country representing all areas of Intercollegiate Athletics attended the sold-out Forum.

The highly anticipated event brought together collegiate athletics, security, emergency management, and emergency medical leaders to address pressing challenges and share innovative solutions for ensuring safe environments in intercollegiate sports.

“The NCS4 works closely with the Intercollegiate Athletics Advisory Committee to drive meaningful content that is important and relevant to intercollegiate athletics programs. We were excited to bring leaders in from universities nationwide for a sold-out event,” said Lauren Cranford, NCS4 director of operations. “The forum also helps us collect pertinent information to update the NCS4 Best Practices that are available as a free resource to industry practitioners.”

The Forum featured dynamic keynote speakers, expert panel discussions and moderated discussions to review the NCS4 Best Practices for Intercollegiate Athletics. Topics included:

  • Extreme Weather Preparedness
  • Crowd Management and Control
  • Communications
  • Event Staff Management
  • Perimeter Security and Access Control
  • Incident Reporting and Documentation

General sessions covered effective procedures for medical emergencies, addressing unique security challenges of collegiate venues, building teams for operational success, evolving as a leader, and campus security and First Amendment rights in balancing protests.

"Attending the NCS4 Intercollegiate Forum is more than just an event—it's an opportunity to connect, learn and lead in the evolving world of sports safety and security,” said Joe Monroe, CSSP, University of Kentucky chief of police and NCS4 National Advisory Board member. “From networking with industry experts and colleagues to gaining cutting-edge insights, the benefits extend far beyond the forum, equipping attendees with the knowledge and connections needed to shape the future of intercollegiate sports security."

The Forum would not be possible without the center’s Solution Partners. Special thanks were given to Presenting Partners: Assa Abloy and BEST Crowd Management Inc.; Reception Partners: CSA360 Software and Guidepost Solutions; and Signature Partners: Accredit Solutions, AeroDefense, AirSight Inc., CEIA USA, Concentric Security, SafeZone by CriticalArc, Flying Aces Enterprises and Consulting LLC, Hanwha Vision, MCA, Meridian Rapid Defense Group, North American Rescue, Rave Mobile Safety – a Motorola Solutions company, SkySafe and Veoci.

The National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition will be held June 30 – July 2, 2025, at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort in San Antonio, TX. The conference will attract over 500 attendees and 70 exhibitors representing professional sports, intercollegiate athletics, interscholastic athletics, marathon and endurance events, sports and entertainment facilities, and those who provide safety and security products and services to the industry.

Featured

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.