Iowa Football: Fans can text-alert about jerks
by ANDREW LOGUE
October 1, 2009
Iowa City, Ia. — Is the person sitting next to you at Kinnick Stadium getting a little obnoxious?
Maybe you've spotted someone who needs medical attention, or a child who looks lost.
The solution is at your finger tips: Just punch 97178, then type the word ALERT, before sending a text message (including your seat location) that will be received by the University of Iowa staff.
"It's very simple," said Paula Jantz, associate athletic director for event management.
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Hawkeye officials implemented a new text messaging system before the season, in order to give fans quick and discrete access to ushers as well as security and medical personnel.
Jantz's staff received a total of nine messages during the first two home games, and they expect others to benefit from the system when No. 13 Iowa (4-0) hosts Arkansas State (1-2) on Saturday.
"We've been really pleased with it," Jantz said. "It's serving us well, so far."
The texting program is part of a larger communications agreement with Learfield Sports and FanDriveMedia.
Both companies have played a role in making stadium texting a nationwide trend.
"Pretty much, you can say we have clients from coast to coast," said Jonathan Vick, vice-president of FanDriveMedia, "and in every major region of the country."
The client list includes Iowa State, which also established a texting system this season and received a dozen messages through the first three home games.
Nick Britton, the Cyclones' assistant athletic director for operations, said the first message was from someone who found a lost cell phone.
"It works well," Britton said. "The ones we get are legit customer service things."
Last month, the Mountain West Conference announced an initiative for all league members to implement two-way texting between ticket holders and event staff.
Larry Duffin, special events director for Brigham Young University, says their system received 65 messages during a Sept. 19 home opener against Florida State.
"Obviously, with the proliferation of cell phones and the ability of people to text from their phone, they no longer need to get up out of their seat," Duffin said. "It's not only unruly fans, but guest service ways we can help them enjoy the game better."
Of the 65 texts, Duffin says 33 were dealing with a separate, unrelated situation - including a lost child.
He credits the high volume of texts to the fact BYU promotes the service with a 30-foot long sign that can be seen throughout the stadium.
"You can be anywhere," Duffin said, "and just look up and see the number."
Fans at Kinnick are encouraged to send a short message, telling staffers their seating area and the type of incident they are reporting.
The message then appears on a computer screen located inside the press box. Staffers will then relay the message to the appropriate personnel.
"If something comes in, the staff person has direct contact with EMT personnel and university police and ushers," Jantz said. "If it's a ticket issues, we'd send it right to our ushers and our security folks. If it's an unruly fan or real serious problem, we'd send it right to the university police."
Jantz said the texting system came with a one-time cost of $4,000.
John Midey of Davenport has mixed views of the new technology.
He's sat in the front row for 15 years, and rarely notices a problem.
"I've never felt anywhere near that isolated," Midey said. "There's so many security people around, vendors and whatever. I guess it makes sense, but I don't think it's a real need."
Midey, age 57, also thinks it may become a more useful tool for younger fans.
"I don't text anybody," he said. "But my kids are in their 20s and on down. They're doing it constantly. Everybody in college is probably doing it constantly."
2009-10-01
