Two new rules will be in place this academic year for entry into Dragon Stadium and athletic events that are held in gyms at Nacogdoches High School.
Spectators will be required to pass through a weapons detection system in order to enter Dragon Stadium beginning in August. The detectors will also be set up during the school year at athletic events held in both NHS gymnasiums unless in use at the stadium.
NISD has also adopted a clear bag policy for all athletic events. Bags and items that cannot be clearly seen through will be prohibited in the stadium, at fields and in gymnasiums where NISD is hosting athletic events.
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To enter Dragon Stadium, fans must clear the detection system. A spectator unable to clear the weapons detection system may go back to their vehicle and deposit any items there and then return to the entry gate and attempt entry. At no time will anyone be allowed to leave items at the gate in order to clear the weapons detection system.
Spectators with medical reasons which prohibit them from clearing the weapons detection system are encouraged to bring along their medical cards (or documents) describing the issue. Staff at the gates will have hand-held wands to help to clear spectators without negatively impacting their condition. If no documentation is provided, staff can still use wands to clear the person but cannot avoid any specific areas.
The following items will set off the detectors and should not be brought into the stadium: Any item used as a common weapon such as guns and large knives, other large items similar to binders, laptops, umbrellas and eye glass cases. Cell phones, keys and small amounts of coins should pass through without a problem.
The first football game at Dragon Stadium will be a preseason scrimmage Friday, Aug. 21, against Jacksonville. The first varsity home football game will be the season opener Aug. 28 against Athens. The first home volleyball match is Aug. 11.
At football games held in Dragon Stadium, both entryways on the west side (home side) will be open for use by Dragon fans. On game nights, fans are encouraged to use the entrance with the shortest wait time. During varsity football games, the Nacogdoches High School student section will be seated in the bleachers in the south end zone (those nearest the field house). Reserved seating at Dragon Stadium will remain the same; bleachers on either side of the reserved section on the home side will be general admission seating.
After entering the football stadium, spectators will not be allowed to leave and re-enter the stadium without permission prior to departure from a district administrator on duty. Then, before re-entering the stadium, the spectator must again clear the weapons detection system. After the end of the third quarter of games, there will be no re-entry for any reason.