Penn State is banning bags from home athletic events this fall.
Penn State announced Friday it is prohibiting backpacks, bags and purses from athletic facilities including Beaver Stadium, the Bryce Jordan Center and Rec Hall. Each fan will be permitted a single clear gallon-size plastic bag for medical and child-care items, officials said.
Items abandoned at entry gates will be tossed.
The new policy will add "an important additional layer of security for all the spectators and participants,'' said Steve Shelow, assistant vice president for police and public safety at Penn State. "This policy brings Penn State in line with other peer institutions across the nation.'"
Michigan and Michigan State are other Big Ten Conference schools that prohibit bags from home games, Penn State said.
Penn State's no-bag rule was first enforced at the Blue-White game in April.
The decision comes one day after the NFL announced they were tightening stadium security starting this preseason, limiting the size and type of bags fans can bring to the game.
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With the exception of medically necessary items, only clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches will be allowed. One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags also will be OK, as will small clear plastic bags approximately the size of someone's hand, with or without a handle or strap.
One of those clear bags and a small clutch bag will be allowed per person.
Binoculars, cameras, and smartphones also will be permitted.
Banned items will include purses larger than a clutch bag; coolers; briefcases; backpacks; fanny packs; cinch bags; seat cushions; luggage; computer bags; and camera bags or any bag larger than the permissible size.
The league is encouraging fans not to bring any bags to games.
An NFL committee on stadium security recommended these measures in May and the owners have approved them.
