September 11, 2001 was a terrible day. I, along with most other people, was very shaken. Everybody talks about the big things that happened as a result of 9/11; rescue efforts in New York, changes in the way we are screened before boarding an airplane, war in Afghanistan just to name a few.
There was another change that occured as a result of the attacks. A minor change that is hugely insignificant in the grand scheme of things. After 9/11, the University of Iowa banned leaving the stadium and returning during the game.
Prior to then, at halftime we would rush out to the tailgate area, eat some brats and watch some other games on TV. It was a nice way to pass the time, strecth our legs and avoid watching the halftime show. We’d taunt the opposing fans if we were winning and try to comeback from their taunts when we were loosing which still happened at home back then.
The ban still has not been lifted and probably never will be for a few reasons.
1) Safety - With the increased security after 9/11, the University would have to pay to keep the tight security for the second half instead of the skeleton crew they used to keep around.
2) Money - If people aren’t going to the tailgate parties to get food and drinks at halftime, they are going to buy it in the stadium. During the first couple games after 9/11, the drinks and a lot of the food sold out shortly after halftime.
3) Drinking - The NCAA is getting stricter about trying to keep alcohol away from the stadiums. College kids and adults getting a little free time in a college town do a lot of drinking. The NCAA has been able to ban alcohol sales inside the stadiums, but cannot enforce the policy outside. By trapping everybody inside the stadium, you have nearly 5 hours of no drinking by most of the fans. People will start drinking again once they leave the stadium, but it gives most people a chance to get out of town safely before the drunk drivers hit the road.
The terrorists created a uncomfortable situation that colleges tried to handle by not letting people leave the stadium. 5 years later, the ban still stands because of the money schools can make and the ability to control drinking inside the stadium. It is sad to see such an important tradition taken away especially when all that is left to replace it is a marching band’ rousing renditions The Beatles’ “Lonely Hearts Club Band.”