A total of eight professionals will be recognized for their leadership in addressing safety and security issues during the 2023 National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition on June 27-29 in San Antonio. The event is presented annually by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) at The University of Southern Mississippi.
The Professional of the Year Award recognizes a member of management in the field who has, over the past year, demonstrated outstanding leadership in addressing safety and security issues. In addition to the enhanced safety of their venue/event, the recipient’s contributions have set an example for others to follow. The award is sponsored by Prevent Advisors, a full-service security consulting company with extensive knowledge, expertise, and understanding of the operational aspects of sports and entertainment facilities and venues. They are the first and only company to receive SAFETY Act Designation for a Red Team Assessment Service.
Scott Dickson, Associate General Manager of The Schottenstein Center at The Ohio State University (OSU), will be recognized as a Champion of Change during the 2023 National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition in San Antonio on June 27-29. The event is presented annually by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) at The University of Southern Mississippi.
Dickson will receive the Champion of Change Award, which recognizes an individual who has demonstrated their ability and commitment to bring about positive change in the sports safety and security industry. Through progressive leadership, this individual’s achievements have made a difference in organizational effectiveness and led the organization forward into the future. The award is sponsored by 24/7 Software, which provides a DHS SAFETY Act designated operations management platform to enhance real-time communications, incident management, and more.
Scott Dickson, Associate General Manager of The Schottenstein Center at The Ohio State University (OSU), will be recognized as a Champion of Change during the 2023 National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition in San Antonio on June 27-29. The event is presented annually by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) at The University of Southern Mississippi.
Dickson will receive the Champion of Change Award, which recognizes an individual who has demonstrated their ability and commitment to bring about positive change in the sports safety and security industry. Through progressive leadership, this individual’s achievements have made a difference in organizational effectiveness and led the organization forward into the future. The award is sponsored by 24/7 Software, which provides a DHS SAFETY Act designated operations management platform to enhance real-time communications, incident management, and more.
Scott Dickson, Associate General Manager of The Schottenstein Center at The Ohio State University (OSU), will be recognized as a Champion of Change during the 2023 National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition in San Antonio on June 27-29. The event is presented annually by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) at The University of Southern Mississippi.
Dickson will receive the Champion of Change Award, which recognizes an individual who has demonstrated their ability and commitment to bring about positive change in the sports safety and security industry. Through progressive leadership, this individual’s achievements have made a difference in organizational effectiveness and led the organization forward into the future. The award is sponsored by 24/7 Software, which provides a DHS SAFETY Act designated operations management platform to enhance real-time communications, incident management, and more.
Jim Folk, Vice President of Ballpark Improvements for the Cleveland Guardians, will be presented with the Milton E. Ahlerich Distinguished Leadership Award during the 2023 National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition on June 27-29 in San Antonio. The event is presented annually by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) at The University of Southern Mississippi.
The Milton E. Ahlerich Distinguished Leadership Award recognizes a professional whose career includes multiple achievements and contributions to sport safety and security. The recipient’s service, commitment, ingenuity, and integrity must have elevated the profession to new levels to warrant this prestigious honor. The recipient is selected by a panel of subject matter experts on behalf of the NCS⁴ and awarded annually at the National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition.
Jim Folk, Vice President of Ballpark Improvements for the Cleveland Guardians, will be presented with the Milton E. Ahlerich Distinguished Leadership Award during the 2023 National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition on June 27-29 in San Antonio. The event is presented annually by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) at The University of Southern Mississippi.
The Milton E. Ahlerich Distinguished Leadership Award recognizes a professional whose career includes multiple achievements and contributions to sport safety and security. The recipient’s service, commitment, ingenuity, and integrity must have elevated the profession to new levels to warrant this prestigious honor. The recipient is selected by a panel of subject matter experts on behalf of the NCS⁴ and awarded annually at the National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition.
Jim Folk, Vice President of Ballpark Improvements for the Cleveland Guardians, will be presented with the Milton E. Ahlerich Distinguished Leadership Award during the 2023 National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition on June 27-29 in San Antonio. The event is presented annually by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) at The University of Southern Mississippi.
The Milton E. Ahlerich Distinguished Leadership Award recognizes a professional whose career includes multiple achievements and contributions to sport safety and security. The recipient’s service, commitment, ingenuity, and integrity must have elevated the profession to new levels to warrant this prestigious honor. The recipient is selected by a panel of subject matter experts on behalf of the NCS⁴ and awarded annually at the National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition.
Latest news: National Conference information (including keynote speakers, agenda, and Golden Eagle Award recipient), Center news, course pilots held, request for feedback on current training needs, eLearning options, Sports Security Watch, and more. Read more
The National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), along with SDM & Security Magazines have announced Rampart Mobile Medical Unit, CrowdRx as the 2023 Golden Eagle Award winner. The Golden Eagle Award recognizes excellence in system integration, architecture, engineering, and/or construction (A/E/C) specifically related to the safety and security of spectators, property, and facility infrastructure.
Applicants from leading systems integration, architecture, design, engineering, and consulting firms were invited to submit case studies from successful projects with safety and security front and center in planning and execution.
“In addition to addressing security gaps, solutions must prioritize fan experience and safety,” said Daniel Ward, MBA, CEM, NCS4 Director of Training and Exercise. “The Golden Eagle Award is an opportunity for our industry to recognize those technologies, services, and processes that meet security needs and effectively account for the unique operating environment created by sporting and entertainment events.”
The Golden Eagle Award winner was chosen by a team of subject matter experts (SMEs) who reviewed all case studies and scored each submission on the following criteria:
Solution relevance to the sport industry
Solution effectiveness in solving the identified problem(s)
Solution contribution to the balance of fan experience and safety/security
Solution utilization of creativity, innovation, and technology in a way that advances the industry
The NCS4, in partnership with SDM & Security Magazines, congratulates the 2023 Golden Eagle Award recipient, Rampart Mobile Medical Unit, CrowdRx. The recipient will present their winning case study and be recognized at the Awards Luncheon at the 14th Annual National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition on June 27-29 in San Antonio, TX.
For more information about the conference or to register, visit /conference/ and for more information about the awards, visit /about/awards-recognition/.
About the 14th Annual Conference:
The National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition will be held June 27-29 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio, TX. The conference will attract over 450 attendees and 70 exhibitors representing professional sports, intercollegiate athletics, interscholastic athletics, marathon and endurance events, sport and entertainment facilities, and those who provide safety and security products and services to the industry. You can visit the conference website for more information.
Millions of spectators attend sports/entertainment events across the globe every year. And with that massive audience comes the ever-present threat of violence or terrorist acts.
Since 2006, the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) has established training and protocols to mitigate potential risks associated with high-attendance venues. Housed at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) in Hattiesburg, Miss., NCS⁴ remains the nation’s only academic center devoted to the study and practice of spectator sports safety and security.
NCS⁴ Executive Director Dr. Stacey Hall says that while the Center has experienced considerable growth over the past 17 years, the focus has not shifted.
