Report: Mississippi State to Implement Clear Bag Policy This Season

Nov 28, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; The sun sets before the game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Mississippi Rebels at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi won 38-27. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; The sun sets before the game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Mississippi Rebels at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi won 38-27. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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7/16/16 7:00 PM Update

Mississippi State University Game Operations has confirmed this report via their Twitter account. The 2016 Football Season will be the first for the newly minted clear bag policy.

If you read a recent press release made by the University of Alabama Athletic Department, you would see that Mississippi State University will be joining other schools across the SEC in implementing the NFL standard clear bag policy for all events.

"Are other Universities / Venues limiting bags?Yes. The SEC is expected to mandate a conference wide clear-bag policy for the 2017 season. Across the SEC, Auburn, Florida, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, South Carolina and LSU will institute clear bag policies for the 2016 season. Nationally, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan State do not allow spectators to carry any bags into their stadiums."

Mississippi State Bulldogs
Mississippi State Bulldogs /

Mississippi State Bulldogs

Now if you were to look up the current bag policy on the Mississippi State Athletics website, there currently is not a bag policy in place for the 2016 season. However, if you go to the Fanguide for the 2015 Football season, you will find this printed.

"Bags and BackpacksFor the safety and enjoyment of all fans attending the game, large bags or backpacks over 14 in. x 14 in. x 10 in. are not permitted in the stadium. All persons, bags, and purses are subject to inspection. Individuals that refuse to have a bag inspected will not be allowed to enter the stadium."

So basically what that was saying that a bag a couple inches larger than a sheet of office paper could be brought into Davis Wade Stadium during a game. Now if the policies mirror those made by Alabama this season, here is what we will be moving into this season (Keep in mind that some information is solely meant for Alabama)

"Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12″ (Official Alabama Crimson Tide logo plastic tote bags will be available at SupeStore, Shop.RollTide.com, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Hibbett Sports and Wal-Mart by August 15, 2016).One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (Ziploc bags or similar).Small “clutch” purses, no larger than 4 1/2″ by 6 1/2″, with or without a handle or strap can be taken into the stadium in addition to the approved clear plastic bags.Spectators also will be able to carry other items allowed into the stadium such as binoculars, cameras, and smart phones, but their cases will not be allowed."

Now I removed from erroneous information from the press release, but that’s the basic clear bag policy that will be implemented across the SEC by the start of the 2017 athletic year. This is where it will be interesting to see when MSU announces a clear-bag policy at football. Needless to say, we should expect it very soon. Bulldog fans, start stocking up on clear bags over the offseason. You’re going to need them for you and all your friends come Saturday, September 3 at 9:00 AM when the gates open.