The Center for CSSSM has emerged a leader in the quest to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from incidents at sporting
venues. The following grants highlight the funding history of the Center and projects completed and/or in progress:
1. National Pilot; Develop and Design Web-Based training for Sport Venue Security Staff/MS Office of Homeland Security = $260,000 (FY 2008)
2. Competitive Training Grants Program / Department of Homeland Security / Partner with NACDA = $3,482,591 (FY 2007)
* Design, develop, and deliver a National Risk Management Certification for Sports Events to 5,370 key personnel responsible for security management of intercollegiate athletic events.
3. Mississippi Office of Homeland Security Grant Award = $285,000 (FY07)
* National Certification Pilot project to award safety and security seal of approval to Mississippi university sport stadiums.
4. Department of Homeland Security/Oak Ridge Laboratories and Southeast Regional Research Initiative Grant Award = $975,000 (FY06, 07)
* To develop a simulation system to evaluate and support emergency response, stadium evacuation operations, and the subsequent traffic flow at high
consequence sports events. This training tool will be transitioned to field-based professionals responsible for security at Mississippi state-supported
institutions. This applied research project will assist game-day security staff training, evacuation planning and traffic flow coordination.
5. Mississippi Office of Homeland Security and Mississippi Emergency Management Grant Award = $568,000 (FY05, 06)
* To conduct risk assessments, including threat/vulnerability assessments, at each of the seven public university
stadiums in Mississippi (Alcorn State University, Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi
State University, Mississippi Valley State University, The University of Mississippi, and The University of
Southern Mississippi) in order to identify security weaknesses and harden their sport facilities. Best practices
were identified and shared with all parties to enhance security efforts.
Common industry gaps were highlighted and consequence reduction proposals were provided to each institution. As a result of this grant, a virtual
stadium training tool was developed through collaboration with the USM School of Construction to assist game-day
security staff training, and evacuation planning.
6. U.S. Department of Justice Funding = $394,657 (FY05)
* To develop an institutional physical protection system for collegiate football stadiums.
7. The University of Southern Mississippi Internal Funding = $18,000 (FY05)
* To conduct a feasibility study of security initiatives for Division I-A college football stadiums.
