With West Virginia Universitys annualBackyard Brawlwith Pitt just days away, University officials say they have listened to students, fans, alumni and law enforcement suggestions and will take additional actions to help ensure fan and player safety and encourage appropriate sportsmanship and behavior.

As in the past, fans are encouraged to stay in the stands following the game and celebrate potential victories responsibly, singingCountry Roadswith the team and other band favorites, officials said.

As an added security measure, however, WVU athletic officials are arranging for special hinges to be added to each goal post allowing it to be quickly lowered to the ground at the conclusion of every gamewin or lose.

The existing posts are being retrofitted with a hinge into the base, according to athletic officials. Plans for these goal posts were developed at the University of Iowa and are being used at Virginia Tech and Missouri.

We hope that by taking down the goal posts quickly, this will eliminate the desire to run onto the field after the game,said WVU s Chief of Police Bob Roberts.

WVUs Alumni Association has stepped forward to bear the cost of the goal post alterations.

“It’s an enormous injustice to our team and our University when goal posts become the story instead of great wins,”said Steve Douglas, chief executive officer of the WVU Alumni Association.”The WVU Alumni Association and its members have stepped up to ensure that the posts can be taken down quickly and safely, eliminating any temptation by fans to tear them down and become injured. We are asking all fans to stay in the stands after games and let the players and coaches rightfully enjoy our praise as we applaud them. That’s the WVU we want to showcase to the nation.”

To ensure fan and player safety and enjoyment, Roberts said all those attending the game should be aware of the following measures:

• Fans must stay in the stands after the game and celebrate responsibly. Only authorized personnel will be permitted on the field. Those who enter the field illegally are trespassing; further, assaulting an officer is a felony.

• Hinges for the goal posts will be installed prior to Saturdays game. Each goal post will be lowered to the ground immediately following the conclusion of the gamewin or lose.

• Greater emphasis will be placed on identifying underage drinkers and denying admittance to individuals possessing alcoholic beverages or those who appear intoxicated. Underage drinkers may be cited, fined and denied admittance to the game or removed from the stadium.

• There will be nopass outsthe ability to leave the stadium and re-enterissued for this game.

• No visible alcohol or kegs are permitted in University parking lots; the policy will be strictly enforced.

• Alcoholic beverages and any hard containers (glass bottles/metal cans) are prohibited in the stadium. Anyone found in possession of these items is subject to removal from the stadium.

• Fans are encouraged to arrive at the stadium early to avoid delays due to a sellout game and increased security at the gates.

• The student tailgate area, known as the Pit, will close 30 minutes before kickoff.

Regarding the decision last week by the network to move the game from noon to 7 p.m., Athletic Director Ed Pastilong said,”It is an honor and a privilege for our Mountaineer football team to be showcased on national television. They have worked hard to earn this prestigious opportunity. With that said, however, we did discuss with ESPN and the conference options for different start times for the game, but in the end, the network invoked its contractual right to televise the game in prime time.”

Pastilong said fans should know that WVU s nationally televised games with Virginia Tech and Miami had extremely high television ratings, and that was a big factor in ESPN s decision.

Vice President for Student Affairs Ken Gray said the University is pledging todo betterto instill a sense of sportsmanship and pride at the games and, in return, expects the same commitment from its fans.

I have faith that our fans will act responsibly,he said,and that the post game antics of a few will not overshadow a wonderful football game.