Sept. 3, 2009

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - In a coordinated effort to promote civility and a secure environment for all participants, the Mountain West Conference has announced a league-wide initiative to enhance fans' game-day experience at member institutions' football games.

Beginning this week, each MWC institution will be implementing a two-way, text messaging-based communication system between ticket holders and event staff in their football stadiums. The intent is to allow for improved management of safety, security and guest services operations. The Mountain West successfully experimented with a text-messaging system at the 2009 Conoco MWC Basketball Championships, and plans to continue the initiative at future basketball championships. At its June meeting, the MWC Board of Directors established a plan to implement text-messaging systems on a conference-wide basis at all football venues. This plan will also include men's basketball games this season. Other sports may be included at institutional discretion.

Each institution selected the text-messaging system that best fit its own needs. Fans will have the opportunity to send questions, concerns or requests via their mobile phones to a central location. Reply messages can then be sent directly to the fan's phone to provide answers or obtain more information. If necessary, the appropriate personnel can quickly be dispatched to handle safety/security, medical or guest services concerns. Information on how to utilize the system will be communicated to fans via flyers, video message boards, in-facility signage, public address announcements and other means.

"Sportsmanship has been a cornerstone of the Mountain West Conference since its inception," said MWC Commissioner Craig Thompson. "More recently, the MWC Board of Directors has focused on ensuring an environment that fosters appropriate behavior from all Conference constituencies and allows everyone to enjoy the spirit of competition that is synonymous with Mountain West athletics. This text-messaging initiative is another important step towards providing a fan-friendly atmosphere in each of our stadiums."