FORT MYERS, Fla. – In an effort to ensure the safety and well-being of fans at home basketball events at Alico Arena, the FGCU Department of Athletics will introduce a new Clear Bag Policy beginning Jan. 2, 2020. The new policy aligns the department with the best practices of game day safety and security which have been implemented by other schools in Florida, the ASUN and nationally.
 
The department has provided free clear bags to all season ticket holders and Eagles Club members. Those who have not picked up their complimentary bag can do so at the Alico Arena Box Office during normal business hours. One complimentary bag will be provided to each season ticket holder account. Eagle Club Members will receive on bag per seat purchased.
 
Signage and reminders went into effect during the non-conference portion of the basketball seasons. The non-conference slate for both programs was used as an educational period to prepare fans for the policy going into effect at the start of the New Year.
 
"The safety and well-being of our fans is of the utmost importance to us and that is why we are implementing this new policy," said Director of Athletics Ken Kavanagh. "Nationally at all levels, this has become a standard safety policy and, as we reviewed our standard protocols, we felt compelled to proactively implement a Clear Bag Policy to help ensure the well-being of our fans."
 
The approved size for clear bags will be a maximum of 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a one-gallon clear plastic, zip top freezer bag. Clear bags may be subject to search, but it is anticipated that times will be minimal.
 
Bags that are necessary for medical equipment will be searched and marked at each entry point. Non-transparent clutch purses that are no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches will be allowed. No other bags, backpacks, or purses will be permitted and the limit of allowable bags is one per person. One diaper bag per family will be allowed, but is subject to search.
 
Any non-approved bag must be returned to the owners car or campus dormitory. There will be no storage options at Alico Arena for fan use.
 
An example sheet of allowable and non-allowable bags is below and will be displayed throughout Alico Arena.

BASKETBALL TICKET INFORMATION
FGCU basketball tickets for the 2019-20 season are on sale now including single-game tickets and the popular mini-plan options. For more information, contact an FGCU Ticket Office representative by calling 239-590-7145, visiting Alico Arena Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or by visiting www.FGCUAthletics.com/Tickets. 
 
#FEEDFGCU
FGCU Athletics sponsors events in November and April to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.
 
ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 80 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 13 seasons at the Division I level. Additionally, in just nine seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had a combined 36 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Seven FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport – including both men's soccer (2018, 2019) and women's soccer (2018) as two of the most recent. In 2016-17, the Green and Blue posted a department-best sixth-place finish in the DI-AAA Learfield Directors' Cup and top-100 showing nationally, ahead of several Power-5 and FBS institutions. In 2018-19, the Eagles had an ASUN and state of Florida best seven teams earn the NCAA's Public Recognition Award for their Academic Progress Rate in their sport. FGCU also collectively earned a record 3.35 GPA in the classroom in the spring 2018 semester and has outperformed the general University undergraduate population for twenty consecutive semesters.  The Eagles also served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours in 2017 – being recognized as one of two runners-up for the inaugural NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.