North Carolina State University Athletics
Hero from Terrorist Attack to Handle Coin Toss Duties
9/24/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 24, 2001
NC State alumnus John Cerqueira will handle the coin toss duties at this weekend's NC State vs. UNC football game. An employee at Network Plus, a telecommunications company formerly housed on the 81st floor of the north tower of the World Trade Center, Cerqueira went upstairs following the September 11 terrorist attack to help anyone who need assistance. Cerqueira and a co-worker carried a woman in a wheelchair down 68 flights of stairs to safety, clearing the building just five minutes before its collapse.
Cerqueira will be featured on ABC's Good Morning America on Tuesday morning and is scheduled to appear on Oprah on Wednesday.
NC State Announces Heightened Security Measures for Home Football Games
The NC State athletics department is working in conjunction with the NC State Public Safety Office, the Raleigh Police Department and the FBI to evaluate and implement appropriate security measures for upcoming football games at Carter-Finley Stadium.
"Our main concern is the safety of our fans, our staff and our students," said Director of Athletics Lee Fowler. "We had already increased security this season, but we will take added precautions to ensure that Carter-Finley Stadium is a safe facility. We encourage our fans to be patient and to realize that although it may take more time to get into the stadium, the color and pageantry of the game will be just as exciting as ever."
Parking gates for next week's noon contest with North Carolina and the remainder of NC State's home games will open three hours prior to kickoff. Stadium entrance gates will open 1-1/2 hours prior to kickoff.
Shannon Yates, NC State's Assistant Athletics Director for Game Operations/Varsity Sports Administration and Tom Younce, NC State's Director of Public Safety will work also with the Raleigh Police Department, Wake County Sherriff's Office and stadium security personnel to increase coverage of the stadium and surrounding parking areas. Yates and Younce will also work to implement other heightened security measures which will include:
* No large purses, bags, coolers, strollers, backpacks or any other object deemed hazardous by stadium management personnel will be allowed into the facility. All smaller bags are also subject to inspection prior to entrance as will seat cushions.
* Pass outs will be limited to Gates 2/3 on the west side and 8/9 on the east side of the stadium. Re-admittance will be allowed only with a ticket and pass-out stub. Those who exit the stadium will be inspected upon return
* The NC State Public Safety office has requested local airports and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to prohibit planes with banner advertisements from flying over Carter-Finley Stadium on game days.
* NC State Public Safety and the stadium staff will continue to conduct sweeps of the stadium prior to gates opening. In addition, the Raleigh Police Department will conduct a K-9 bomb sweep prior to the game.
* Stadium video coverage will be increased by the NC State Public Safety Office.
* Fans are asked to bring a photo identification to the game.
