A package containing electrical wires was discovered today during the Southern Conference basketball tournament at McKenzie Arena and resulted in roughly 250 Davidson and UNC-Greensboro fans having to temporarily evacuate their lower-level seats.
The package was found in section 316 in the upper level and was checked out by the Chattanooga Police Department, who called in its bomb squad. The evacuation occurred during the final minutes of first-half action, and the displaced fans were given clearance to return to their seats just before the start of the second half.
Mike Royster, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga assistant athletic director who oversees facilities and equipment, said normal procedure was followed.
"We would have evacuated the whole building if that's what the bomb squad or police had told us to do," Royster said. "Nobody knew for sure who the package belonged to or what it was or how it got there, and it's always better to be safe than sorry."
The package contained overhead lighting equipment, but it was not immediately known if it was part of the Southern Conference setup or a remnant of the last weekend's Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam Thunder Nationals truck show.
Southern Conference associate commissioner Geoff Cabe said the league always is willing to turn such matters over to the experts and was appreciative of the cooperating fans.
"For the most part, people understand these situations and that it's kind of the time we live in, too," Cabe said. "We have to take precautions, and people understand that. It's a device that won't do any harm to anybody, and everybody's safe. That's the most important thing."