About

The Institute for the Study of Sports Incidents (ISSI) is the research and analysis unit of the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at the University of Southern Mississippi. ISSI’s mission is to build the most comprehensive worldwide database of sport incidents involving spectators, while ensuring the appropriate protection, privacy, and security of incident information.

In addition to building a comprehensive sports database, ISSI is creating a uniform classification system to describe incidents that are happening around the world at a wide variety of sporting events. Under the classification system, both violent and non-violent incidents are classified. Non-violent incidents include Accidents, such as when a fan falls over the railings trying to catch a baseball, or Trespassing instances in which a spectator runs across the field. Violent incidents include Assaults, such as a fan getting into a fight with another fan, or Rioting that is not as prevalent in the United States, but a more common occurrence in countries where football (soccer) is very popular.

With the database and classification system, ISSI is examining the significance and impact of the incidents that are affecting the safety of spectators and the security of venues.

Ongoing Research

Violent Incidents (Red) & Accidents (Blue) in the United States between 2005 and 2011

 

 

Incident White Papers

* Egypt Soccer Riots, February 2012

 

For more information, please contact Alana.Penza @ usm.edu or call 601-266-6099

 

ISSI is proud to work in concert with the University of New Haven’s Institute for the Study of Violent Groups.

 This project Funded in Part by the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security