Big 10 Stadium Security
Surrounding every game day, the University of Illinois leverages SkySafe to detect unauthorized drones, prevent game disruptions, and keep its campus safe.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign spans 8 square miles and is home to over 55,000 students and nearly 15,000 staff. With a Big 10 football stadium seating over 85,000 and a commercial airport on campus, the university is a vibrant hub of activity. From football games and concerts to special events and daily operations, the University’s Police Department, led by Captain Joe McCullough, is dedicated to maintaining campus safety and security.
The Challenge
With nearly 500 drone flights occurring on and around campus each month, the University of Illinois’ Police Department had growing concerns about unauthorized drone activity. The combination of a dense student population, high-profile events like Big 10 football games, and critical infrastructure such as the campus airport make the campus an attractive target for drone incursions, posing serious risks to safety, security, and operations.
In one alarming incident, during a football game that coincided with a third-party security audit, a drone breached restricted airspace during the third quarter. The drone hovered dangerously close—within 10 feet—of a SWAT officer stationed in an overwatch position, capturing images of critical security tactics. This exposed a major vulnerability: drones could not only endanger spectators and staff but also compromise operational security with unauthorized surveillance.
The university relied on manual drone monitoring methods, including visual line-of-sight and officer dispatch, which were labor-intensive and often ineffective. During this incident, 14 officers were deployed to locate the operator, ultimately without success. Recognizing the urgent need for better drone security, Captain Joe McCullough and the University’s Police Department sought a real-time drone detection solution.
"Before SkySafe, we relied solely on line of sight. We would try to track where a drone landed and send officers to find the pilot, but I can count on one hand the times we succeeded. It was all down to luck—identifying offending operators by line of sight is nearly impossible."
The Solution: SkySafe
The University of Illinois selected SkySafe for its advanced cloud-based drone detection software and forensic capabilities, ease of use, and quick deployment. In comparison to the other systems the university evaluated, SkySafe also supported a wider range of drone makes and models, making it a more reliable solution. Fully installed and operational within 24 hours—just in time for the first football game of the season—SkySafe now enables the university to identify, track, and analyze drones that pose potential security threats.
SkySafe’s capabilities were tested during an incident at a football game when a drone breached restricted airspace.
SkySafe’s capabilities were tested during an incident at a football.
Case in Action: The Kansas Game
SkySafe’s capabilities were tested during an incident at a football game when a drone breached restricted airspace, hovering over the 50-yard line. Using SkySafe, university police tracked the operator on a fourth-floor balcony a half-mile away within minutes.
The operator, a 34-year-old man, was arrested and charged with reckless conduct under Illinois law. Forensic evidence from SkySafe—including detailed flight records and geolocation data—irrefutably proved the drone had entered the stadium’s no-fly zone and confirmed the arrested individual was responsible for piloting the drone.
The case was forwarded to the FAA and state attorney’s office. This landmark case demonstrated SkySafe’s ability to provide legal evidence for prosecutions and set a powerful precedent for enforcing drone safety laws on campus.
The Results
Before SkySafe, the University of Illinois relied on resource-intensive methods, deploying up to 15 officers for drone-related incidents with minimal success. SkySafe reduced this to just 1-2 officers per response, freeing up personnel for other critical tasks like crowd management and medical emergencies.
By providing full airspace awareness, SkySafe enabled the university to transition from reactive drone incident management to a proactive security strategy. The system’s success, according to Captain McCullough, also acts as a deterrent, sending a clear message that unauthorized drone activity will be identified, pursued, and subject to prosecution.
100% Success Rate | Optimized security resources | Proactive event security |
Achieved near-perfect accuracy in identifying drones and their operators, often within minutes. | Reduced officer deployment for drone responses, freeing police resources. | Enhanced safety at all major campus events, including sporting events, concerts, and graduations. |
Before SkySafe, the University of Illinois relied on resource-intensive methods, deploying up to 15 officers for drone-related incidents with minimal success.
Before SkySafe, the University of Illinois relied on resource-intensive
Key Takeaways
Problem | Solution | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
Large, densely populated campus | SkySafe deployed within 24 hours | 100% success in locating drones and pilots |
Nearly 500 drone flights on campus per month | Real-time and historical flight data | Arrested reckless drone operator |
Inefficient, manual line-of-sight monitoring | Complete coverage across 8-mile campus | Freed up police resources |
Stadium sniper positions captured by drone | Detailed forensic evidence to support prosecutions | Full situational awareness of campus airspace |
