Greencoat security is a special events security program through the MSU police, made up of about 152 workers who work at about 1,300 campus events per year including football games, MSU police Officer Britten Riggs said.

Although many Spartan fans spend their game day tailgating and cheering on the team from the stands, members of Greencoat security — who range from students to faculty to East Lansing residents — work at Spartan Stadium checking in fans, working security and serving as first responders for medical emergencies.

Riggs said Greencoat members participate in a 16-hour training session when they get involved with the program where they learn about security protocol and become CPR certified.

Many of the participants are criminal justice majors or students interested in police work.

Both McKay and his close friend, criminal justice senior Zach Cross, a Greencoat security supervisor, said working with the program will help them with their career goals.

Cross said in the criminal justice field, employers are looking for people with real-life experience.
“I’ve been able to have firsthand experience on physical security for buildings, as well as personal security for very important persons, whether it’s a television sportscaster or the governor of Michigan, who came to one of our games,” Cross said. “It is nice to have an experience where you can actually apply what you’re reading about.”

McKay said as a Greencoat security member, he is the first responder if someone passes out from drinking or a diabetic has low blood sugar in the stadium. He said the experience will help him with his career in the medical field someday.

“It’s kind of a nontraditional route a pre-health major could take, working with police,” McKay said.