Thu,
10/28/2021 – 16:06pm | By: NCS4 Staff

A total of nine professionals will be recognized for their contributions to NCS⁴ during the 2021 National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition set for
Nov. 9-10 in Phoenix. This year’s theme is Reconnect. Reflect. Inspire. and boasts the most exhibitors and sponsors in conference history. The event is presented
annually by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) at The University of Southern Mississippi.

The Friends of NCS⁴ Award recognizes professionals whose contributions have been invaluable
to the advancement of the Center. The NCS⁴ staff and leadership nominate individuals who have been a resource to the Center’s
goals and activities during the past year.

“We are grateful to each of these recipients for the invaluable leadership and assistance
they provide,” said Lauren Cranford, MPH, CHES, NCS⁴ Director of Operations. “They have each gone above and beyond in helping us to further
the mission of NCS⁴.”

Individuals being recognized include:

• Scott Dickson, Associate General Manager, Jerome Schottenstein Center, The Ohio State University
• Steve Georgas, Deputy Chief (Retired), Chicago Police Department
• Billy Langenstein, CSSP, Director of Security Services, National Football League
• Michael Nishi, Chief Operating Officer, Chicago Event Management
• John Pepper, CSSP, Sergeant, Metropolitan Nashville Police Department
• Tim “Tuba” Smith, Director, Festivals and Strategic Events, C3 Presents
• Gary Stevens, Director of Student Activities, Thornton Academy
• Jesse Watkins, Director of Operations, TEEX/National Emergency Response and Recovery Training Center
• Amanda Wright, Owner, Wright Consulting

For more information about the conference, visit http://www.ncs4.usm.edu/conference/ and for more information about the awards, visit https://ncs4.usm.edu/about/ncs4-recognition-awards/.

About the 12^th Annual Conference:

The National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition will be held in Phoenix
at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa on Nov. 9-10. The conference will attract
over 450 attendees and 60 exhibitors representing professional sports, intercollegiate
athletics, interscholastic athletics, marathon and endurance events, sport and entertainment
facilities, and those who provide safety and security products and services to the
industry. For more information, visit http://www.ncs4.usm.edu/conference/.

About NCS⁴:

Established in 2006, the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security
(NCS⁴) is the nation’s only academic center devoted to the study and practice of sports
safety and security. The NCS⁴ is partially underwritten by grants from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The NCS⁴ mission focuses on three key pillars – Training and Education, Research, and Outreach. For more information about NCS⁴, call 601.266.6183 or visit ncs4.usm.edu.