We attended a University of Colorado football game at Denver's Invesco Field on Saturday, 20 August 2003. For this highly contentious game between intrastate rivals Colorado State and the University of Colorado, Invesco Field provided a neutral site and the capacity to accommodate large crowds. The official stadium attendance for that night was 76,219 people. During the third quarter, lightning lit up the southern sky as heavy rains blanketed the stadium. A public address announcement stated that thegame was suspended due to lightning, and all players, coaches, and stadium personnel on the field immediately ran for cover. During the 30-45-minute delay, stadium management did not provide any instructions to spectators. Many crowded the exit ramps and concourses to escape the downpour, while others remained in their seats during the storm. The game eventually resumed with no reported injuries to players or spectators resulting from the storm. Yet, we wondered why the event managers gave no direction to protect the 76,219 spectators from the dangers of lightning.
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