New credentialing process establishes consistent expectations for photography access at Frost Field at Memorial Stadium
Victoria ISD is implementing a new Memorial Stadium Sideline Pass process for photographers seeking access to the sidelines and other restricted areas during varsity football games at Frost Field at Memorial Stadium.
Photography plays an important role in celebrating student-athletes, documenting school traditions and sharing the accomplishments of VISD students with families and the community. The new credentialing process is designed to continue providing photographers with opportunities to capture those moments while helping VISD Athletics maintain safe, organized sidelines for student-athletes, coaches, officials, game personnel and credentialed media.
Families and spectators may continue to take photographs from spectator seating for personal use without a sideline pass. A VISD-issued credential will be required for professional, freelance, commercial, community and other photographers requesting access to restricted areas.
Credentialed members of established news media organizations covering an event on assignment will not be required to purchase a sideline pass. VISD Communications and Athletics employees, students participating in approved school journalism or yearbook programs are also exempt from the pass requirement.
Single-Game Sideline Pass
A limited number of single-game sideline passes will be available for VISD-hosted regular-season varsity football games at Memorial Stadium involving Victoria East and/or Victoria West. The fee for an approved independent or commercial photographer is $50 per game.
Photographers must apply for a new pass for each game. Approval for one game does not guarantee access to future games.
The application process will follow a weekly schedule:
Monday: Memorial Stadium Sideline Pass Application opens.
Tuesday at 4 p.m.: Application closes.
Wednesday: Applicants are notified whether their request has been approved or denied.
Thursday at 4 p.m.: Payment is due to the VISD Athletic Director's Office for approved applicants.
Game Day before 4 p.m.: Approved photographers must complete Raptor check-in at the VISD Administration Building.
Submission of an application does not guarantee sideline access. The number of credentials may be limited based on attendance, available sideline space, safety and security considerations, event operations and other game-specific circumstances.
Game-Day Requirements
Approved photographers will be required to follow VISD's Memorial Stadium Sideline Rules and Conduct and remain within designated photography areas.
Photographers must also follow the direction of VISD staff, administrators and game officials regarding placement and movement. Game and tournament administrators and officials retain final authority regarding photographer placement during an event.
Approved photographers must visibly wear both their Memorial Stadium Sideline Pass and Raptor-issued identification badge while accessing credentialed areas. Credentials are issued to an individual photographer and may not be transferred, shared or used by another person.
Photographers who fail to comply with VISD policies, Athletics requirements, sideline rules or instructions from district or event personnel may be relocated or removed from restricted areas. VISD Athletics and the Athletic Director or designee reserve the right to deny, suspend or revoke sideline access when necessary. Fees will not be refunded when access is revoked due to a violation of established requirements.
The Memorial Stadium Sideline Pass process applies to VISD-hosted regular-season varsity football games at Memorial Stadium. Playoff games and events hosted by other organizations may be subject to separate credentialing requirements.
Photographers interested in requesting sideline access can review the Memorial Stadium Sideline Pass Guidelines and submit an application at www.visd.net/sidelinepass.