Very soon the Bryce Jordan Center will be packed with 15,000 student volunteers and spectators for THON. While many Rules & Regulations Captains and Committee Members work tirelessly to ensure security and the PASS system, there’s another driving force to security that works behind the scenes: The Red Cell Analytics Lab (RCAL). We spoke with Sam Small, the RCAL Communications Officer to learn more about the club and its involvement with THON.

The RCAL is operated out of the College of Information Sciences and Technology. Their motto is “Think Like Your Adversary” with the goal to start thinking like the enemy. The club was designed to give students experience in real world problems. It helps them analyze and develop critical thinking skills. In addition to THON, the group recently just partnered with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

For THON they team up with the Emergency Management Club. During the weekend they work in the Emergency Operations Center in Beaver Stadium to monitor the weekend to find any issues that could hinder THON. They monitor social media, the live feed, and security cameras. Before the actual weekend, the team assisted with a BJC evacuation drill where they simulated an evacuation situation and quizzed Captains, Security Leaders, and Second-in-Commands about proper procedure.

“In the past [we] have reported anything from trash bins falling over and the lines obstructing the road to security concerns,” Small said. There will be about 75 different members from both RCAL and Emergency Management Club working shifts in the Emergency Operations Center throughout the duration of THON.

Small and her team are ready to take on the weekend. “We appreciate the opportunity to use our education and experience to contribute to THON by helping keep its participants safe and able to focus on the kids and the cause.”