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Throughout the school year, COVID-19 has caused schools to limit fan attendance at sporting events. These restrictions have varied depending on the sport and whether it’s an indoor or outdoor sport.
For this year’s spring sports season, more fans will be allowed than winter sports because it is an outdoor sport. Everyone will be required to wear masks unless they are actively playing in the game.
“Outdoor events will have 30 percent capacity which is approximately 1500 allowed,” athletic director Brett Diehl said.
The stadium can hold a lot more people and has more space, so 1,200 more fans are allowed at outdoor events. These new restrictions have also brought on a lot of pros and cons for players and parents.
“Some cons are that students have not been able to come to watch and support their fellow classmates, ticket revenue has decreased and student-athletes have not been able to experience the same atmosphere for their games,” Diehl said.
Sporting events this year have not been the same, especially with no student sections. Fans have been relying on streams and live coverage to stay informed about games.
“I think streaming the events is very cool for family members that don’t live nearby, and it could be used in the future when covid doesn’t limit fans so others can watch it too,” sophomore softball player Meghan Riley said.
The overall atmosphere of games changes with more fans. With student sections, people can hear the chants and players become fueled by all the cheering.
“With limited fans, it is going to limit the social aspect of people coming to watch their friends and enjoying student sections,” Riley said.
This spring sports season will be very different from past years, but the players, fans and coaches are all glad to have a season this year and hopefully more fans are allowed as the season goes on.
Throughout the school year, COVID-19 has caused schools to limit fan attendance at sporting events. These restrictions have varied depending on the sport and whether it’s an indoor or outdoor sport.
For this year’s spring sports season, more fans will be allowed than winter sports because it is an outdoor sport. Everyone will be required to wear masks unless they are actively playing in the game.
“Outdoor events will have 30 percent capacity which is approximately 1500 allowed,” athletic director Brett Diehl said.
The stadium can hold a lot more people and has more space, so 1,200 more fans are allowed at outdoor events. These new restrictions have also brought on a lot of pros and cons for players and parents.
“Some cons are that students have not been able to come to watch and support their fellow classmates, ticket revenue has decreased and student-athletes have not been able to experience the same atmosphere for their games,” Diehl said.
Sporting events this year have not been the same, especially with no student sections. Fans have been relying on streams and live coverage to stay informed about games.
“I think streaming the events is very cool for family members that don’t live nearby, and it could be used in the future when covid doesn’t limit fans so others can watch it too,” sophomore softball player Meghan Riley said.
The overall atmosphere of games changes with more fans. With student sections, people can hear the chants and players become fueled by all the cheering.
“With limited fans, it is going to limit the social aspect of people coming to watch their friends and enjoying student sections,” Riley said.
This spring sports season will be very different from past years, but the players, fans and coaches are all glad to have a season this year and hopefully more fans are allowed as the season goes on.
