Kent State Announces Winter Sports Attendance Policy
11/19/2020 2:43:00 PM | General, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Women's Volleyball, Wrestling, Gymnastics, The Golden Flashes Club
KENT, OHIO-After a review of state and local COVID-19 conditions, and after consulting with public health experts and Kent State University President Todd Diacon, only participants and game day personnel will be permitted to attend Kent State's athletic events in the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center (M.A.C.C) for the 2020-21 season.
This protocol will be enforced for all men's and women's basketball games, gymnastics, volleyball and wrestling home events. Only student-athletes, staff and designated event personnel may be present. There will be no admittance for fans, friends or family. The Kent State band, cheer and dance programs will also not be in attendance.
If conditions regarding COVID-19 allow, and if state guidelines permit, Kent State intends to host senior nights, when limited family members of seniors would be able to attend. Kent State football will play its senior day at the Dec. 12 home game against Ohio University, when parents of the senior class of football players, band, cheer and dance members will be able to attend.
This policy does not extend to working media as they are considered event personnel. The media will be required to follow media protocols as well as the Flashes Safe Seven.
"I fully support our continued measures that the university is putting in place at our games to help prevent the spread of COVID-19," said Kent State Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen. "The health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and community remains at the forefront of this decision. We look forward to the day when everyone can cheer on our teams together again. In the meantime, we encourage you to watch on our streaming platforms and listen to the events on the Kent State Radio Network."
Fans can visit KentStateSports.com for all video and audio streaming links.
This decision is being made in response to Portage County's COVID-19 Risk Level 3 (Red) status. The Kent Campus resides in Portage County, and as such, must adhere to the state's guidelines for counties. Level 3 indicates a very high exposure and spread of the virus.
"While our enthusiastic fan base helps provide a real home-court advantage, I support our administration's attendance policy for the upcoming season," Kent State women's basketball coach Todd Starkey said. "Protecting the health and safety of our student-athletes is essential, and we are committed to doing our part in helping minimize the spread of this virus throughout the community. Our program had the 11th-largest average attendance increase in the country last season, and our team looks forward to the days of being able to celebrate our wins with fans in the MAC Center once again."
For the latest information about COVID-19 cases reported across the Kent State system, visit the university's coronavirus dashboard.
Media Contact: Dan Griffin, Director of Athletics Communication (330)-814-5921 | dgriff34@kent.edu
