Will there be College football in the fall or even the spring?

[maroonmania]

Just an idea, but could programs only sell tickets to 50% capacity (or 30% or whatever) to allow for social distancing within the stadium? Ticket offices can block out the seat numbers that would make people sit beside each other. Just wondering if there's a middle ground between "fans" and "no fans".

I think ticket sells will be down dramatically anyway, but is there a way to manage the seating to create social distancing that prevents "no fans"? Seems feasible if full crowds are out of the question.

Not even sure how that would work given season tickets have already been purchased by everyone.

[RiverCityDawg]

Not even sure how that would work given season tickets have already been purchased by everyone.

This is on the premise that full stadiums won't be allowed. If that's the case they will have to refund season tickets regardless. In a partial capacity scenario they would just prioritize based on Bulldog Club points and redo seats for 2020 only, then go back to normal in 2021.

In fact, even if they do allow full stadiums, I suspect the University will refund anyone that doesn't feel comfortable attending games this year. I imagine there would be a pretty big backlash if we didn't do that.

Again, this is a contingency discussion. I'm hopeful it's a non-issue.

[somebodyshotmypaw]

My opinion is that we should have football with everything normal. People who want to attend can attend. Those who are uncomfortable attending can refuse to attend. Each individual can exercise their right as a free individual to make the choice that they feel is best for them. I'm amazed at all of the anti-socialism folks who are falling in line with "government should tell us when we can leave the house". In a free country, it really should be so simple.

[basedog]

My opinion is that we should have football with everything normal. People who want to attend can attend. Those who are uncomfortable attending can refuse to attend. Each individual can exercise their right as a free individual to make the choice that they feel is best for them. I'm amazed at all of the anti-socialism folks who are falling in line with "government should tell us when we can leave the house". In a free country, it really should be so simple.

I tend to agree, I have changed my mind about football not being played. IF I attend I may do all I cab to protect my self by wearing a mask and gloves.

[Bothrops]

No need to be sans mask, and bell ringing hand must be gloved!

[Jarius]

My opinion is that we should have football with everything normal. People who want to attend can attend. Those who are uncomfortable attending can refuse to attend. Each individual can exercise their right as a free individual to make the choice that they feel is best for them. I'm amazed at all of the anti-socialism folks who are falling in line with "government should tell us when we can leave the house". In a free country, it really should be so simple.

This is going to happen. The irrational fear mongering will subside soon enough.

[BeardoMSU]

My opinion is that we should have football with everything normal. People who want to attend can attend. Those who are uncomfortable attending can refuse to attend. Each individual can exercise their right as a free individual to make the choice that they feel is best for them. I'm amazed at all of the anti-socialism folks who are falling in line with "government should tell us when we can leave the house". In a free country, it really should be so simple.

Does this apply to the student athletes too? What about marching band, cheerleaders, stadium staff, etc.?

[Jarius]

Does this apply to the student athletes too?

Why would it not? No one has ever forced these athletes to play. Why would that start now? Anyone that does not feel comfortable going out into the world should shelter in place for as long as they see fit. This is a free country, or used to be.

[Todd4State]

This is going to happen. The fear irrational mongering will subside soon enough.

Oh the fear mongering will be strong for awhile whether it's necessary or not. I agree that people will be able to go if they choose to do so.

Does this apply to the student athletes too? What about marching band, cheerleaders, stadium staff, etc.?

The concessions people have been sheltering in place since USM last season.**

They can play football without the cheerleaders and band if it came down to it. I don't think it will come to that. If you're that worried about COVID as a band member that piddly band scholarship that covers books wouldn't be too bad to give up.

[somebodyshotmypaw]

Does this apply to the student athletes too? What about marching band, cheerleaders, stadium staff, etc.?

Is this a joke? Nobody is a slave. Nobody is forced to do anything. If a player doesn't want to play, then they don't have to. Fabian Lovett didn't want to play here so he left. Promise Taylor didn't want to play at all so she quit. People that don't feel comfortable playing can relinquish their scholarship and go do something else. They have the freedom to make that individual choice. Uncomfortable being a stadium staffer because of crowds? Then get a job mowing yards so you aren't around a bunch of folks. I can't believe people think it's complicated.

[Jarius]

Oh the fear mongering will be strong for awhile whether it's necessary or not. I agree that people will be able to go if they choose to do so.



The concessions people have been sheltering in place since USM last season.**

They can play football without the cheerleaders and band if it came down to it. I don't think it will come to that. If you're that worried about COVID as a band member that piddly band scholarship that covers books wouldn't be too bad to give up.

I should rephrase. The media will push this fear mongering once we open back up because they are going to do that no matter what the president does, but people will largely stop paying attention to the fear mongering once we open the world back up and it doesn’t turn into the walking dead like the media will try to portray. Our citizens have the attention span of a goldfish. People aren’t going to accept this for another few weeks, much less 5 months.

[Commercecomet24]

I should rephrase. The media will push this fear mongering once we open back up because they are going to do that no matter what the president does, but people will largely stop paying attention to the fear mongering once we open the world back up and it doesn’t turn into the walking dead like the media will try to portray. Our citizens have the attention span of a goldfish. People aren’t going to accept this for another few weeks, much less 5 months.

This pretty much sums it up.

[RocketDawg]

This is on the premise that full stadiums won't be allowed. If that's the case they will have to refund season tickets regardless. In a partial capacity scenario they would just prioritize based on Bulldog Club points and redo seats for 2020 only, then go back to normal in 2021.

In fact, even if they do allow full stadiums, I suspect the University will refund anyone that doesn't feel comfortable attending games this year. I imagine there would be a pretty big backlash if we didn't do that.

Again, this is a contingency discussion. I'm hopeful it's a non-issue.

That's probably at least the starting point, but would we wind up like men's basketball where the big donors had tickets but didn't go to the games?

[ScooterDog]

I have read where sunshine (and high humidity) kills the virus. What better place to have hot sunshine and high humidity than Davis Wade the first few weeks in Sept. I'm trying to be positive and finding something to look forward to. It just might happen. Masks & individual seat spacing might be in order, but just maybe the sun might save us. Your thoughts?

[RocketDawg]

I have read where sunshine (and high humidity) kills the virus. What better place to have hot sunshine and high humidity than Davis Wade the first few weeks in Sept. I'm trying to be positive and finding something to look forward to. It just might happen. Masks & individual seat spacing might be in order, but just maybe the sun might save us. Your thoughts?

Dunno. There seems to be plenty of cases along and either side of the equator, where it's hot and humid year around. There don't seem to be that many in equatorial Africa, but then there's not much testing there either.

I heard of one case a few days ago about a guy from one of the non-social tribes in the Amazon that got the disease. Gotta wonder how he got it, and if they shun contact with the outside world, how do we even know about it? That particular case sounds a little contradictory.

But back to your idea - it's hard to see how anything could handle the heat and humidity of Davis Wade in late August - September. Go to the concession stand and your hot dog is spoiled before you get back to your seat ....

[coachnorm]

I see that golf and tennis globally have shut down for the year. I wonder if the WEALTHY know something? That is why I am hopeful but not confident.

[RocketDawg]

I see that golf and tennis globally have shut down for the year. I wonder if the WEALTHY know something? That is why I am hopeful but not confident.

The PGA has tournaments scheduled to start in June, sans spectators. The Masters is scheduled for November, presumably with spectators ("patrons"). So at the moment, not shut for the year.

Many states, most I think, have allowed golf courses to remain open, with some differences (one-person carts, cups with foam in them to make the ball easier to retrieve, etc.).

[Lord McBuckethead]

Government is talking about sports venues opening in phase one.

Sorry media!

The government doesn't control when the stadiums open back up. They can definitely stromgly suggest to close them down, but I don't think they could force universities to open them up.

Also note, most people that make decisions for universities are overly careful. Because given a hugely bad decision could spell the end of their administrative career.

Even if they do have games, fans will not be allowed to attend. If we had a vaccine, yes. If we had herd immunity, then yes. But without one ofbthose two, thousands of fans withing 2 inches of each other would be terrible. Universities probably will not take that liability.

I say the same thing I jave been saying for weeks, it isn't happening with fans.

[Jacksondevildog]

This post made me spit my drink laughing. So, so true.

Oh the fear mongering will be strong for awhile whether it's necessary or not. I agree that people will be able to go if they choose to do so.



The concessions people have been sheltering in place since USM last season.**

They can play football without the cheerleaders and band if it came down to it. I don't think it will come to that. If you're that worried about COVID as a band member that piddly band scholarship that covers books wouldn't be too bad to give up.

[Lord McBuckethead]

I think they could. But when football season comes around I don't think they'll have to.

I would take that bet. I believe the chance we even have college football this calender year is slim. For fans, I say around 2% chance.