The University of South Alabama football program announced on Friday how it will handle fans in attendance for games at the beginning of the upcoming football season amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The school is limiting Hancock Whitney Stadium to 25% of its normal capacity. All attendees will be required to wear masks and maintain social distancing, and temperature checks will be given before anyone can enter the Hargrove Club and suites.
Tailgating has been banned for the month of September, a policy the university says it will reassess as the season goes on.
South Alabama is the first college in the state to announce how it will handle fans at football games for the 2020 season.
Fans in the stadium will be required to stay in their assigned seats, and may not congregate in public areas.
All seating will be socially distanced, but for groups of friends and family, a cluster of no more than five can sit together.
Suites will be limited to 10 people with no visitors, and the Hargrove Club will also be capped at 25% capacity with social distancing enforced between club seats.
The school has given season ticket holders until August 13 to notify the relevant department of their plans to go ahead with attending games this season. More details can be accessed here.
The Jaguars’ first ever game at Hancock Whitney Stadium is scheduled for September 12 against the Tulane Green Wave.
University of Alabama System Chancellor Finis “Fess” St. John was recently asked by President Donald Trump about the Crimson Tide’s outlook for playing the football season.
St. John said the team was on track to play but acknowledged “great difficulties and complexities” with organizing the season amid the pandemic.
Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95
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