(Ames) Iowa State Athletic Director Jamie Pollard says they continue to work with campus officials to finalize their comprehensive COVID-19 mitigation measures for hosting football games. Pollard says several changes have been made to what was previously shared regarding mitigation efforts for Jack Trice Stadium.
Face coverings will be required at all times for all individuals at the games. This includes suites, club sections, general seating, and the press tower.
Access to all parking lots will be available two hours before and after kickoff. There will be no tailgating allowed, no tent parties on stadium grounds, including tent row north of the stadium. RV’s and buses will not be allowed to park in any university-owned parking lots. Donors who purchase an RV parking pass will automatically have their pass converted to a donor or car parking lot.
Concession stand operations will be limited to water and soda only. However, fans will be allowed to bring in their own snacks, (provided the items adhere to the current clear bag policy) into the stadium.
There will be no food or alcohol service in the Jack Trice Club or the Sukup End Zone Club. Water or soda service will be available in those clubs.
Jamie Pollard says capacity limits are still under discussion. The following are the three options under consideration:
1). Attendance would be limited to student-athletes’ families and friends.
2). Allowing season ticket holders to sit in their current seating location but limiting stadium capacity to 25-percent. This would require assigning each ticket holder three of the six scheduled home games. Pollard says they’ve already sold season tickets for 50-percent capacity. By limiting capacity to 25-percent means each season ticket would include three games.
3). Keep stadium capacity at 50-percent (the fans who have already purchased season tickets) but reseat the entire stadium, using each ticket holder’s Cyclone Club level with priority points, to create as much social distance between ticket holders as possible. Ticket holders would most likely not get their normal seat location but they would be able to attend all six games.
Pollard says it’s their goal to provide the student-athletes and coaches the opportunity to play football games in a safe environment with the largest crowd possible. The safety of all participants, fans, and workers remain their top priority.
Ticket holders wishing to opt-out of the 2020 season, should contact the Cyclone Club or Athletics Ticket Office by August 28.
On another note; Jamie Pollard says they’re working closely with the Big 12 Conference and ISU head coaches to determine whether volleyball, soccer, and cross country will compete this fall.
Pollard’s statements come on the heels of the NCAA’s announcement on Thursday to cancel fall championships in those three sports. The decision was based on NCAA legislation that does not permit championships to be conducted in sports that have less than 50% of the institutions (who sponsor the sport) competing.
