Limited fans allowed to return to football games. What it means for NC State, UNC, Duke.
North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham was hopeful all along that fans would be allowed to attend games in October. His hunch was confirmed Tuesday when Gov. Roy Cooper announced that stadiums that hold more than 10,000 will be allowed to have attendance of 7% of its capacity beginning Oct. 2.
When UNC first revealed its attendance policy in August, it called for no fans throughout September for all of its fall sports as a way to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Even back then, the school planned on re-visiting the policy with the idea that a limited amount of fans could return in October. In a statement released Tuesday from Cunningham, it hinted that he’s hopeful the number will expand from 7%.
“We are hopeful that the number of people allowed in our stadiums will safely increase as Fall progresses,” Cunningham said in the statement. “We will be particularly excited to have parents and students back in our stands; they were certainly missed during our season-opener.”
At Kenan Stadium, concession stands were closed for UNC’s season opener against Syracuse on Sept. 12. The usual cadre of ushers and abundance of security officers were missing too. UNC didn’t have more than 25 fans in attendance for its win over the Orange. The school teamed with all the Football Bowl Subdivision schools in the state with the exception of Duke in asking the governor’s office to allow the parents of players to attend games. Initially, they were rejected, but the state relented a week later.
The Tar Heels’ next home game is Oct. 10 against Virginia Tech. Cunningham is making plans to open things back up, albeit just for about 3,500 fans in a stadium that seats 50,500.
“We are working with health experts and our university on plans for seating, concessions and continued communication of community standards, with the health of our student-athletes, coaches and staff and community our top priority,” Cunningham said.
NC State not home again until Oct. 17
N.C State will have to wait a few weeks to reap the benefits of the state’s allowance of more fans. The Wolfpack, however, did have some fans for their season-opener against Wake Forest on Sept. 19.
The day before the game, the team distributed 350 tickets. Each player received two game tickets and Wake Forest was given 100. The school also had cutouts of fans throughout the lower level of the stadium during the game.
N.C. State will not return to Carter-Finley Stadium until Oct. 17, for a rare game against Duke. Carter-Finley Stadium holds 57,583 fans. With the governor’s 7% attendance capacity, around 4,000 people would be allowed to attend the game against the Blue Devils.
“We have a tremendous atmosphere at Carter-Finley Stadium and our goal throughout this process has been to make every effort to have spectators in the stands, in whatever capacity we’re permitted to,” N.C. State athletics director Boo Corrigan said in a statement. “We will continue to work with the state government, county and all appropriate authorities on the safest and most responsible conditions within our grounds, but we are grateful to be able to reintroduce a portion of fans within our stadium.”
The Wolfpack has four home games remaining. They play at home once in October, but are scheduled to play three straight home games in November. The Wolfpack closes out the season Dec. 5 at home against Georgia Tech.
“We have several weeks until our next home game and will communicate next steps at the appropriate point,” Corrigan said.
Duke reviewing the new guidelines
Duke, like UNC, also decided last month that it would not allow spectators for its fall sports. On Tuesday afternoon, Duke spokesman Art Chase said in an email to The News & Observer the school would, “review the new guidelines and determine the best course of action.”
The Blue Devils’ next home game is Oct. 3 against Virginia Tech.
Duke made its home debut Saturday in a 26-6 loss to Boston College.
This story was originally published September 22, 2020 at 4:19 PM.