WVU Sends Out Update on Fan Attendance for Season Opener
Sean Taylor
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For many reasons this football season will be like none other. Well, we can add one more reason as the West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced the season opener against Eastern Kentucky on September 12 “will take place without spectators at Milan Puskar Stadium.”
This is heartbreaking news for those of us who make the trek to Mountaineer Field every year to watch the Mountaineers play.
Please read this update regarding fan attendance for the 2020 home games.
— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) August 20, 2020
More on the story from WVUSports.com:
The West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, in conjunction with University, local and state officials, has determined that football’s season opener against Eastern Kentucky on Sept. 12 will take place without spectators at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Due to safety precautions from the COVID-19 pandemic, only essential game operations personnel and families of the players and football staff will be admitted. Expected capacity at Big 12 Conference home games, starting on Oct. 3 vs. Baylor, will be announced in the future and determined by local public health conditions at the time.
“We are disappointed that we will not be able to allow fans to attend the Sept. 12 home game, but we are working diligently to open our gates for Big 12 Conference play,” Director of Athletics Shane Lyons said. “It is our goal to have fans at Milan Puskar Stadium this season, but right now, that is not possible for the EKU game.
“Our primary collective University focus right now is on the start of classes and the safe return of our students to our WVU Campuses. I am hopeful that all of us will be aggressive in taking appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of this virus so that all parties can be comfortable allowing a percentage of fans to attend on Oct. 3 and beyond. Until then, I ask for your understanding of the decisions that are being made and trust that we are doing everything we can to welcome Mountaineer Nation back to one of the best atmospheres in college football.”
Information will be sent out in the coming days with regards to the options for 2020 ticket purchasers. There will be options for allocating their funds to remaining home games that will have spectators.