IUP yesterday announced that there will be no spectators permitted for any home athletic events scheduled through February 13th. The policy, which will affect three basketball home dates, is being enacted – in the words of a university release – “in order to protect the health and safety of…students, employees, and community.”
The decision was made in response to a rising number of covid-19 cases at IUP and “concern over the lack of spectator compliance” to the university’s masking mandate at indoor athletic events.
In an interview with Renda Broadcasting’s Mark Bertig, IUP Executive Director of Media Relations Michelle Fryling said it was a reluctant, but necessary decision.
The decision has prompted several donors to question their commitment to IUP Athletics. Some have even said they will pull their financial backing, but Fryling says it’s important that IUP fans stay together.
The scheduled games that fall into the no-spectator policy window are a men’s basketball game Monday against Slippery Rock and a doubleheader next Wednesday against Cal U.
The new policy does not cover non-athletic or non-IUP events at the KCAC.
