Saints hopeful fans can attend
Set new seating chart for social distancing
The Siena athletic department announced Friday it is “optimistic” fans will be allowed to attend men’s basketball games at Times Union Center this season, which is currently prevented by the state’s COVID -19 guidelines.
The Saints released a socially distanced seating chart with ticket options and encouraged fans to buy season tickets by Oct. 30 to ensure being seated.
However, Siena athletic spokesman Mike Demos acknowledged the department is planning for all contingencies and doesn’t know yet if the team will even play at the downtown arena if fans are kept out. Siena could opt to play without fans on campus at Alumni Recreation Center.
“We don’t know for sure if it’s going to happen,” Demos said. “We’re trying to plan for all options. Obviously, we’re hopeful we can play at Times Union Center. We’re hoping New York state will allow us to have fans. That all being said, we’re trying to be as prepared as we can be to proceed that way. We can’t wait until two days before the season. We obviously realize it’s 2020 and it’s COVID and this could all get thrown out the window.”
In Albany County, where the arena is located, coronavirus cases are rising and approaching levels last seen in April.
The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference isn’t allowing fans to attend games until Dec. 23, at which point the league will review its policy in accordance with state and local guidelines. The Saints have home games against Saint Peter’s on Dec. 11 and Quinnipiac on Dec. 18, followed by eight home games after Dec. 23.
Siena head coach Carmen Maciariello has said he would like to play at Times Union Center whether fans are allowed or not because it’s the team’s home court and he believes it’s good for recruiting if the games are livestreamed from the arena.
Times Union Center general manager Bob Belber said he’s offered Siena a “very affordable deal” to play there even without fans because the cost would be lower without staffing required. Siena athletic director John D’argenio didn’t return a message Friday.
Siena said fans who buy season tickets can get a refund or transfer funds to the 2021-22 season if there’s a disruption to the schedule because of CO
VID -19.
The new seating chart has season tickets available for $175 each in the lower bowl in sections 103 to 107 and 118 to 122 and in the upper bowl from 205 to 209 and 227 to 231. The cost is $125 each in outer sections of the lower bowl in 101, 102, 108 to 117 and 123 to 130. Demos said the capacity will depend on what the state allows.