SDSU EXPECTS OPEN STADIUM
San Diego State is optimistic that anyone who wants to watch SDSU’s 2021 “home” football games in person will be welcomed at Dignity Health Sports Park.
“At this point, the way the things are progressing and based on the discussions we’ve had with the folks at Dignity Health, we’re going to open the stadium up as if it’s going to have full capacity,” said John David Wicker, SDSU’s director of athletics. “As we get closer, if it looks like that’s not going to happen, then we’ll have to pivot.”
Wicker’s comments came just hours before Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the state would be reopened June 15, barring any pandemic-related setbacks, to make it business — and sports — as usual.
SDSU is playing at the 27,000-seat venue in Carson during the 2020-21 seasons while Aztec Stadium is under construction.
Fans were not allowed at Dignity during the 2020 season because of COVID-19 restrictions.
SDSU tweeted last October that nearly 50 percent of their 7,600 season ticket holders either donated the full value of their 2020 season tickets back to the athletic department or rolled the money over into their 2021 season tickets.
The Aztecs kick off the season Sept. 4 against New Mexico State.
SDSU announced last week that seat selection will take place April 19-May 3 for those interested in season tickets for 2021, which will include seven home games.
According to the Aztec Athletic ticket office, season ticket prices start at $149 (end zone bench seats with backs) and include price points at $274 (lower/upper sideline from end zone to 30-yard line), $375 (lower/upper sideline from 30- to 50-yard lines) and $475 (lower sideline between the 30-yard lines).
“Hopefully, we will get San Diego-based fans that will drive up,” Wicker said. “But we also know that we’ve got a good number of alumni in Orange County and Los Angeles County and, hopefully, we can entice some of those folks not to have to make the drive all
the way to San Diego and be a lot closer and be able to have a good experience.”
Wicker said school officials are working through accommodations for students, who are allowed free at home games.
“We’re definitely going to make buses available for students,” Wicker said. “It may be late into the summer what that is, based on protocols and procedures coming out of the CDC, trickling down to the state and trickling down to the CSU.
“But we will definitely have a plan for students getting to Carson.”
Players getting vaccine
On April 15, anyone 16 and over in the state will be eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, although a significant number of Aztecs players already qualified under CDC guidelines.
Those with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher qualified for the vaccine regardless of age.
“We’ve been able to get between
30 and 40 guys who have been able to sign up,” said coach Brady Hoke, noting that most of the players are offensive or defensive linemen. “We’re going to try to encourage all of them to get it done.”
Spring camp update
Hoke shared some insight on how spring practice is going after four workouts, which are not open to the public or media:
“Really excited about how we’ve gone out and taken the field. The physicalness, I think the competition and the effort, being physical has been something that we’ve really tried to keep getting out of our players. That’s part of who we are. Our toughness.
“We’ve got a lot of young players who missed a lot of development because of COVID and just different protocols that you had last spring, obviously, and then in the fall. So really pleased with how those guys are coming along, particularly those younger guys.”
• Hoke updated the quarterback competition involving
senior returners Lucas Johnson and Jordon Brookshire and sophomore transfer Jalen Mayden.
“Really, really happy, I think from Jordon to Lucas and how he’s performed and Jalen,” Hoke said. “Obviously, a little bit of a head start for Jordon and Lucas from being here in the fall.
“I think Jalen’s done a nice job of getting himself comfortable and really being able to manage the offense right now. But I think once you get to know how to manage it, then I think you become more of a playmaker.”
• Asked if any players have jumped out at him or surprised him after the first four practices, Hoke mentioned redshirt freshman running back Jaylon Armstead and sophomore defensive lineman Nassir Sims.
• Hoke said there have been the “normal nicked up” type of things with players, but no significant injuries during camp.