Silverfield hopeful fans will be able to attend games
If it was up to Memphis football coach Ryan Silverfield, he’d prefer not to play games this season at an empty Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
“Would I be in favor it? No way,” Silverfield said during a virtual meeting with the Rotary Club of Memphis. “It’s the fans that make the game. We’re so lucky we have such an amazing fanbase here and many of you attend our games at the Liberty Bowl. I want that Liberty Bowl packed, let’s fill it with 60,000 every game.”
However, he acknowledged that it’s also out of his control. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the NCAA and government officials are weighing all possible options to determine what’s safe for all parties.
Silverfield said that as he meets often with athletic director Laird Veatch and university president M. David Rudd, they too are considering the scenarios not just for their football team but what’s best to keep fans safe.
“Whether it’s limited seating, social distancing or no fans at all, the safety of you guys is obviously a major factor as well,” Silverfield said. “So whatever they decide to be, so be it. I just know that regardless we got Tiger fans all over the country, especially here in the city of Memphis, that are anxious to watch us get back to work.”
For now, there’s remains no consensus on what could happen to college football. AAC commissioner Mike Aresco told ESPN radio host Paul Finebaum in April there’s a chance the season could start in the winter and finish in the spring.
There’s also scheduling conflicts that could happen if one state has reopened its economy while another follows more restrictive shelter-in-place laws.
These are conversations that Silverfield hears not just among Memphis administrators but as chairman of the AAC coaches committee. As he has discussions over possible scheduling changes, any option is on the table.
“Say there’s a region of our country that the government doesn’t allow
them to open up or a university that doesn't allow students ever back on campus even being student-athletes,” Silverfield said. “We've discussed if we have to move forward and there's somebody currently on our schedule that we're not able to play due to the circumstances. Unless the NCAA oversteps, we're going to do everything in our power to play as many games in our conference and on our schedule as possible.”
For now, all he can do is remain optimistic. As Silverfield took questions, Rudd posted a picture on Twitter of the Tigers' indoor practice facility. The screenshot showed the inside of the facility covered in turf as construction continued.
“Still doing. Almost. Done.” Rudd said on Twitter.
Yet while Silverfield was eager to get back to work on the field, he understood the decision was out of his control as he tries to balance his optimism with the discussions that he's a part of.
“Do I think that we will be out on the practice field at some point? Yes. To give you an exact date wouldn't be fair. We're constantly doing the research and as we know, these numbers change every single day,” Silvefield said. “We're going to continue to listen to the experts and do it the right way and as soon as we get the green light, we will safely resume to it. I know our kids are itching at the bit and ready to roll.”