The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
MAC hoops tourney will bar fans
Games to proceed as slated
The Mid-American Conference announced March 10 concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus will leave fans on the outside for the upcoming men’s and women’s basketball tournaments at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.
Also known as COVID-19, the virus is creating a worldwide health scare that is just beginning to have ramifications on everyday life in the United States.
While on-court action in the MAC men’s and women’s tournaments will proceed as scheduled, from March 11-14, fans will not be allowed inside the 20,000seat arena for any of the sessions.
In an official release, the MAC specified access to the inside of the arena for games, news conferences and other tournament-related activities will be restricted to “only credentialed institutional personnel, student-athlete family members, credentialed media, television and radio crews, and official team party members.”
The announcement came one day after Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said during a news conference in Columbus his office was recommending measures to impede the spread of the virus that included barring spectators from sporting events and other large-scale public functions.
“The safety of all is our greatest concern,” MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher said in the MAC release. “Since January, I have stated that any
decision would follow the advice of state governmental officials and medical professionals. Following the feedback we received today we have taken this action which is in alignment with the recommendation of Governor DeWine.”
University of Akron director of athletics Larry Williams also issued a statement on the shutting out of fans from the MAC tournaments. The Akron men’s team has the No. 1 seed and is slated to play in the first of four men’s quarterfinals March 12.
“We fully support the health concerns and recommendations outline by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine,” Williams said. “At the same time, it is hard to describe how disappointed we are that all of our wonderful alumni, supporters and fans are not going to be able to attend this special event in person.
“And, it is so very disappointing the student athletes will not be able to enjoy the passion reflected by
the raucous crowds that always come out to support their Zips. Fortunately, there will be great television coverage for each game.”
The MAC release explained fans who purchased tickets for any of the tournament sessions can avail themselves of a full refund or receive a credit toward tickets for the 2021 MAC tourneys.
Beginning March 11, refunds and credits will be handled through the athletic departments of MAC member institutions or through the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse box office at (216) 420-2200.
The MAC’s decision to exclude fans from the arena for its tournaments this week could have a bearing on the upcoming NCAA Men’s Division I basketball tournament firstand second-round games scheduled at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on March 20 and March 22.
That event is run by the MAC and Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.