AAC sets strict guidelines for marching bands, spirit squads
Bands, spirit squads face tough rules for football
The American Athletic Conference has implemented a strict set of football game day guidelines for marching bands and spirit squads, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Commercial Appeal on Wednesday.
The source requested anonymity because no official announcement has been made.
The conference is believed to be the first in Division I to issue such a directive, as efforts to minimize coronavirus-related risks continue. The goal is to keep each school's players, coaches and staff, as well as officiating crews, healthy enough to start the college football season on time and complete it uninterrupted.
The AAC declined to comment when contacted by The Commercial Appeal. AAC member institutions include Memphis, UCF, USF, Tulane, Temple, Cincinnati, East Carolina, SMU, Houston, Navy and Tulsa.
The confirmed restrictions currently apply only to members of each school's marching band and spirit squad, such as cheerleaders. The orders include: no travel to road games for any school's band or spirit squad and no on-field performance for the home team's band. The home team's band will be allowed in the stadium, although it might feature a reduced capacity and will be required to practice social distancing.
In addition, the home team's spirit squad will not be allowed on the field to start the season. The limitations placed on the band and spirit squads will be reevaluated as the season progresses.
Whether there will be further onfield and/or travel restrictions this fall remains to be seen. The AAC'S Football Working Group is expected to submit further recommendations to university presidents for approval, according to another source.