New No Fans Rule for BC Indoor Sporting Events
Previously this fall, fans were allowed into indoor sporting events at Bluefield College; however, that is no longer the case.
After just one game with fan participation, the BC administration has decided to prohibit fan attendance for all fall indoor athletic competitions. The reasoning behind the decision comes from new guidelines set by the Virginia Department of Health.
“It all boils down to the safety of student-athletes,” said Alfonzo Alvarez, assistant athletic director for compliance and internal operations. “These new, tighter or more strict guidelines required us to seriously consider the ‘No Fan Rule’ as a safety measure for our student-athletes.”
Since fans are no longer allowed inside BC sports facilities, it has become even more important for Athletics to live stream games for those wishing to view the competitions. As of right now, the college has one camera for live streaming athletic events, so the question is, “How will conflicting games be live streamed at the same time?”.
“We have requested additional equipment, such as cameras, laptops, and cables,” Alvarez said, “to give us the flexibility to work more than one game at a time.”
Alvarez added that Athletics has added a permanently mounted camera in the Dome that allows teams to record practice as well as live stream events. While students, family and friends have the option to live stream the games, there are still issues to overcome.
“I’m frustrated because I can’t support my friends (as an in-person fan), and I have to watch on a streaming device that freezes too much,” said BC student Matthew Trevillian.
And fans aren’t the only ones expressing disappointment. BC athletes are also trying to make the best of fans being prohibited from attending indoor competitions.
“I was a little disappointed to only have one opportunity to have fans at our home games this season,” said women’s volleyball player Claire Fingerlin. “However, it came as no shock that we would stop allowing fans.”
Fingerlin said having fans at the games creates a more “energetic atmosphere” in the gym.
“It also challenges our team to create our own energy and excitement when playing,” she said.
And while Fingerlin as a sophomore will have other opportunities for competitions with fan attendance, some BC student-athletes don’t have that privilege.
“I don’t like it (no fans at the games),” said Tiyanna Scott, who is playing her final season with the Lady Rams basketball team, “especially with it being my senior year. It feels like a scrimmage and affects our energy as a team.”
Tianna Crockett, another senior with the women’s basketball team, agreed with Fingerlin and said, “They (the crowd) can change the game with their energy.”
While the athletes are struggling to see the positive side of the situation, BC coaches seem to see it differently.
“I think it is for the protection of our athletes,” said Richard Morgan, head men’s basketball coach. “If you allow fans in, it puts our athletes at risk.”
However, Morgan does see the athletes’ side of things when it comes to how fans affect the games.
“Because you feed off of your fans’ energy, fans not being here could cause the players not to have that edge they need,” said Morgan.
And while spectators are not allowed to attend BC indoor athletic events for now, all hope is not lost for fans returning to BC’s indoor events.
“We have a watchful eye on these changes (the state Health Department’s policies),” Alvarez said, “and as soon as we can we will open things back up.”