Pilots Prevent
October 26, 2021
After an exciting return to in-person soccer games at Merlo Field this fall, everyone’s looking ahead to another season of sports this winter, starting with men’s and women’s basketball in the Chiles Center. Games are indoors (and blessedly warm and rain-free), but that might have you wondering about COVID protocols inside the arena. We caught up with Jason Brough, senior associate athletic director, to find out what we need to know before we go.
“Our student-athletes are so excited to play in front of people again,” says Brough. “They’re craving it. And I think there’s a lot of comfort in the COVID policies and vaccine requirements. The visiting teams all have vaccine standards too, so the players aren’t concerned about any risks.”
The policies in place require visitors to wear masks and show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR COVID test within 72 hours of the game (students only need to bring their ID card). The NCAA also mandates a distance of at least 6 feet between player benches and fans, so to maintain that distance, attendees will have to go up and around the bench using the stairs before coming down to their seats. But other than that, it’s business as usual. And, if seating gets crowded and people aren’t comfortable sitting next to a stranger, they can move to the upper seating area where there’s more room to distance.
Brough says the basketball players are ecstatic to finally play a relatively normal season again after the ups and downs of last year. “There's a lot more stability this year,” he says. “Other teams were going down for 1 or 2 weeks due to COVID. We were always having to scramble and reschedule games. You never knew week-to-week what to expect.”
The basketball season will kick off Friday, October 29, with Ballin’ on the Bluff. The student-centered pep rally of sorts will be held in the Chiles Center and feature contests with a “significant prize giveaway,” says Brough. Expect a shooting contest, a slam-dunk contest, and an on-the-court dance contest between residence halls with a pizza party for the entire dorm as the prize. General fans can come as well but they’ll be on the opposite side of the arena from the students.
It’s also a chance to introduce the men’s and women’s basketball team rosters, the new men’s coach, and celebrate the women’s 2020 WCC championship.
“The women’s team didn't get a chance to celebrate their WCC championship. They didn’t get to play in the NCAA tournament. Normally there’s a banner unveiling. So, to honor them will be fun.”
Brough says he’s expecting a big turnout for the women’s home game against University of Oregon on December 4, as well as on November 13, when there’s not only a men’s and women’s basketball double-header but also the men’s soccer senior game. Later in the season, during conference play in January or February, they’ll have special appreciation days honoring educators, first-responders, and nurses, and will offer free tickets to alumni of the School of Education and School of Nursing. He also points out that volleyball games are free to attend.
“We want to get people in the stands and give them something to cheer on. Everyone is really excited about this season. The season ticket renewals are good. We’re hoping to get the students, faculty, and staff to come to as many games as they can and create a great environment.”
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