Tar Heel fans express mixed emotions over no-attendance policy for UNC football

The North Carolina football team played its first game since the outbreak of COVID-19, but it wasn’t a typical game day.

There were no fans there to cheer the team on. The only people in attendance were some family members of each of the 12 seniors and graduate players, along with a small section of cutout photos. The rest of the stadium was filled with empty Carolina Blue seats. 

Right now, Roy Cooper's phased reopening limits outdoor gatherings to 50 people, but Orange County's rules are stricter, keeping outdoor events to just 25 people. 

Penny Rich, chairperson of the Board of County Commissioners, previously said the lower limit was kept because of the high COVID-19 positivity rate in the county, which was 10.1 percent at the start of the month. 

"We know this is disappointing to you – our fans, donors and supporters -- and our venues will not be the same without you there," Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham said in a statement on Aug. 28 when the decision was announced. "This decision, however, was the only way we could move forward with competition. Our student-athletes want to play, and we must do so as safely as possible. We made this decision in consultation with medical experts, our University, and state and local officials."

The decision by the UNC Department of Athletics to not have fans for the first two home games has gotten a mixed review from students. 

Junior Jessica Lewis and senior Nolan Conway both feel disappointed that UNC is keeping fans away from Kenan Memorial Stadium for at least the first two home games. 

"I think it is unfair,” Lewis said. “I understand why they are doing it, but I know other schools have made it work very well."

Lewis attended the University of Memphis’ first home football game on Sept. 5 and reported that she felt safe.  

“Everyone was socially distanced,” she said. “You could see in the background how much space was between the fans and everyone had masks on.”

There was an outbreak of COVID-19 after the game among Memphis' players, causing the Tigers' next game against the University of Houston to be postponed. Allegedly, the outbreak started after Tigers players congregated on a party bus after their victory over Arkansas State. No information has been reported about outbreaks among the game's crowd.

Conway was looking forward to his final year as a Tar Heel. The senior said the thought of not going to any home football games is very upsetting, but he has remained excited considering the long pause of sports. 

“With college plus NFL football starting the same weekend and my NHL team getting swept in the Play-In round, I pretty much haven’t had any sports since March,” he said.  

UNC has yet to mention its plans for the home games after September, so there is still a chance that there will be fan attendance later in the season. Conway would still be more than willing to go if given the opportunity. 

“I would go to every single game if they did,” he said.

Junior Chad Allison was originally expecting there to be games held under limited capacity, so he is curious about how the games will feel without people in the stands. Despite his wish to attend in person, he said he was pleasantly surprised about fans being barred from attendance, calling it the right choice. 

“As much as I'll miss being at games, I think it's the safest for all parties involved to not have fans,” he said. “I know the football players have worked hard all offseason to prepare for this year, and I think it would be extremely selfish to allow fans to be at their games if it posed any risk to their health whatsoever.”

@ryanheller23

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