UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University Department of Athletics has updated its spectator guidelines following the recent announcement from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regarding a return to fans at games for the spring season.

The GLIAC announced Wednesday that the member institutions have approved guidelines for spectators to return to league sporting events effective immediately.  

SVSU will permit the return of spectators to Cardinal events with the following guidelines being enforced:

• SEATING

  • Admission to SVSU spring outdoor sporting events will be free of charge, and no ticket will be required for entry
  • Gates will be open one hour prior to the scheduled start time
  • Bleacher seating will be limited to COVID capacity limits, as follows
    • Soccer: 72 individuals
    • Softball: 72 individuals
    • Baseball: 88 individuals
  • Others will be welcome to stand or bring lawn chairs to view from the following areas
    • Soccer
      • South endline
      • East sideline on either side of the stadium seating
    • Softball
      • Leftfield outfield fence
    • Baseball
      • First baseline
      • Outfield fence
    • Spectators must remain 20 feet away from the playing area
  • No concessions will be available
  • No pets will be allowed in the facilities
  • No more than 375 spectators will be admitted inside the outer complex fencing for each contest
  • SVSU is not responsible for seating arrangements outside the outer complex fencing

   MASKING/SOCIAL DISTANCING

  • Spectators will be required to show daily clearance through the SVSU Campus Clear app
    • Individuals exhibiting COVID symptoms should not attend SVSU sporting events
    • Individuals in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID in the last 14 days should not attend SVSU sporting events
  • Spectators are expected to maintain six (6) feet of distance between themselves and anyone not part of their immediate household
  • Facemasks are MANDATORY at all times!
  • Spectators are prohibited from intermingling with student-athletes, coaches, and other participants before, during, and after the competition.

The above guidelines pertain to SVSU home athletic events. Other GLIAC member institutions may enforce differing protocols for SVSU road contests.

"I commend the efforts put forth by our athletic departments and our Covid-19 task force, who have found a way for our student-athletes to compete safely during a full winter sports season," GLIAC Commissioner Kris Dunbar said. "We are hoping to see continued success as we head into the spring sports season and begin to allow a conservative number of fans in attendance." 

For the full announcement from the GLIAC, CLICK HERE.