Currently, fans are not allowed inside Matthew’s arena or the Cabot center due “increase in number of COVID-19 cases on the Boston campus”. We haven’t had any fans at home games since this statement was released a month ago. During that time, not many students were even on campus due to the beginning of winter break. Since the start of the semester, the community feels restless. A restlessness that can only be solved when fans are allowed at home games.
Of course, I understand where the University is coming from when making such an announcement, but that doesn’t stop these unpleasant feelings from arising. Fans and students follow protocol when going to home games. Furthermore, students also get weekly testing done. The Northeastern community is always working to create a safe and welcoming environment. Yet, I find it hard to show my “husky spirit” when I can’t participate in some of my favorite school events.
In some sense, it almost feels as if home games were the cause of rising cases in the Northeastern community. That they were the only places where COVID was spreading. This may be an irrational feeling, but irrationality comes from distance. Distance from what we want. The men’s hockey team has a home game this weekend. The game is for military appreciation, but there will be no one in the stands to appreciate.
In my opinion, fans can be allowed back into home games if proper actions are taken. The administration of the athletic department would have to put in more work to execute new plans. An immediate example I can think of is to restrict the number of fans allowed at home games. Reserving tickets beforehand and having only a select amount for reservation would be a good way to regulate this. More students should also be allowed than the general public. Although I am not sure of the logistics, I believe that taking action and creating plans is better than idly sitting by.
