Iowa State University is on the brink of allowing a limited number of fans at athletic events after it banned all spectators due to COVID-19.
In a letter to fans that was reported by the Des Moines CBS affiliate, Iowa State announced that it will resume virus attendance policies and limit fans at Jack Trice Stadium to around 15,000. The school also said it will allow 1,300 fans at basketball games at Hilton Coliseum.
ISU athletic director Jamie Pollard said the decision was made after reviewing state and local virus positivity trends and hospitalization rates.
“I am not going to the game for myself,” Nathan Dishman, and assistant professor at ISU told CBS. “I haven’t spoken to anyone, any of my close neighbors or friends or family, that are going to the game either. Everyone I know is staying home.”
Lisa Ray, a healthcare worker near campus, disagrees with the decision.
“It’s not a good time,” Ray said. “I understand the parents want to watch the football players or their sons play, but we also have to look out for other people."
The Cyclones’ new policy will begin Saturday as Iowa State hosts West Virginia for a chance to win the Big 12 Conference title.
