College of the Redwoods Halts Sports and HSU Athletics Goes “Fanless”

This is a press release from College of the Redwoods:

CR Suspends All Spring Sports

In the continued effort to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and recommendations from state health officials, College of the Redwoods is taking the precautionary steps to suspend all spring sports at this time.

Although there are still no known cases of COVID-19 on any district campuses, and while Humboldt County has not seen community spread, it has occurred in nearby counties, and we have decided that the travel inherent to the sports season constitutes an unnecessary risk. We will continue to follow health guidelines and will provide updates to the student athletes through their coaching staff.

Updates provided by the CCCAA and our Golden Valley Conference Commissioner regarding eligibility status of student athlete participation will be distributed when they become available.

And Humboldt State University cancels all events expected to have over 150 participants until further. Sports will be played with empty bleachers:

HSU Guidelines on Large Events

Humboldt State University acknowledges its important role in the North Coast in bringing thought-leaders, visitors, artists, musicians, and entertainers to campus and the local community. In an effort to mitigate the possible spread of COVID-19, HSU continues to assess the impact of hosting large events on campus.

There is no one response that works for all events. HSU understands that each event is different.

HSU leadership, consistent with CSU guidelines and guidance from local health officials, continues to assess events and their relationship to HSU’s core mission. This ongoing assessment looks at event outcomes and whether postponement or other alternative modalities (such as virtual) can be used, participants’ ability to travel, participants’ relationship to high-risk areas or populations, local health standards, size of the event, fiscal and opportunity costs related to the event, and any other unique campus contexts that warrant consideration.

Subject to change, effective Saturday, March 14 until Friday, April 17 all on-campus large events (greater than 150 attendees) are suspended. Event planners will be asked to cancel, postpone, or use an alternative modality (virtual). Events after April 17 will continue to be assessed on a case-by-case basis, with additional information and campus decisions made as more information becomes available.

All HSU-sponsored athletic events are scheduled to continue. However, based on strong guidance from CCAA, events will now be “fan-less,” meaning there should be no fans at the events and only essential personnel are permitted for the event.

The campus continues to assess the most appropriate guidelines for smaller events, and will communicate new guidelines when available.

This is a difficult decision, but the University asks the community and event planners to support these efforts in trying to reduce the spread of COVID-19.