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PROVO — BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake is firm that his focus remains on Army, the Cougars' second-straight road opponent they will face next Saturday in upstate New York.
But on the heels of that game is the Cougars' home opener against Troy, which will be played Sept. 26 in front of up to 6,000 fans, as announced earlier this week.
That plan, which would allow up to 1,500 fans in each of LaVell Edwards Stadium’s four grandstands will be amenable from week-to-week and could allow as many as 24,000 fans in the stadium in future games, the school clarified Friday.
"My understanding is that it’s 6,000 for this game, and who knows about the next game; it could increase in number," Sitake said. "I'm just really grateful that we get 6,000 fans in the stadium."
If the home opener against Troy is managed well and no outbreaks of the novel coronavirus occur, that number could rise toward its final goal of 24,000 fans — or 6,000 fans per section.
"BYU hopes to increase attendance game-by-game, after carefully monitoring for a safe and positive stadium experience," university officials wrote in a statement. "The university developed a comprehensive plan that divides LaVell Edwards Stadium into four separate sections to allow for greater distancing and minimizes contact between the total number of attendees. By carefully managing each section as a separate outdoor event, BYU hopes to eventually have up to 24,000 fans in the stadium (6,000 in each section)."
In response to questions about the university’s recent announcement regarding attendance at home football games, BYU has released the following clarification (see attached statement):#BYUFootball#GoCougspic.twitter.com/hCD9NJHHGp
— BYU Cougars PR (@BYUCougarsPR) September 11, 2020
BYU upgraded the stadium in 2019 to include terraces and steps at three entrances, which could help better provide safer distancing for fans as they enter and exit the stadium in one of four gates.
The 6,000 fans possible for the home opener represents 9.4% of LaVell Edwards Stadium. If the Cougars can run and maintain up to 24,000 fans, the stadium would be operating at 37.8% of the 63,470-seat capacity.
BYU linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi admits the numbers and stadium plan go well over his head of preparing the Cougars’ defense, which is coming off a 55-3 near-shutout at Navy and preparing for next week’s road tilt at fellow military academy Army.
The consensus in the locker room, though, is that the Cougars are happy to have some fans — any fans, really; BYU’s road season opener at Navy-Marine Corps. Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, was played in a near-empty stadium, with only a handful of Naval Academy staff and personnel, television crew members, and print media confined to the upstairs press box allowed inside.
"I’m sure there are a bunch of logistics behind the answer," said Kaufusi, who also said that players' families will be allowed to be among the crowd. "But we’re just excited to have fans. However many fans, it doesn’t matter to us."
The plan has been approved by the Utah Department of Health and local health precincts in Provo and Utah County. In similar plans approved by the Salt Lake County Health Department, Real Salt Lake is allowing up to 5,000 fans for each match at Rio Tinto Stadium, representing 24.7% of the stadium’s 20,213-seat capacity, a plan that began allowing fans into the stadium as early as July 11.
Of course, BYU’s plan requires those in attendance to maintain strict local and campus guidelines intended to stem the spread of COVID-19, including wearing masks and practicing strict physical distancing.
"We ask all those who attend to please follow state and BYU requirements, as this will play an important role in increasing attendance at future games," university officials said.
