Beginning on Saturday October 3, 2020, Vanderbilt University will allow fans at sports events in October. Athletic Director Candice Lee announced the reversal from prohibiting fans to allowing fans. The University will also allow a limited number of students to attend the Saturday game with number 20 ranked LSU.
Lee called it a small step toward normalcy based on the guidance from the university’s public health partners. Vanderbilt students are tested weekly with strict protocols on campus. The result is a low COVID-19 positivity rate.
Vanderbilt plans to ensure physical distancing, with masks required and concession stands closed to limit movement. Seniors will be given the first opportunity to attend, and decisions about future student attendance will be made after this first game.
Chancellor Daniel Diermeier says sports is an important way for the campus community to connect.
Vanderbilt had its first game this past Saturday at Texas A&M and suffered a 17-12 loss. In a surprise upset, unranked Mississippi State defeated highly favored, defending National Champions, and ranked number 6 LSU 44-34. Mississippi State moved into the rankings at number 16 and LSU fell all the way back to number 20.
Hopefully, Vanderbilt is sitting a precedence, that other SEC teams will be able to follow the remainder of this season.
