INDIANAPOLIS – The Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) announced Friday (Feb. 5) that spectator attendance at all outdoor sporting events will be left up to the discretion of each member institution, following the league's Council of Presidents' (COP) meeting Monday afternoon. William Jewell College will permit limited spectators for select outdoor sports, within all applicable campus and county guidelines. 

Unlike the indoor sports of basketball and volleyball, which has limited attendance to essential personnel only at least through the month of February, each institution has the autonomy to determine their own spectator policy for outdoor sports this spring. It is expected, however, that spectators will be masked, socially distanced, and required to adhere to institutional policy and local health guidelines while at the facility.

Jewell softball will be the first outdoor sport to host an event on campus, with the opener scheduled for February 13. This game will be open to spectators, permitting all maintain masks and appropriate distance. There will be limited space available in the facility seating but fans are encouraged to utilize their own chairs and vehicles (right field only) to help ensure proper social distancing. Information regarding baseball, tennis, soccer, track and field and football will be announced at a later date. 

The difference in the spectator policy reflects information that shows the rate of COVID transmission is significantly lower for outdoor activities than it is for indoor activities.
 
The GLVC will make this information available on a landing page when each school approves its protocol related to outdoor spectators.