Fans or no fans? How Duke football will start its season amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Duke wants Wallace Wade Stadium filled with cardboard cutouts — not actual people — when the Blue Devils open their home football schedule on Sept. 19 against Boston College.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the school announced plans Monday morning for spectator-free athletic venues this fall and an option for fans to place cardboard cutouts of themselves in the stadiums.
In doing so, the school left the option open to allow spectators to attend if the public health situation improves.
“To be sure, our venues will not be the same without our passionate, energetic fan base,” Duke athletics director Kevin White said in a statement released by the school. “Given the unique and challenging circumstances, this determination was reached with the health and safety of our fans, student-athletes, coaches and staff at the forefront. As this evolving process continues, it is imperative to be both adaptable and compliant in anticipation of hosting fans in the near future.”
Duke has six home football games scheduled for the amended season, including five ACC games and an Oct. 31 nonconference contest with Charlotte. The Blue Devils are scheduled to open the season on Sept. 12 at Notre Dame.
Schedules for Duke’s fall Olympic sports, including men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball, have yet to be finalized. The ACC announced in July its fall Olympic sports seasons would start no earlier than Sept. 10.
Duke fans who wish to support their teams while still adhering to attendance constraints, can purchase cardboard cutouts of themselves, family members — or even their pets — to be placed in the stadiums. The school set up a website at www.goduke.com/DukeCutout with information. Prices start at $95 for the general public and $50 for students with discounts are available for purchasing multiple cutouts.
This story was originally published August 24, 2020 at 9:31 AM with the headline "Fans or no fans? How Duke football will start its season amid the coronavirus pandemic.."