CCU can have spectators at its football games. See the capacity and the school’s plans
Coastal Carolina will be able to host up to 5,000 attendees at its home football games in the 2020 season, according to the school and the South Carolina Department of Commerce’s website.
That is approximately 25 percent of Brooks Stadium’s attendance capacity, but the 5,000 cap includes more than just spectators. It is the total amount of people allowed in the stadium and includes teams, coaching staffs, game day staff, game day operations, working media, band, cheerleaders and spirit teams, volunteers, and spectators.
The Chanticleers’ home opener is at 7 p.m. Friday Sept. 18 against Campbell.
An executive order by S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster aimed at combating the spread of the coronavirus requires approval by the state commerce department for any event with more than 250 people. The department considers requests in consultation with the S.C. Dept. of Health and Environmental Control.
According to CCU and the commerce department’s website, Coastal’s request has been approved for an expected attendance between 1,000-5,000., and the university has vowed to have in place or require: masks; social distancing; plans for transportation, one-way traffic flow and the elimination of lines; hand sanitizer stations; posted signs; touchless payment; staff to respond to COVID-19 concerns; and a cleaning schedule.
Coastal released information Monday morning on how game days in 2020 will be implemented.
Based on six feet of social distance, fans will be seated in pods of two and four affiliated guests throughout the stadium with distancing between pods. Fans will be asked to wear face coverings at all times with the exception of when eating or drinking. Concessions will be open with pre-packaged food and beverage items for sale.
Parking lots will open two hours before the announced kickoff times and close one hour after the game. Shuttles from parking lots will have reduced capacities and protective sneeze guards have been installed around the driver and between each row of seating.
Tailgating will be allowed at an individual’s discretion but it will be minimized. Tents and other items that encourage large groups are prohibited. Tailgating must be maintained within the individual parking space area and cannot be located in or around public green spaces, such as where students normally congregate. No tailgating will be allowed once the game starts or after the game.
Chanticleer Athletic Foundation seating in the West Zone and loge boxes will feature a blended model that provides social distancing in the stands and space for CAF donors inside the West Zone Suite.
Digital ticketing or tickets printed in advance are encouraged. Paper tickets can be obtained by emailing tickets@coastal.edu with your name. Call 843-347-8499 or go to www.GoCCUsports.com for information on season tickets. CCU will be reaching out to donors and season ticket holders with more specific details on ticketing, premium seating and parking.
Coastal begins the season next Saturday at Kansas. The game has a 10 p.m. (Eastern) kickoff and will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1. CCU’s game against Campbell will be broadcast online on ESPN3.
The state is allowing Clemson to have 19,000 fans at its games, or roughly 23 percent of capacity at Memorial Stadium, while South Carolina can have 20,000 spectators, which is nearly 25 percent of seating capacity at Williams-Brice Stadium.
The state approval includes other fall sports at CCU. In addition to football, the capacity for volleyball contests inside the HTC Center and soccer matches at CCU Soccer Stadium will be limited to 150 spectators. Face coverings will be required for all fans and social distancing will be enforced throughout the venues.
CCU’S REVISED SCHEDULE
Sept. 12 at Kansas, 10 p.m.
Sept. 18 vs. Campbell, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 vs. Arkansas State
Oct. 17 at Louisiana
Oct. 24 vs. Georgia Southern
Oct. 29 at Georgia State
Nov. 7 vs. South Alabama
Nov. 14 at Troy
Nov. 21 vs. Appalachian State
Nov. 28 at Texas State
Dec. 5 vs. Liberty
This story was originally published September 4, 2020 at 5:09 PM.
