Boise State says family members can attend basketball, gymnastics events moving forward
The cardboard cutouts inside ExtraMile Arena are about to get some company.
Boise State announced Monday it would allow a “limited number of immediate family members of Bronco student-athletes and coaches” to attend home events at ExtraMile Arena beginning this week.
“Family members will be required to test negative for COVID-19 prior to gaining entry,” the university said in a statement.
The women’s basketball team will be the first Boise State team to take advantage of the opportunity. The Broncos (8-5, 5-5 MW) host Nevada (8-7, 4-6) at 2 p.m. Friday and noon Sunday.
The gymnastics team (2-1, 1-1 MRGC) hosts Utah State at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Due to COVID-19 safety protocols, fans have not been allowed to attend winter sporting events at Boise State, although Boise State men’s basketball coach Leon Rice has said in recent weeks he’d like to see some fans in the arena if it could be done safely.
“I think that would be huge, because you’re starting to get to that point where this empty building probably is affecting you. You do need the fans,” Rice said last week in a Zoom call with local reporters. “And even, gosh, you watch the Utah State games with 1,600 fans, it makes a difference. And I think we need that now, and you know I’m praying that we can have fans.”
Boise-based Central District Health has an order in place that prohibits large gatherings such as concerts and sporting events. Gatherings of 50 or more people, both public and private, are also prohibited.
Last month, Idaho’s State Board of Education and the governor’s office created an exemption for high school sports, which allows schools to fill their gyms to 40% capacity or admit four fans per athlete, whichever is higher. Gov. Brad Little moved the state to Stage 3 of the Idaho Rebounds plan on Tuesday. Large venues with crowds of 50 or more will need approval for events from local public health districts.
A spokesperson for the governor’s office said it did not make recommendations on fan attendance at Boise State. The State Board of Education also has not taken action related to attendance at winter sports events at the college and university level, according to an ISBE spokesperson.
Idaho has experienced a significant decrease in the number of new COVID-19 cases. The state’s seven-day moving average stands at 479.6 cases per day, which is down nearly 71% from a peak of 1,650.3 cases per day on Dec. 10.
This story was originally published February 1, 2021 at 5:46 PM.
