Georgia plans for fan attendance. Greg McGarity understands a season isn’t certain
There’s a rowdy-yet-soothing ambiance around Sanford Stadium on football Saturdays. Every street around campus is filled with people. Yells of anticipation and enthusiasm echo around a boisterous stadium that seats nearly 93,000. Each weekend creates the memory — either a thrilling or devastating one — of experiencing a Bulldog game with thousands packed close together.
Georgia craves the return of normalcy and for those Saturday afternoons to be the signature attraction that Athens has made them to be. The year of 2020, as we all know, is one of pandemics and distancing. So the hopeful production of college football in the South will look different.
Georgia is developing a plan to have fans in the home stands this season, athletic director Greg McGarity said. There are a variety of guidelines set by the SEC, NCAA, CDC and state and local governments that must be followed. There’s not yet a specified number of fans to be allowed in the stadium, but social distancing and mask-wearing will be requirements.
“There are certain expectations that everyone coming to an SEC game should have,” McGarity said. “We have a great plan and have an army of individuals who are working on what that might be. Those who come to our game will feel as safe as possible. We want to do our best to create the best environment within the confines of Sanford Stadium.”
The SEC announced a scheduling model last Thursday for the 2020 season. Georgia will have a 10-game slate of conference games, beginning Sept. 26. The out-of-conference contests with Virginia, East Tennessee State, Louisiana-Monroe and the in-state rivalry against Georgia Tech were canceled. Four of Georgia’s 10 games will be at home, while five are on the road and the neutral-site game against Florida remains in Jacksonville.
A complete schedule of games, which is to be announced at a later date, allows Georgia’s administration to evaluate the potential for fan attendance. Of the numerous professional leagues in action, most have barred fans due to safety protocols. While these decisions are being made, however, an uncertainty still remains as to whether a season occurs at all.
Football players have been on campus for voluntary workouts since June 8, and mandatory workouts began in recent weeks. Basketball, soccer, volleyball and gymnastics athletes have also returned to campus. Georgia has chosen to not provide updates on positive COVID-19 cases among athletics, but The Telegraph has learned that each athlete did get tested. Nationally, 15 programs have announced suspensions of workouts due to rising virus cases. Some of those teams have since returned to action.
Georgia’s university health center reported 434 positive tests for the coronavirus since Aug. 3. The total includes university faculty, students and staff, and is a running tally since the outbreak began in early March. A New York Times report from July 29 mapped out positive cases at colleges across the country, and Georgia’s total (390 at the time) ranked third-highest nationally, behind UCF (438) and Texas (449).
It is unknown how many of Georgia’s positive tests are athletes, but the programs have worked in a bubble-like system since returning to campus.
“Every decision we’re making on the return to sport is based on safety, health and well-being (of the athlete),” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said on May 31, prior to voluntary workouts. He has not publicly addressed local reporters since. “There won’t be pressure. if a guy doesn’t feel comfortable, or if a guy has a fever or is sick, we don’t want him to come in. We don’t want them to put themselves in jeopardy.”
Georgia coaches and student-athletes have held virtual forums with parents, McGarity said, to discuss the curiosities and concerns around a football season.
“I have the utmost confidence in Kirby and his staff to keep my son as safe as can be during this season,” said Mark Webb Sr., father of the Bulldogs’ senior defensive back, to The Telegraph. “This virus is no joke, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. I’ve never experienced anything that bad in my life. My son is fine with it. All he wants to do is play football and I think all his teammates feel the same way.”
The SEC has allowed players to obtain their scholarships and a year of eligibility if opting out due to COVID-19 concerns. No Georgia players have chosen to skip out on a potential 2020 season, but numerous high-profile players around the sport will not play.
“SEC student-athletes have frequently expressed their desire to compete,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said in a July 17 statement. “It is important for student-athletes and their families to know the financial support committed to them by their institutions will not be at risk because of health concerns presented by the current pandemic.”
McGarity understands that the direction of a football season could change in a moment’s notice. The SEC’s schedule model allows for some relief financially, but it won’t be a sure thing until an opening kickoff.
“It’s a date we’re holding. We sure hope we can start then,” McGarity said. “It does put kind of a marker in the sand. We’re just hoping we can certainly do our part and that date does become a reality.”
Seven weeks remain until the first SEC football is supposed to fly through the air. Georgia is preparing as if it is happening, with the feel of a normal football Saturday.
There’s remaining uncertainty. Will the developing plans and protocol come to fruition?
“I think (a scheduling format) does close the door somewhat in format and the hope to play,” McGarity said. “Now, we have to activate the plans we’ve been working on for so long.”
New practice schedule
On Tuesday afternoon, the SEC announced a preseason football practice schedule. The first allowable practice is slated for Aug. 17. Up to 14 hours of strength and conditioning, meetings and walkthroughs can occur from Aug. 7-16. Starting Aug. 17, SEC schools are allowed 25 practices with a limit of 20 hours per week of practice time. A five-day acclimation period is required with two days in helmets only, two days in shells and full pads are permitted on the fifth day. Student-athletes are required to have two off days each week prior to the season’s scheduled start.
This story was originally published August 5, 2020 at 9:24 AM with the headline "Georgia plans for fan attendance. Greg McGarity understands a season isn’t certain."