(10-13-2020 06:50 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(10-13-2020 06:31 AM)dansplaining Wrote:  

(10-12-2020 07:32 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(10-12-2020 04:24 PM)TheWoodenNickle Wrote:  How solid is the decision to not allow any fans? MI high schools have been allowing 2 fans per participant and recently increased that based on gym/stadium size. It just seems silly that MAC schools can't allow 3-5K per game. We can easily social distance, with the only possible exception being the restrooms.

I don't disagree Nickle but this is a hill I don't want to die on. Midweek November games were never my favorite to begin with.

let the families in - the rest of us can watch at home from the comfort of our couches. ive got better food at home anyways.

I believe they want to allow players' families in, but based on a message we received from the program, the MAC is still trying to work out the details. It's my guess that each team will have some say in how they will manage families at the games, as each state has different rules and guidelines for gatherings. You need to consider that allowing fans goes well beyond managing where they sit in the stands. You need to manage ticket gates, which tend to get pretty congested. You need to maintain restrooms and make sure they are kept clean. Do you run concessions, and if so, how do you manage that in a COVID world? Security? First aid? Then consider all of that requires personnel. With the loss of the big out of conference games, MAC teams are already feeling a significant fiscal pinch. Managing the expenses of game days and all that leads up to them has to be top of mind for all the MAC programs.

Well stated. It might take almost as many personnel as fans (players' families) let in.

Curious what EMU is doing with the suites, etc.

"Crowd Noise:" If in the past a school piped in crowd noise they'd be laughed to death in the media and social media.

Now 2020 is different. "Crowd noise" is neat. We can live without fans, but harder to live without their "noise." Note all of the " I'm using.

I wish there was a way to have this "crowd noise" at MAC games. Ask the Lions if we can simulate a Lions' crowd of 65K...

I can hear Matt S.now: [EMU scored on a long TD pass and] "the crowd is so loud I can hardly hear the referee."

Three games' TV slots have been put on the website schedule:

Kent State: ESPN+
Ball State: CBS Sports Network
CMU: CBS Sports Network

(10-19-2020 01:27 PM)FrankAnderson Wrote:  Three games' TV slots have been put on the website schedule:

Kent State: ESPN+
Ball State: CBS Sports Network
CMU: CBS Sports Network

They also added/updated some times and dates:

Kent State: Wednesday, November 4th 6:00 PM
Ball State: Wednesday, November 11th 7:00 PM
Toledo: Wednesday, November 18th 7:00 PM (No TV info yet)
CMU: Friday, November 27th 4:00 PM

Does anyone know how the bow tie-ins will work this year since there are no win requirements? Namely, will bowls have to follow them or can they just pick any school they'd like?

For example, does a bowl like the Camellia Bowl have to stick to MAC and Sun Belt schools? Lets say Eastern has a solid year, goes 4-2, but doesn't get to the MAC title game. I think the Big Ten has something like 10 bowl tie-ins, so if Michigan State goes 2-7 and none of the big ten bowls want them, could the Camellia Bowl take them?

(10-19-2020 07:21 PM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  Does anyone know how the bow tie-ins will work this year since there are no win requirements? Namely, will bowls have to follow them or can they just pick any school they'd like?

For example, does a bowl like the Camellia Bowl have to stick to MAC and Sun Belt schools? Lets say Eastern has a solid year, goes 4-2, but doesn't get to the MAC title game. I think the Big Ten has something like 10 bowl tie-ins, so if Michigan State goes 2-7 and none of the big ten bowls want them, could the Camellia Bowl take them?

I don't know for sure, but I assume those tie-ins are contractual agreements. My guess is it wouldn't be as simple as the Camellia organizers saying, "Sorry, MAC, we're going with someone else this year. We'll see you next year." If the MAC had continued with the decision not to play this year, that would be a whole other issue, but with teams playing, I would think tie-in agreements would need to be honored.

Canceling the bowl would likely be easier, as COVID would likely fall under an "Act of God" clause. And the choice to allow teams with records below .500 would be an NCAA decision, so other than increasing the pool of available teams, wouldn't affect any contractual agreements between bowls and conferences.

Now it could make for some interesting matchups if the Camellia bowl were to honor their MAC Commitment and take a 6-1 MAC Champion EMU and then invite a 2-7 Michigan State as the opponent.

(10-20-2020 08:03 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(10-19-2020 07:21 PM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  Does anyone know how the bow tie-ins will work this year since there are no win requirements? Namely, will bowls have to follow them or can they just pick any school they'd like?

For example, does a bowl like the Camellia Bowl have to stick to MAC and Sun Belt schools? Lets say Eastern has a solid year, goes 4-2, but doesn't get to the MAC title game. I think the Big Ten has something like 10 bowl tie-ins, so if Michigan State goes 2-7 and none of the big ten bowls want them, could the Camellia Bowl take them?

I don't know for sure, but I assume those tie-ins are contractual agreements. My guess is it wouldn't be as simple as the Camellia organizers saying, "Sorry, MAC, we're going with someone else this year. We'll see you next year." If the MAC had continued with the decision not to play this year, that would be a whole other issue, but with teams playing, I would think tie-in agreements would need to be honored.

Canceling the bowl would likely be easier, as COVID would likely fall under an "Act of God" clause. And the choice to allow teams with records below .500 would be an NCAA decision, so other than increasing the pool of available teams, wouldn't affect any contractual agreements between bowls and conferences.

Now it could make for some interesting matchups if the Camellia bowl were to honor their MAC Commitment and take a 6-1 MAC Champion EMU and then invite a 2-7 Michigan State as the opponent.

I agree with your comments.

My quasi-legal view is that if SBC, C-USA, etc. play FB this fall (they are) and the MAC plays FB this fall (they will), then the contracts should remain in full force.

Some of the bowls are owned and operated by ESPN and they WANT the bowls to be played. Do remember there will be NO NBA in this December. (basically MBB + CFB this Dec.).

And it should be fun. SBC schools have beaten Iowa State and Kansas in an abbreviated OOC schedule. Coastal Caro. is nationally ranked.

The only problem I see is that these so called minor bowls are usually played i believe the 3rd Saturday weekend of December. However, conference championships are that weekend.

A good number of bowls would need to be shifted.

No fans.

Seriously, most games in November have few fans anyway. If they put a modest limit on attendance it might not be an issue since we don't get good crowds anyway.

(10-22-2020 01:45 PM)ljmhurons Wrote:  No fans.

Seriously, most games in November have few fans anyway. If they put a modest limit on attendance it might not be an issue since we don't get good crowds anyway.

I'm hearing that each player will receive 4 tickets.

(10-22-2020 03:59 PM)TheWoodenNickle Wrote:  

(10-22-2020 01:45 PM)ljmhurons Wrote:  No fans.

Seriously, most games in November have few fans anyway. If they put a modest limit on attendance it might not be an issue since we don't get good crowds anyway.

I'm hearing that each player will receive 4 tickets.

Is it no fans for every MAC school? Or just Michigan MAC schools? Thanks!

(10-22-2020 04:44 PM)EMUGLORYDAYSthe90s Wrote:  

(10-22-2020 03:59 PM)TheWoodenNickle Wrote:  

(10-22-2020 01:45 PM)ljmhurons Wrote:  No fans.

Seriously, most games in November have few fans anyway. If they put a modest limit on attendance it might not be an issue since we don't get good crowds anyway.

I'm hearing that each player will receive 4 tickets.

Is it no fans for every MAC school? Or just Michigan MAC schools? Thanks!

I heard the 4 ticket per player tidbit from the parent of another Michigan MAC player.

I am certainly pissed that I cannot attend weekday night games in November, NOT! I usually attended the first half of such contests and the weather sent me home at halftime to watch the remainder of the game on television. There is ZERO reason that a season ticket holder like me be allowed to attend games this year.

Parents, however, are another issue. Can you imagine Roback's parents watching Brogan getting his leg broken on television and not being there while living 30 minutes away? I say leave the number decision to the schools, but ONLY allow parents, grandparents, siblings and girlfriends. Nobody else has any business attending.

I think all the bowl games are sponsored by mortgage companies now. Now is a great time to RE-FI with rates at all time lows!

(10-22-2020 05:37 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  I am certainly pissed that I cannot attend weekday night games in November, NOT! I usually attended the first half of such contests and the weather sent me home at halftime to watch the remainder of the game on television. There is ZERO reason that a season ticket holder like me be allowed to attend games this year.

Parents, however, are another issue. Can you imagine Roback's parents watching Brogan getting his leg broken on television and not being there while living 30 minutes away? I say leave the number decision to the schools, but ONLY allow parents, grandparents, siblings and girlfriends. Nobody else has any business attending.

How many actual fans do we normally get at these games? November, midweek at night. It has to be in the few thousands. Social distancing is easy.

(10-24-2020 12:48 PM)ljmhurons Wrote:  

(10-22-2020 05:37 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  I am certainly pissed that I cannot attend weekday night games in November, NOT! I usually attended the first half of such contests and the weather sent me home at halftime to watch the remainder of the game on television. There is ZERO reason that a season ticket holder like me be allowed to attend games this year.

Parents, however, are another issue. Can you imagine Roback's parents watching Brogan getting his leg broken on television and not being there while living 30 minutes away? I say leave the number decision to the schools, but ONLY allow parents, grandparents, siblings and girlfriends. Nobody else has any business attending.

How many actual fans do we normally get at these games? November, midweek at night. It has to be in the few thousands. Social distancing is easy.

Actually I think you are being charitable, those November mid-week night games might have less than 1,000 fans in the second half. Allowing non-family fans, however, introduce other issues. The restrooms are heated and people tend to congregate there in an attempt to warm up at halftime. You also have to hire security personnel to enforce social distancing guidelines. At the end of the day, let the kids play in front of their loved ones and the rest of us can stay home.

(10-22-2020 05:37 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  I am certainly pissed that I cannot attend weekday night games in November, NOT! I usually attended the first half of such contests and the weather sent me home at halftime to watch the remainder of the game on television. There is ZERO reason that a season ticket holder like me be allowed to attend games this year.

Parents, however, are another issue. Can you imagine Roback's parents watching Brogan getting his leg broken on television and not being there while living 30 minutes away? I say leave the number decision to the schools, but ONLY allow parents, grandparents, siblings and girlfriends. Nobody else has any business attending.

The players already go to class... If your school is in session why not let the students go if they socially distance?

(10-26-2020 12:22 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  

(10-22-2020 05:37 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  I am certainly pissed that I cannot attend weekday night games in November, NOT! I usually attended the first half of such contests and the weather sent me home at halftime to watch the remainder of the game on television. There is ZERO reason that a season ticket holder like me be allowed to attend games this year.

Parents, however, are another issue. Can you imagine Roback's parents watching Brogan getting his leg broken on television and not being there while living 30 minutes away? I say leave the number decision to the schools, but ONLY allow parents, grandparents, siblings and girlfriends. Nobody else has any business attending.

The players already go to class... If your school is in session why not let the students go if they socially distance?

Because we are guided by science.

(10-26-2020 01:47 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(10-26-2020 12:22 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  

(10-22-2020 05:37 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  I am certainly pissed that I cannot attend weekday night games in November, NOT! I usually attended the first half of such contests and the weather sent me home at halftime to watch the remainder of the game on television. There is ZERO reason that a season ticket holder like me be allowed to attend games this year.

Parents, however, are another issue. Can you imagine Roback's parents watching Brogan getting his leg broken on television and not being there while living 30 minutes away? I say leave the number decision to the schools, but ONLY allow parents, grandparents, siblings and girlfriends. Nobody else has any business attending.

The players already go to class... If your school is in session why not let the students go if they socially distance?

Because we are guided by science.

I hope that we don't get this thread off track but we 'know' (believe to be true according to the science).

1). One might be 10 or 20 times safer out of doors than indoors because of the mechanism of how Covid is transmitted. This has to do with air refresh which is constant outdoors but is usually a problem indoors (unless windows are open or a good HEPA air purifier is used to 'clean' the air, etc.)

2). Folks might be confused by what masks do. Most people, I think, view exposure to Covid as 'binary' - exposed or not exposed. A better way of thinking is that Covid is all over BUT the idea is to reduce the amount of exposure to Covid which is what masks do. If one wears a masks and does have contact with someone with Covid their exposure is reduced and their chances of be asymptomatic is greatly improved. Conversely, those with high degrees of exposure, especially indoors, e.g., LTC facilities, health care facilities, group homes, jails, meat packing facilities, etc. are more likely to be expose persons to a HIGHER VIRAL LOAD.

That said, I see nothing wrong inviting 'family and friends' of the players for the FB games.

Basketball will be more problematic.

(10-26-2020 03:53 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(10-26-2020 01:47 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(10-26-2020 12:22 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  

(10-22-2020 05:37 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  I am certainly pissed that I cannot attend weekday night games in November, NOT! I usually attended the first half of such contests and the weather sent me home at halftime to watch the remainder of the game on television. There is ZERO reason that a season ticket holder like me be allowed to attend games this year.

Parents, however, are another issue. Can you imagine Roback's parents watching Brogan getting his leg broken on television and not being there while living 30 minutes away? I say leave the number decision to the schools, but ONLY allow parents, grandparents, siblings and girlfriends. Nobody else has any business attending.

The players already go to class... If your school is in session why not let the students go if they socially distance?

Because we are guided by science.

I hope that we don't get this thread off track but we 'know' (believe to be true according to the science).

1). One might be 10 or 20 times safer out of doors than indoors because of the mechanism of how Covid is transmitted. This has to do with air refresh which is constant outdoors but is usually a problem indoors (unless windows are open or a good HEPA air purifier is used to 'clean' the air, etc.)

2). Folks might be confused by what masks do. Most people, I think, view exposure to Covid as 'binary' - exposed or not exposed. A better way of thinking is that Covid is all over BUT the idea is to reduce the amount of exposure to Covid which is what masks do. If one wears a masks and does have contact with someone with Covid their exposure is reduced and their chances of be asymptomatic is greatly improved. Conversely, those with high degrees of exposure, especially indoors, e.g., LTC facilities, health care facilities, group homes, jails, meat packing facilities, etc. are more likely to be expose persons to a HIGHER VIRAL LOAD.

That said, I see nothing wrong inviting 'family and friends' of the players for the FB games.

Basketball will be more problematic.

i can't think of a dumber hill to die on than 'students need to be allowed to attend wednesday night EMU football games during a global pandemic'

(10-26-2020 06:29 AM)dansplaining Wrote:  

(10-26-2020 03:53 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(10-26-2020 01:47 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(10-26-2020 12:22 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  

(10-22-2020 05:37 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  I am certainly pissed that I cannot attend weekday night games in November, NOT! I usually attended the first half of such contests and the weather sent me home at halftime to watch the remainder of the game on television. There is ZERO reason that a season ticket holder like me be allowed to attend games this year.

Parents, however, are another issue. Can you imagine Roback's parents watching Brogan getting his leg broken on television and not being there while living 30 minutes away? I say leave the number decision to the schools, but ONLY allow parents, grandparents, siblings and girlfriends. Nobody else has any business attending.

The players already go to class... If your school is in session why not let the students go if they socially distance?

Because we are guided by science.

I hope that we don't get this thread off track but we 'know' (believe to be true according to the science).

1). One might be 10 or 20 times safer out of doors than indoors because of the mechanism of how Covid is transmitted. This has to do with air refresh which is constant outdoors but is usually a problem indoors (unless windows are open or a good HEPA air purifier is used to 'clean' the air, etc.)

2). Folks might be confused by what masks do. Most people, I think, view exposure to Covid as 'binary' - exposed or not exposed. A better way of thinking is that Covid is all over BUT the idea is to reduce the amount of exposure to Covid which is what masks do. If one wears a masks and does have contact with someone with Covid their exposure is reduced and their chances of be asymptomatic is greatly improved. Conversely, those with high degrees of exposure, especially indoors, e.g., LTC facilities, health care facilities, group homes, jails, meat packing facilities, etc. are more likely to be expose persons to a HIGHER VIRAL LOAD.

That said, I see nothing wrong inviting 'family and friends' of the players for the FB games.

Basketball will be more problematic.

i can't think of a dumber hill to die on than 'students need to be allowed to attend wednesday night EMU football games during a global pandemic'

I just think MAC teams should pump in some recorded crowd noise.

(10-26-2020 06:29 AM)dansplaining Wrote:  

(10-26-2020 03:53 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(10-26-2020 01:47 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(10-26-2020 12:22 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  

(10-22-2020 05:37 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  I am certainly pissed that I cannot attend weekday night games in November, NOT! I usually attended the first half of such contests and the weather sent me home at halftime to watch the remainder of the game on television. There is ZERO reason that a season ticket holder like me be allowed to attend games this year.

Parents, however, are another issue. Can you imagine Roback's parents watching Brogan getting his leg broken on television and not being there while living 30 minutes away? I say leave the number decision to the schools, but ONLY allow parents, grandparents, siblings and girlfriends. Nobody else has any business attending.

The players already go to class... If your school is in session why not let the students go if they socially distance?

Because we are guided by science.

I hope that we don't get this thread off track but we 'know' (believe to be true according to the science).

1). One might be 10 or 20 times safer out of doors than indoors because of the mechanism of how Covid is transmitted. This has to do with air refresh which is constant outdoors but is usually a problem indoors (unless windows are open or a good HEPA air purifier is used to 'clean' the air, etc.)

2). Folks might be confused by what masks do. Most people, I think, view exposure to Covid as 'binary' - exposed or not exposed. A better way of thinking is that Covid is all over BUT the idea is to reduce the amount of exposure to Covid which is what masks do. If one wears a masks and does have contact with someone with Covid their exposure is reduced and their chances of be asymptomatic is greatly improved. Conversely, those with high degrees of exposure, especially indoors, e.g., LTC facilities, health care facilities, group homes, jails, meat packing facilities, etc. are more likely to be expose persons to a HIGHER VIRAL LOAD.

That said, I see nothing wrong inviting 'family and friends' of the players for the FB games.

Basketball will be more problematic.

i can't think of a dumber hill to die on than 'students need to be allowed to attend wednesday night EMU football games during a global pandemic'

I'm not dying on any hill. I believe the virus is bad and re vamping up. But there is no easier place to socially distance than a giant stadium. If a thousand or so wanted to go, and they already share small inside rooms with eachother every day. I don't think the stadium would be a super spreader destination. If there was a body of people to be allowed after parents I would think students are next.