- Oct 5, 2017
- 2,315
- 6,301
Before I get into it, this is not a debate about whether or not Covid restrictions should/shouldn't happen, whether this season should be cancelled, or any of that. This is my perspective based on actually attending a post-Covid outbreak sporting event and lessons I believe that can be taken when it comes to college football and some ideas for Gators attendance based on this experience.
Last night I went to the Orlando City-Nashville MLS match. One of the very, very few sporting events since March that has allowed spectators. It was a good event and both teams actually decided to play (and that's as far as I'll go on that). Entering the stadium they did temperature checks, which is about all they could do since there really isn't an instant Covid check. Sitting in the stands, which were pretty empty (insert MLS Wednesday night game on a school night no less joke here), but my section was "full" based on how they decided to do seating. This is also live sports for the first time in months that people can attend so there's that. Essentially, in rows of 18-20 seats in my section, they had staggered blocks of two seats on the left hand side of the section and staggered 4-6 seat blocks on the right side. There seemed to be plenty of gaps that could be filled within the section. There is no question in my mind I felt safe. Granted, I do think assumption of the risk is something no one wants to talk about when it comes to sporting event attendance. People are adults, let them make decisions and live with consequences (I really hope that general statement that applies in many ways in life sans Covid isn't taken as political because of where we are). I don't see how a UF home football game couldn't take from Orlando City's strategy and possibly do it on a grander scale (and with some larger groups).
For game one, OCSC gave a very cautious, measured approach with fans that I think could see a decent increase in attendance while maintaining the safe feeling of distancing. When I hear that some schools are doing 25% or less and I think of my experience last night, I honestly believe that number could be higher while balancing CDC guidelines and maintaining peace of mind for attendees. There's a home game next Saturday and if I remember, I'll get a picture for demonstrative purposes. I'm not sure what the answer is, but I've seen the tip of the iceberg and I believe the flood of attendance could come as leagues continue to slowly dip their toes ahead of the college football season. Perhaps the attendance doesn't change during the season, maybe it does. My point here is that I have seen it and seen it work well, while having room to be innovated on. I do believe with the right engineering, UF could do as high as 40,000 fans. I might over-estimating, but maybe not.
Unlike Exploria Stadium (btw, to my friend who works for Exploria, hung out with the CEO, and didn't get me into the box...you get a wink, nod, and side-eye) UF has some natural barriers other than simply walkways in between sections. Example being the North Endzone, you could definitely spread the band out over two sections, place a decent amount of people, but with spacing in each section and the tiered system gives you 3 levels that help separate people. Or look and the South Endzone with not only two tiers, but a bit of space between the upper and lower parts of the upper tier. As well as the corner walls in the four corners of the sideline seats.
Ideas in case anyone from the athletic department somehow reads here. Put a whole lot of parties of two where ever there are chair backs seats. With the small parties, it will be easier to maximize efficiency and distance with these seats. Give the benches to larger parties, where you give them a little bit more room, but gives them a little more space to be spread. For those who know BHG, the bench seats and their size are not compatible with the size of most people today. This would allow the larger parties to spread out a little. If that cannot be done, I know discussions have been had about adding chairbacks all around, but of course this cuts down on seating. If there was ever a time to start this project, do so now. Not hurting anything if you limit the fans so much.
Cards on the table though, I have felt safe most places I've gone since Covid. I have attended both Universal Parks and all four Disney parks multiple times each. I have been to Discovery Cove. I've seen measures taken and Orlando City felt the same way with the sporting event. I think UF should look at these large (but limited) capacity venues and take notes on what is and isn't working. Such as the restrictions that Disney put on passholders that UO did not and how much that has cost them in both money and goodwill. The season ticket holders (who pay booster fees, etc.) are the stand ins for passholders here. Obviously, some will not attend and wish to risk health and gladly step away, meanwhile, you risk losing a lot if you do this wrong by the season ticket holders who do not choose to take the season off. Some have pointed out already that they can essentially be a season ticket holder for a lot less by scalping tickets each week. It will be interesting what UF's plan looks like. Do it right, and your back in business, do it wrong, and you might take a financial hit that lasts longer than Covid. I've seen what this could be, now time for UF to do what the University of Florida does best, Improvise, Improve, Adapt, and Overcome; be the leaders and change the game (think Gatorade).
Go Gators!
Last night I went to the Orlando City-Nashville MLS match. One of the very, very few sporting events since March that has allowed spectators. It was a good event and both teams actually decided to play (and that's as far as I'll go on that). Entering the stadium they did temperature checks, which is about all they could do since there really isn't an instant Covid check. Sitting in the stands, which were pretty empty (insert MLS Wednesday night game on a school night no less joke here), but my section was "full" based on how they decided to do seating. This is also live sports for the first time in months that people can attend so there's that. Essentially, in rows of 18-20 seats in my section, they had staggered blocks of two seats on the left hand side of the section and staggered 4-6 seat blocks on the right side. There seemed to be plenty of gaps that could be filled within the section. There is no question in my mind I felt safe. Granted, I do think assumption of the risk is something no one wants to talk about when it comes to sporting event attendance. People are adults, let them make decisions and live with consequences (I really hope that general statement that applies in many ways in life sans Covid isn't taken as political because of where we are). I don't see how a UF home football game couldn't take from Orlando City's strategy and possibly do it on a grander scale (and with some larger groups).
For game one, OCSC gave a very cautious, measured approach with fans that I think could see a decent increase in attendance while maintaining the safe feeling of distancing. When I hear that some schools are doing 25% or less and I think of my experience last night, I honestly believe that number could be higher while balancing CDC guidelines and maintaining peace of mind for attendees. There's a home game next Saturday and if I remember, I'll get a picture for demonstrative purposes. I'm not sure what the answer is, but I've seen the tip of the iceberg and I believe the flood of attendance could come as leagues continue to slowly dip their toes ahead of the college football season. Perhaps the attendance doesn't change during the season, maybe it does. My point here is that I have seen it and seen it work well, while having room to be innovated on. I do believe with the right engineering, UF could do as high as 40,000 fans. I might over-estimating, but maybe not.
Unlike Exploria Stadium (btw, to my friend who works for Exploria, hung out with the CEO, and didn't get me into the box...you get a wink, nod, and side-eye) UF has some natural barriers other than simply walkways in between sections. Example being the North Endzone, you could definitely spread the band out over two sections, place a decent amount of people, but with spacing in each section and the tiered system gives you 3 levels that help separate people. Or look and the South Endzone with not only two tiers, but a bit of space between the upper and lower parts of the upper tier. As well as the corner walls in the four corners of the sideline seats.
Ideas in case anyone from the athletic department somehow reads here. Put a whole lot of parties of two where ever there are chair backs seats. With the small parties, it will be easier to maximize efficiency and distance with these seats. Give the benches to larger parties, where you give them a little bit more room, but gives them a little more space to be spread. For those who know BHG, the bench seats and their size are not compatible with the size of most people today. This would allow the larger parties to spread out a little. If that cannot be done, I know discussions have been had about adding chairbacks all around, but of course this cuts down on seating. If there was ever a time to start this project, do so now. Not hurting anything if you limit the fans so much.
Cards on the table though, I have felt safe most places I've gone since Covid. I have attended both Universal Parks and all four Disney parks multiple times each. I have been to Discovery Cove. I've seen measures taken and Orlando City felt the same way with the sporting event. I think UF should look at these large (but limited) capacity venues and take notes on what is and isn't working. Such as the restrictions that Disney put on passholders that UO did not and how much that has cost them in both money and goodwill. The season ticket holders (who pay booster fees, etc.) are the stand ins for passholders here. Obviously, some will not attend and wish to risk health and gladly step away, meanwhile, you risk losing a lot if you do this wrong by the season ticket holders who do not choose to take the season off. Some have pointed out already that they can essentially be a season ticket holder for a lot less by scalping tickets each week. It will be interesting what UF's plan looks like. Do it right, and your back in business, do it wrong, and you might take a financial hit that lasts longer than Covid. I've seen what this could be, now time for UF to do what the University of Florida does best, Improvise, Improve, Adapt, and Overcome; be the leaders and change the game (think Gatorade).
Go Gators!