March 24, 2021
Tiger Athletic Supporters,
Thank you for your cooperation this spring as Hampden-Sydney Tiger athletes have resumed competition. Throughout the spring, our primary goal has been to give our student-athletes the best possible opportunity to complete their seasons, and we are grateful to the many Tiger fans who have been cheering on our athletic teams from home.
Given the governor’s current guidelines on spectators at outdoor athletic events, the College must again limit attendance at this Saturday’s home football game against Randolph-Macon. With the exception of approved visitors who have been provided tickets by the College – with the primary focus being the families of our players – alumni and friends wishing to support the Tigers on Saturday must watch the game from the comfort of home using our enhanced streaming capabilities. The College will not have an ABC permit, and tailgating will not be permitted anywhere on campus. In addition, campus will be closed on Saturday to visitors who do not have official parking passes or tickets to the game.
Like many of you, we look forward to a return to the electric atmosphere of traditional football Saturdays on the Hill. We know you are all eager to visit the Hill, and we appreciate your understanding that the no-visitor policy in place this academic year has been a critical part of maintaining the College’s priority operations during the pandemic, including in-person classroom instruction and admission activities.
As COVID case numbers decrease and vaccinations increase in our region and across the country, we are hopeful that we will be able to welcome the legions of Tiger faithful back to the Hill later this year.
Go Tigers!
Chad Eisele
Director of Athletics |
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February 12, 2021
To the Hampden-Sydney College Community,
Now more than a full month into our spring semester, I know I speak for our young men when I thank our faculty and staff for making it possible for us to continue offering on-campus, in-person instruction. And, all of us on campus are grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from our alumni and parents during this challenging time.
The spring semester has brought the start of our long-anticipated athletics season, with all of our teams having the opportunity for some level of intercollegiate competition. Earlier, in advance of our modified basketball and swimming season, we shared that the Old Dominion Athletic Conference had adopted a "no spectators" policy for indoor events. Even so, with our new enhanced live-streaming, we are pleased that many of you are watching and cheering on our Tigers.
Many of you have inquired about spectator policies for outdoor athletic competitions, and we are grateful for your passion for Tiger athletics. We also know you understand that our spectator policies are designed to give our student-athletes the best possible opportunity to compete this spring. Our fall and spring sports teams will soon begin competition, and we must adhere to both the current Virginia regulations that limit outdoor athletic events to no more than 250 spectators and our own College's "no visitors" policy. While these limitations are in place, the following guidelines will be in effect for our outdoor athletic venues:
Lewis C. Everett Stadium (Football)
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Each participating Hampden-Sydney athlete's family members (limited to two family members for football) may gain entry to Everett Stadium and be seated in designated seats in the stadium stands and bleachers at least 15 minutes before each contest. |
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If additional seating capacity remains available 15 minutes before the start of any contest, Hampden-Sydney students and employees will be allowed to enter on a first-come, first-served basis until the 250 spectator limit is reached. |
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All spectators must be masked, and individuals/family units must be socially distanced, including while entering and exiting the stadium. |
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Spectators will not be allowed to gather on the sidelines, track, or hills surrounding the field. |
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Tailgating will not be permitted anywhere on campus. |
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Spectators for visiting teams will not be allowed. |
All Other Outdoor Athletic Venues (Hellmuth-Gibson Field / Ty Cobb Ballpark - Wurdeman Stadium / H-SC Tennis Courts)
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Each participating Hampden-Sydney athlete's family members may gain entry to the venue and be seated in designated areas at least 15 minutes before each contest. |
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If additional capacity remains available 15 minutes before the start of any contest, Hampden-Sydney students and employees will be allowed to enter on a first-come, first-served basis until the 250 spectator limit is reached. |
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All spectators must be masked, and individuals/family units must be socially distanced, including while entering and exiting the venues. |
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Spectators will be allowed anywhere in those venues, except along the fence at Hellmuth-Gibson field. |
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Tailgating will not be permitted anywhere on campus. |
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Spectators for visiting teams will not be allowed. |
We understand that these limitations are disappointing, not only for our student-athletes, but also for our students, alumni, community members, and other faithful fans of Tiger athletics. However, these precautions give our student-athletes the best chance at playing their full seasons. They have trained and worked hard through the fall and winter in difficult circumstances, and their ability to compete this spring depends on the campus community following all necessary precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19. Our beloved traditions of tailgating, large gatherings, and packed stadiums risk undermining their efforts, and we must put those activities on hold right now. We hope you will take advantage of our live-streaming capabilities and cheer on the Tigers from the comfort of home. Should the Governor relax the 250 spectator limit, we will reconsider these guidelines and promptly notify you of any changes.
Roll Tigers!
Chad Eisele
Director of Athletics |
January 14, 2021
Dear Hampden-Sydney Community,
With the start of athletic competitions just over a week away, I am writing to update the Hampden-Sydney community on plans for spectators. Last week, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Board of Directors and Presidents Council voted to not allow any spectators at indoor ODAC events. You can read the conference release
here.
We know this is disappointing news for our Tiger basketball and swimming family and friends. To give you the opportunity to tune in from home and cheer on our student-athletes, we will be live streaming our home indoor athletic events.
No decisions have been made at this point regarding spectators at outdoor events. The College will make those decisions in accordance with state and local guidelines. While I am hopeful that we will be allowed to have limited, socially distanced attendance at outdoor athletic events, I must caution that the atmosphere is unlikely to look like a typical Tiger athletic event. Traditions like tailgating, large gatherings, packed stadiums, and team meals after games all risk undermining our community’s efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19, but we certainly look forward to resuming those activities when conditions allow—hopefully this fall. We do plan to live stream home outdoor athletic events at venues that are capable as well, and we hope many Tiger fans will cheer on the Garnet and Grey from the safety of home.
As we get closer to outdoor events, I will update the community on spectator guidelines.
ROLL TIGERS!
| Chad E. Eisele |
| Director of Athletics |
