ISU AD: “Fans will be allowed in the stands”

Illinois State Athletic Director Kyle Brennan spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller. (Photo courtesy: Susan Saunders/WJBC)

By Blake Haas

NORMAL – Things will look a little more normal at Illinois States’ Hancock stadium this year after the stadium was empty last year due to COVID-19.

ISU Athletic Director Kyle Brennan said as football returns to the fall, fans can now return to the tailgating lot and the stands.

“We are going to have games, and fans will be allowed in the stands; there won’t be distancing restrictions in the stands. Now, I say all this with a caveat, that you know (the) CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) can change things on us.”

Speaking with WJBC’s Scott Miller, Brennan said fans would not be required to wear a face-covering while in the 13,391 capacity stadium.

“Right now, that’s the plan. So things will be moving forward, you can go to a football game, outside, be there, sit in the stands without a mask, go to the tailgate (and) have a great time with your family; and come on in and enjoy a game. So football is going to look almost identical to what it used to look like for our folks who love to tailgate and come into the stands.”

ISU AD Kyle Brennan. (Photo courtesy: Illinois State University)

In March, Brock Spack’s Redbirds opted out of the remainder of the season to focus on the fall 11-game slate.

The Redbirds open their season at Hancock Stadium against Butler on Sept. 4.

The Redbird football games can be heard on the Redbirds Sports Network from Learfield IMG College on AM 1230, 102.1 FM WJBC and 93.7 FM.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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