INDIANAPOLIS — Trying to predict how many fans will be allowed inside Indiana's college basketball arenas this season is about like trying to give an accurate weather forecast right now for next July 4th.
Purdue and Indiana University will begin the season without fans at Mackey Arena and Assembly Hall. Butler was planning on 2,275 fans at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse. That is no longer the case.
Capacity at Hinkle will be 1,500 when the Bulldogs open the 2020-21 season against Western Michigan, Wednesday at 6 p.m., Butler announced Monday.
The change, according to the university, was voluntary. “As the first game of the season approaches, we decided that this is a prudent step to take,” said Barry Collier, Butler Vice President and Director of Athletics. “Capping our fan capacity at roughly 15-percent for the season opener takes into account the trending COVID-19 numbers that we are seeing locally. We remain confident in our risk mitigation tactics we have in place and are ready to implement them beginning Wednesday night.”
Collier said the Marion County Department of Health continues to support the comprehensive health and safety plan Butler is implementing for a limited number of fans. Following the season opener, the school will consider increasing fan capacity to 2,000 for Sunday night’s home game against Eastern Illinois.
Fans are required to wear face coverings, there will be temperature checks when entering Hinkle, and specific entrances and exits will be used to limit congestion. Additional information is available at:
ButlerSports.com/GameDay [urldefense.com].
