Community Update: Football in the Springs

Good news! There’s going to be football in The Springs this weekend! And while this means a move back towards something “normal” here is what the game doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean we can stop wearing masks. You must wear masks at the game! It doesn’t mean we don’t have to keep a safe, social distance…we have to keep our distance. A small step forward is great news, but we have to keep our guard up….or a spike will force us back to more quarantine and isolation.

So, Mask Up and ‘Sko Dawgs!

Changes

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has updated the Executive Order and several changes will take effect starting today.

• Governor Cooper has ended the statewide curfew effective at 5:00PM today.
• “Outdoor” spaces and venues may now operate at 30% capacity. This would allow 2,700 fans in Spangler Stadium.
• John Henry Moss Baseball Stadium has a maximum capacity of 500 so 30% of that would permit 150 fans.
• Brinkley Softball Stadium has a seated capacity of 300 so 30% of that would permit 100 fans.
• The LYCC (indoors arena) will now permit 250 fans.
• Indoor meeting limits have been raised from 10 to 25. For a list of rooms and associated capacity, contact Brian Arnold [email protected]

Please note that even with this week’s changes, all social distancing and face covering rules remain the same.

Football Saturday In The Springs

Gardner-Webb football will begin the Tre Lamb era this Saturday at home in Spangler Stadium vs. Elon! In keeping with the updated Executive Order, the seating will be 30 percent capacity, allowing a maximum of 2,700 fans to attend the spring opener.

Opening kickoff is set for 3:00 pm.

General admission tickets will be on sale at the stadium for $20 Saturday. Faculty and staff tickets will be available for purchase at a discounted $10 price and all-non Gardner-Webb students and youth can buy a ticket for $5.

Gardner-Webb students will be admitted free of charge.

All fans are expected to wear masks and practice safe distancing measures while in the stadium. Tailgating will be allowed in designated areas outside the stadium before the game, with those same safety precautions expected of all attendees.

In addition to fixed seating on each side of the field, the grassy banks around the stadium will be available to allow for safe distancing among fans.

Limited concessions and GWU merchandise will also be available for sale.

For more information, or to purchase tickets call Gardner-Webb athletics at (704) 406-4340.

’Sko Dawgs!

Current Data

As of today, February 26, Gardner-Webb has two positive cases of COVID-19 among residential undergraduate students in isolation on campus. We have one residential undergraduate student who has tested positive and is in isolation at home. We have three residential undergraduate students in quarantine on campus and two residential undergraduate students in quarantine at home.  

There is one commuter/graduate student with COVID-19 in isolation at home and there are only two in quarantine at home.

Students with questions regarding classroom attendance or other student support while in isolation or quarantine should contact Dean of Students, Lesley Villarose, at [email protected]. This includes students who might need access to a desktop computer or laptop.

Among our faculty there is one positive case of COVID-19 in isolation.  We have two staff members positive with COVID-19 in isolation at home. We have nine faculty/staff members in quarantine at home.

It is very important to remember that if you have symptoms you must report them immediately.  Do NOT come to campus or go to class or work with symptoms.

Remember that all employees are allowed a maximum of 10 days of paid leave if they are confirmed to have COVID-19 or are required to quarantine or isolate due to contact tracing or while awaiting test results.

Commencement

A decision will be made next Monday, March 1 on whether the May 2021 Commencement events will return to a traditional in-person format or if, instead, virtual ceremonies will continue. This decision will be based on the recently updated Governor’s Executive Order in North Carolina regarding indoor and outdoor events.

Stay healthy and mask on, Bulldogs!