By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
The NBA and most major colleges still aren’t allowing spectators into basketball games.
Besides the players themselves, only student-athlete family members were allowed inside Bearcat Arena in Maryville for basketball games. The NCAA rule is four tickets per player.
Northwest Missouri State recently expanded that to allow for season-ticket holders to attend, starting Thursday, when the top-ranked Bearcat men’s basketball team (5-0) welcomes No. 5 Washburn (7-0) to town for a marquee MIAA conference matchup.
Northwest athletic director Andy Peterson says safety is still the main concern, but he’s glad to help enhance the student-athlete experience.
"Obviously with COVID, we've got to be as safe as we can and do everything to protect people and keep people safe," Peterson said. "It's big to get people in, and it being a high quality basketball game makes it that much better."
Northwest Missouri State will allow up to 400 fans in. The MIAA conference allows for maximum 25% capacity at sporting events, with most spectators being athlete family members and season-ticket holders.
Peterson says the University has taken every precaution they can to prepare for more spectators.
"We've blocked off every other row," he said. "We blocked off two seats on either side of the stairwells. Limited concessions, entry and exit points. We spread the benches out a little bit. Just trying to see where we had gaps and opportunities."
The Bearcats will also host Emporia State on Saturday.
Missouri Western also has a pair of home games this week - Emporia State Thursday and Washburn Saturday. The Griffons also have limited spectators at their games. Again, primarily family members and season-ticket holders.
MSWU Associate athletic director Brett Esely is encouraging more fans to look into season tickets, even if it's not a viable option for everyone.
"We've given people who aren't season ticket holders an opportunity to look into that," Esely said. "It's not an option that works out for everyone, obviously. It's hard to tell folks who want to come out that it doesn't work out right now, but it's kind of where we're at."
Peterson is certainly glad to have some fans back, but is even more grateful that the Bearcats can just play.
"We're fortunate to be able to play," Peterson said. "Our groups and entities that have allowed us to play basketball, the MIAA being a leader in that, is fortunate."
It's a big week for both the Griffons and Bearcats. Missouri Western ranks 22nd in the nation, and they sit third in the MIAA conference standings with a 6-1 record. Washburn is first in the league at 7-0, Norhtwest Missouri second (5-0) and Emporia State fourth (5-2).
With a couple of big tests on the docket, Griffon men’s basketball coach Will Martin said these games provide an opportunity for his team to prove that they belong in the upper echelon of a tough conference.
"This week right here is really going to stamp and decide whether we really do belong in the conversation of best in the conference,"Martin said.
So far, the Griffon men haven’t had to postpone or cancel any games due to COVID-19 issues. Martin commends his team for handling this challenging season responsibly.
"This year has been hard for everybody," Martin said emphatically. "When we get out on the court, there's a glimmer of hope. You forget about the pandemic for 40 minutes. You really do. Our guys, I can't tell you all enough how much sacrifice they're making so they can do that. I'm so proud of them."
Women's games
The Missouri Western women's basketball game against Emporia State scheduled for Thursday has been postponed due to COVID-19 protocols within the Hornet program. That game will be made up on Feb. 2. Griffon season-ticket holders are encouraged to hold on to their tickets for that date.
The Missouri Western women (2-5) have been idle for 19 days, last playing at Missouri Southern on Dec. 19.
Assistant coach Emily Whacker said the team had a closed scrimmage last week which has helped them stay loose.
"That allowed us to get our feet back under us and get back into a rhythm a little bit," Whacker said. "So, that was a good thing. We'll definitely be ready to go."
The Missouri Western women are back in action Saturday, along with the men, as they host Washburn. That doubleheader starts at 5:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Northwest Missouri State women's basketball team rescheduled its two postponed games from this week due to COVID-19 protocols.
Northwest will host Emporia State on Jan. 19 at 5:30 p.m. in Bearcat Arena. They'll also host Washburn on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 5:30.
The Bearcat women's next scheduled game is at Fort Hays State on Jan. 14.
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