The Ohio State slogan for the 2020 football season is as ironic as it is.
“Every is a houseArray”
The Buckeyes nevertheless start their season on Saturday opposing Nebraska and, in fact, it will be a home game, but enthusiasts can’t attend because of the pandemic. Big Ten decided when the football season resumed for the last time. month, do not allow enthusiasts.
It’s not just about viewers not being inside Ohio Stadium, taconeo is also prohibited and enthusiasts are invited to watch games at home than in giant gatherings.
Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith said some of the school’s academics coined the slogan “Every game is a home game,” and the program followed.
“We are involved in the big gatherings and viewing parties and heels that other people will do,” Smith said. “Just be smart. Watch the game with other people you know, other people you know are negative (according to COVID-19). Don’t believe those wonderful super spreaders. “
Within horseshoe, it will be an exclusive experience. The Big Ten has dictated that music bands are allowed, so no Ohio situation or part-time display will be played. There won’t be porrists either. The “skull session” of the group inside St. Arena, John’s a victim too.
The environment will be surreal for the few people inside the Horseshoe.
“That’s a smart word, ” Smith. Va it strange not to have enthusiasts there. “
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He estimates that about 1,600 more people will be inside the stadium. Each player can invite 4 members of the family circle to participate, and they will be socially est distanced to Deck, the closest point to the field. The other participants are the game’s operations, other people, the Fox TV team and an incredibly small amount of media. Photographers will be in A Deck and not in the field. The only other presence will be the cuts purchased through the fans.
“It’s going to be strange, ” Smith. No I know how else to describe it. “
The channeled noise of the crowd will prevent the stadium from being quieter. According to Big Ten guidelines, the popular point will be 70 decibels, about the sound of a washing device or dishwasher. rise to 85 decibels: the sound of a lawnmower.
As strong as it is, it probably wouldn’t be the same without the fans. Ohio State coach Ryan Day knows his team may not have a typical edge on the field.
“We definitely communicate about bringing our own energy,” Day said. “We make sure to communicate about it. I think it’s important. I don’t think you can just not communicate about it, because it’s real. We’re so used to be in a house game with a crowd all your life, and we don’t have that.
Day said he had told his players to believe in the enthusiasts who applauded at home and were just as passionate about the Buckeyes, even if they weren’t in the stadium.
Even the pre-match regime for players will be different, they will not stay at the Blackwell Inn on Friday as usual, but will meet Saturday morning at Woody Hayes Athletic Center and put on part of their uniform before being taken to the stadium. Stadium.
Dr. Jim Borchers is the doctor on the OSU team who, as a member of the Back to the Big Ten Competition Working Group, played a key role in persuading the convention to restore the season. He believes that the protocols of the Big Ten will be effective in ensuring that the protection of Saturday participants.
“I don’t think there’s a threat to players, coaches or staff,” Borchers said. “You’re talking about a huge environment where the few people who will be there are absolutely away from the team and have no access to reach players, staff and coaches.
Borchers of ohio had worked hard with the Ohio and Franklin County fitness departments.
“I know they’ve done everything they can to secure the safest environment imaginable for home games this season,” he said.
This will require sacrifices even for the parents of the players, whose perseverance has helped keep hope alive for a season. They will not be able to kiss their children once the players have left the locker room after the match.
“An unfortunate component of this is that there is a threat to parents and members of the family circle,” Borchers said. “In fact, it has been discussed with our players. It’s going to be hard. They’ll have to be masked and socially”. far from those who come to watch them play.
“It will be a sacrifice for parents and players. But I think they recognize that it’s the sacrifice that’s going to have to be made to give them the most productive chance of being able to finish this season.
As complicated as the sacrifices are, Smith said they valued it because the ultimate purpose of having a season has been achieved, although all the contests that make Saturdays in Horseshoe an occasion and not just a game will be absent.
“All those things are gone, ” said Smith. ” It’s hard. But for me, it’s a possibility for players to play. That’s what mattered most to me. “