‘Football is very important to this state:’ McMaster backs playing fall sports in 2020
Gov. Henry McMaster voiced his support again Thursday for having high school and college sports played in South Carolina this fall.
McMaster was asked about the topic as he made a stop at Wateree Elementary School in Lugoff, the second leg of his school district tour to announce the state’s $10 million in spending on personal protective equipment for schools.
“I’m in favor of football to happen. I’m in favor of all athletics to the extent that we can do it. And we have provided a mechanism for that,” McMaster said. “My last executive order, the most recent one, allowed the applicants that want to have an event or a football game (to) send their plan to the Department of Commerce, where it would be examined according to all the guidelines, if they have more than 250 people.”
McMaster said last week announced that he is limiting stadiums, theaters and other venues to 250 people or 50% of the posted occupancy, whichever is less, during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Exceptions can be made but only through an approval process. Masks or face coverings are required as part of attending these larger events, according to the executive order.
The universities of South Carolina and Clemson both are planning to have 2020 seasons as the Southeastern and Atlantic Coast conferences reiterated this week their approach to have fall sports despite the Big Ten and Pac-12 announcing decisions to postpone.
Both USC and Clemson also have said they want to have a limited number of fans in the stands this season, with safety and social distancing rules in place. As of Thursday afternoon, the S.C. Department of Commerce said it hasn’t received event exemption applications from USC or Clemson.
Gamecocks athletic director Ray Tanner said this week in a radio interview with 107.5 The Game that he was hopeful for 20,000 fans per game.
“I’m confident with the universities, [the] talent that we have in those institutions, that they can produce a plan that will work,” McMaster said. “Yes, athletics, football is very important to this state. It’s very important to the athletes and their families. It’s important to the institutions. And all of us love good competition like that.”
South Carolina High School League commissioner Jerome Singleton said the league wants to allow fans to attend games this fall. The league’s executive committee passed a proposal last week to to move the start of football practice to Sept. 8, three weeks later than previously planned. The first football games can be Sept. 25.
Members of the state’s private school league, the S.C. Independent Schools Association, are planning for their first football game on Aug. 28.
Singleton said a task force met Tuesday to discuss the matter and planned to meet again either Friday or Monday before submitting a spectators plan to the Department of Commerce.
“We want to set a baseline or threshold,” Singleton told The State on Thursday. “The district could always do more or be less restrictive. We know people want to be there and know it could be a risk, but no more than if they are out at a mall or grocery store.”
