No Shocker fans allowed in Koch Arena for home basketball games until at least 2021
Wichita State announced Thursday that fans won’t be allowed at home basketball games inside Koch Arena through Dec. 31, due to safety concerns with rising COVID-19 positivity rates in the Wichita area.
Only three men’s basketball games — Wednesday, Dec. 2 against Oral Roberts, Sunday, Dec. 6 against Missouri, and Saturday, Dec. 11 against Oklahoma State — are currently scheduled to be played in December.
Since no fans will be allowed at games, WSU is moving the Oklahoma State game, originally scheduled to be played at Intrust Bank Arena, to Koch Arena. This will not affect the rest of their agreement with OSU and WSU will still be able to host the Cowboys at Koch Arena in 2022.
“The hope is that this will allow our community to flatten the curve and drastically reduce the positive rates we are currently experiencing,” WSU’s press release read. “With basketball season beginning next week, we ask everyone to follow the recommendations of your local health authorities and the CDC so we can begin to host fans inside Charles Koch Arena after the order expires December 31, 2020.”
More games could be coming on Friday when the American Athletic Conference is expected to release its conference schedule. The Shockers open their season on Wednesday against Utah State in an 8:30 p.m. game broadcast on ESPN2 in the opening round of the Crossover Classic in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
The decision impacts the women’s basketball team more because all five of its currently scheduled games are at Koch Arena in November and December. The WSU women open their season next Friday against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Fans could be allowed back inside Koch Arena starting in January, but WSU stressed that will depend on how Wichita is handling the coronavirus pandemic in December.
At the end of the season, WSU said it will evaluate the number of games played with fans in attendance and present season ticket holders with financial options regarding tickets and SASO contribution.
Fans have the opportunity to purchase a 32-by-16-inch cutout of their face that will be featured inside Koch Arena for all home games. Each cutout will be returned at the end of the season as a keepsake. Each cutout is $125 for the lower bowl and $50 for a “non-guaranteed prime location.”
This story was originally published November 19, 2020 at 4:14 PM.
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