Limited attendance at UIL boys basketball state tourney due to coronavirus concerns
The UIL has since announced it has suspended the rest of the state tournament.
Amid growing concerns over COVID-19 (coronavirus), the UIL boys basketball state tournament will take place Thursday through Saturday at the Alamodome with a limited number of fans in attendance.
Saturday’s championship games will be limited to 500 tickets per school.
“The health and safety of our student-athletes and patrons is our number one priority,” UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt said in a press release.
The UIL is also working closely with the Alamodome to ensure appropriate preventative measures are being taken. The NBA announced on Wednesday that it suspended its season.
A number of college basketball conference tournaments have also announced attendance changes. It also includes the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
“While we are saddened to limit the fans that can be inside the arena supporting their teams, it is crucial we take every possible precaution to keep participants safe,” Breithaupt said.
The facility has put several safeguards in place including anti-bacterial sanitizing stations and enhanced cleaning and sanitation initiatives before and during the tournament in locker rooms and throughout high traffic areas, as well as wiping down seats between sessions.
“The Alamodome, in cooperation with the Bexar County Office of Emergency Management, continues to make the safety of our guests our utmost priority. We will remain vigilant regarding all COVID-19 developments. We again look forward to hosting the UIL State Girls and Boys Basketball Tournaments and wish all of the teams safe travels and the best of luck,” said Alamodome general manager Steve Zito.
As this is a fluid situation, the UIL will continue to follow the direction of local officials to monitor this situation and will make additional announcements as needed.
The first games will begin at 8:30 a.m. while the final games start at 8:30 p.m. during all three days. Nine teams from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex have qualified: Duncanville, Wylie, Lancaster, Timberview, Faith Family, Argyle, Madison, Peaster and Slidell.
The UIL is releasing the following daily procedures for limited attendance:
Thursday, March 12:
Normal schedule and entry for pre-purchased ticket holders with no additional tickets sold except for a limited number of championship game tickets for the winning teams on-site at the box office immediately following the semifinal games. Championship game tickets will be limited to 500 per school.
Friday, March 13:
Normal schedule and entry for pre-purchased ticket holders with no additional tickets sold except for a limited number of championship game tickets for the winning teams on-site at the box office immediately following the semifinal games. Championship game tickets will be limited to 500 per school.
Saturday, March 14:
Each school will be allotted 500 tickets to be sold following semifinal games and until the limit is reached. All-Tournament tickets will no longer be accepted on Saturday. Previously scheduled honor team presentations will no longer take place.
This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 9:16 AM.
