SPRINGFIELD, Mo.- Outdoor competitions hosted by Drury University athletics will be allowed to have spectators this spring.
 
The Great Lakes Valley Conference announced last week that spectator attendance at all outdoor sporting events will be left to the discretion of each member institution. 
 
Unlike the indoor sports of basketball and volleyball, which has limited attendance to essential personnel only at least through the month of February, each institution has the autonomy to determine its own spectator policy for outdoor sports this spring. The difference in the spectator policy reflects information that shows the rate of COVID-19 transmission is significantly lower for outdoor activities than it is for indoor activities.
 
Drury University officials made the decision to allow spectators at outdoor competitions this spring. Spectators must be masked, socially distanced, and required to adhere to institutional policy and health guidelines at each outdoor facility. This policy applies to men's and women's soccer, baseball, softball, and men's and women's tennis. Sport and facility-specific guidelines can be found below:
 
Men's & Women's Tennis:

• Spectators must be masked and socially distanced for outdoor tennis matches
• Spectators will not be permitted for indoor tennis matches
• Cooper Tennis Complex requires temperature checks before individuals may enter the facility. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 or higher will not be admitted and may not re-enter the facility for 24 hours.
• Admission is free for all regular season home Drury matches

 
Baseball:

• Spectators must be masked and socially distanced
• U.S Ballpark requires temperature checks before individuals may enter the facility
• Admission to all regular season home Drury games will be $5. U.S Baseball Park will only take cash at the gate, no credit or debit cards for ticket purchases.

 
Softball:

• Spectators must be masked and socially distanced
• Admission is free for all regular season home Drury games, excluding the Drury Invitational Tournament

 
Men's & Women's Soccer:

• Spectators must be masked and socially distanced
• Admission is free to all regular season home Drury games for the Spring 2021 season

 
Drury's first outdoor event is Feb. 26, when the Panthers softball team hosts Upper Iowa at noon, then Midwestern State at 4 pm at Thompson Field. Later that evening, Drury hosts William Jewell in soccer at Harrison Stadium with the women's game scheduled for 5 pm and the men's contest at 7:30 pm.