The Indiana High School Athletic Association has barred fans from the Regional Basketball Tourney at all 16 sites across the state this weekend. It’s in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. In a news conference today IHSAA Commissioner Bobby Cox said only a very limited number of people will be let in to the gyms…
Immediate family is defined as parents, grandparents and siblings of players. Again only 75 people will be allowed in the gyms for the games not counting players.
The media with credentials will be allowed and WAMW is continuing to play to carry the games with the 3A at Washington on 107.9 fm and the 1-A at Loogootee on 95.6 and 101.3 fm.
Those who bought tickets can return them to the school where they were purchased for a refund.
Bobby Cox says currently the basketball Semi-State will be handled the same way. However, a final decision on what happens as the tournament continues will be made later depending on how the COVID-19 Pandemic progresses.
Also spectators from the State Gymnastics Finals are barred from attending at Ball State in Muncie.
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Here is the official announcement…
IHSAA State Tournaments to continue with Limited to No Spectators
Commissioner Bobby Cox announced today that the remaining games in the IHSAA boys basketball state
tournament will continue as scheduled but with limited spectators in attendance as Indiana seeks to prevent the
spread of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).
The IHSAA continues to monitor the impact of COV-19 around our state. Our primary focus has been and will
continue to be the health and safety of our students and supporters attending our events. Given the recent and
ongoing spread of the coronavirus and available information surrounding the pandemic, the IHSAA will
conclude all winter tournament series events as scheduled with limited to no spectators in attendance.
Individuals who are at higher risk for the disease as defined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) are
strongly encouraged to refrain from attendance. This includes older adults and people who have serious chronic
medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.
The Association acknowledges these are unprecedented measures and is sympathetic to the loyal fans of
education-based athletics in Indiana. Your understanding and support during these challenging times is
appreciated.
Using the Center for Disease Control’s guidance regarding large gatherings, the IHSAA will limit games/events
to approximately 250 individuals.
Boys Basketball Regionals
The boys basketball regional games are scheduled for Saturday (March 14) at 16 sites around the state. Semistates are Saturday, March 21 and the state finals are Saturday, March 28.
For the remaining games, each participating school will be allotted only 75 complimentary tickets aside from the
12 dressed players and to include only essential personnel, coaches, administrative staff and immediate family
of players.
We regret that non-varsity boys basketball participants, cheerleaders, dance teams, school mascots and pep
bands may not attend the games. This measure is to protect the health and safety of the student athletes, their
families and the public at large.
Anyone holding a regional ticket will be issued a full refund at the point of purchase. Individuals must present
the ticket(s) in order to receive a refund.
A very limited number of news media will be approved for covering the Saturday’s regional games. All print and
broadcast news media must request credentials via email through the IHSAA staff from a recognized business
account, not the host school. A final list of approved news media will be shared with each host school to allow
admittance on Saturday.
Regional games will continue to be streamed at IHSAAtv.org and its affiliates as well as previously approved
broadcast stations.
Guidelines for the boys semi-states and state championship games have yet to be determined and will be
announced at a later date.
An informational teleconference with host schools and 64 participating teams has been scheduled for today at
2 pm ET / 1 pm CT.
Gymnastics State Finals
The girls gymnastics state finals will be contested this Saturday (March 14) beginning at 1 pm ET at Worthen
Arena.
Due to the number of participants and essential workers, coaches, spotters, and medical personnel at the
gymnastics state finals, there will be no spectators allowed at the event and thus no tickets on sale at Worthen
Arena.
Anyone holding a state finals ticket will be issued a full refund at the point of purchase. Individuals must present
the ticket(s) in order to receive a refund.
Saturday’s events will continue to be streamed live at IHSAAtv.org and previously-received news media
credential requests will still be honored.
A teleconference with the participating teams is scheduled for today at 3:30 pm ET / 2:30 pm CT.
Additional information will be released as soon as possible.
IHSAA Official News Release o
