Pollard Letter: Nov. 2 Updates

November 2, 2020

Dear Cyclone fans,

It was a memorable weekend in Kansas for the Iowa State football and cross country teams.

Our football team moved into a tie for first in the Big 12 and climbed to 17^th in the polls with a convincing win. The women's cross country team captured its eighth Big 12 championship in the past 10 years and the men's team tied for the team title (although Oklahoma State won the tie breaker). Additionally, Wesley Kiptoo and Cailie Logue won the individual championships. Congratulations to all of our student-athletes on an outstanding weekend.

As we look forward to Saturday's home football game vs. Baylor, we wanted to remind you that all previous COVID mitigation measures remain in effect. It is critical that we continue to adhere to those protocols if we want to continue having fans at future athletics events. You can review our mitigation measures here.

We have also made several game management changes since the last home game to maintain a safe and enjoyable environment.

With construction at Jack Trice Stadium progressing so well this fall, we are significantly altering the north entrances for the rest of the season and ask that you plan accordingly so your entrance to the stadium is safe and efficient.

GATE 1 (NE corner of stadium, adjacent to Lot 85E)
Gate 1 will be closed for the remaining games this season. Fans, who typically enter the stadium through Gate 1, should use Gate 2 (east side of the stadium). Fans, who are unable to use / would prefer to avoid the Gate 2 stairs, can enter at Gate 3 (south end of the stadium) and use the SE or SW ramps to access the concourse. There will be golf cart shuttle rides available from the plaza outside the north end of the stadium to Gate 3 for those who need the assistance.

GATE 5 (NW corner of stadium, adjacent to sports performance center)
Fans accessing Gate 5 should plan to enter the stadium at least 15 minutes earlier than normal because the width of the ramp will be significantly reduced, making entry slower than normal. In addition, we will be unable to provide shuttle service up that ramp. We encourage those patrons, who need shuttle service, to use Gate 3 at the south end of the stadium. We will provide golf cart shuttle rides from the plaza outside the north end of the stadium to Gate 3 for those who need the assistance.

We will allow fans to bring portable seatbacks into the stadium for the remainder of the season. We are making this adjustment due to suspending our portable seatback rental program this year and the fact there is ample room between most patron's assigned seats because of social distancing.
The majority of fans attending games this season have been compliant with our requirement for face coverings. Several, however, have shared that medical reasons prevent them from wearing face coverings. This has created issues for other fans as well as security personnel. After discussions with campus officials, it has been decided that all fans attending Iowa State athletics events must wear face coverings. Although we respect the medical rationales for not wearing face coverings, it is our responsibility to create the safest environment possible and we cannot do that when some fans do not / cannot adhere to policies.
Suiteholders will continue to be required to wear face coverings when entering the stadium and when in common areas of the suite pods. Additionally, we will require suiteholders hosting non-family members to wear face coverings in their suite throughout the game. Suiteholders hosting only immediate family in their suite are encouraged (but not required) to wear face coverings in the suite.

Thanks, again, for your cooperation in following our mitigation measures this season. You are continuing to represent Iowa State University in a positive manner by showing the nation how individuals can safely attend sporting events during the COVID pandemic.

Go Cyclones!

Sincerely,

Jamie Pollard

Pollard Signature