John Stockton makes appearance at Gonzaga vs. Lewis-Clark State game

Stockton returned to the McCarthey Athletic Center for the first time in nearly two years

John Stockton is back in the building.

The Gonzaga legend was in attendance Friday night at the McCarthey Athletic Center to watch his son, Sam, play for Lewis-Clark State against the Bulldogs in an exhibition game. It was Stockton's first appearance at a Gonzaga home game since the 2021-22 season.

Stockton sat behind Lewis-Clark State's bench, not in his usual seats. 

The NBA Hall of Famer’s absence from home games started during the 2021-22 season when his tickets were suspended for failing to comply with Gonzaga’s face mask requirement.

(Photos by Erik Smith/Myk Crawford)

Photo by Erik Smith, Myk Crawford

John Stockton watches his son, Sam, play for Lewis-Clark State vs. Gonzaga at the McCarthey Athletic Center on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023.

Photo by Erik Smith, Myk Crawford

Photo by Erik Smith, Myk Crawford

Photo by Erik Smith, Myk Crawford

Stockton was eligible to attend games in 2022-23, but elected not to, citing his objection to the school’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students, employees, contractors and volunteers.

Gonzaga stopped requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination on May 15, and Stockton was pleased, but expressed mixed feelings in a statement to Gonzaga Nation.

“At first blush, I am delighted by Gonzaga’s President Thayne McCulloh’s announcement that they will no longer require Covid injections and boosters as a prerequisite for the opportunity to attend and work at this great university,” Stockton wrote in April 2023.

“However, having read the entire letter, I am saddened and concerned that, like most other universities, we haven’t learned important lessons from the pandemic.”

Stockton was particularly displeased by the school’s continuation of a policy that allows professors to require face masks in classrooms.

“Masks have been shown to be ineffective at stopping virus transmission and requiring masks may infringe on a student’s rights,” he said.