LSU Officials Respond to SEC Decision to Restrict Fans from Athletic Events Due to Coronavirus Outbreak

Fan attendance shut down in all conference events until March 30

As the day wore on it was a matter of when, not if the SEC would decide to restrict access at upcoming athletic events as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. On Wednesday evening, the conference decided to limit access for athletic events to participating student-athletes, coaches, families, officials, essential personnel and credentialed media starting Mar. 12 through Mar. 30. 

Fans will not be allowed in any athletic events during this designated timeline outlined by the conference. 

Upcoming LSU events that run within the time frame laid out by the SEC include the SEC and NCAA tournament in men's basketball, men's baseball series against Mississippi State and the Wally Pontiff Classic on Mar. 24, gymnastics senior day vs Arizona State and softball series' against Georgia and Mississippi State.

LSU officials responded to the latest developments.

“We put the safety and wellbeing of our students and entire LSU community first, and after consulting with other SEC presidents we decided the prudent thing to do is to have athletic contests without fans for the near term,” interim president Thomas Galligan said.  

“We stand strongly with Commissioner Sankey, President Galligan and our member schools on this decision,” said Athletic Director Scott Woodward. “There is nothing more important than the public health and the wellbeing of our fans and student-athletes. We are prepared to do all that we can to assist in this critical effort.”

After LSU's 4-1 midweek win over South Alabama, coach Paul Mainieri was asked about the SEC's decision to limit access to conference sporting events.

“When the NCAA made the advisory to schools that fans couldn’t come, I knew it was inevitable the [SEC] Presidents would follow suit,” Mainieri said postgame.

"I was worried they were going to cancel the season. I told our players to keep it in perspective. They could have done what the Ivy League did. I’m glad they didn’t. They would break a lot of hearts doing that. I’m glad we’ve been given the opportunity to still play the game.”

The athletic department ticket office will be in contact with season ticket holders and asked in the press release for fans to have patience in what's turned into an unprecedented situation. 

This story will be updated as more information is provided.