Oklahoma State to require masks in football stands, urges mobile ticketing

Oklahoma State University will require fans to wear masks in its Boone Pickens Stadium and strongly encourage mobile ticketing.

“Both Oklahoma State University and the city of Stillwater have ordinances in place for people to wear face coverings in public spaces in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. This applies to Boone Pickens Stadium, as well,” the university said in a statement.

“Acceptable face coverings include R95, KN95, dust masks, procedural masks, cotton bandanas, neck gaiters, running buffs and some tightly woven scarves,” the statement added. “Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.”

The university will ban all tailgating on campus. Administrators are also encouraging fans to download mobile tickets and parking passes. If they prefer a printed ticket, they should print them from home, the school said.

Oklahoma State has also added hand sanitizing stations throughout the stadium and installed Plexiglas at concession stands, according to the announcement. The stadium’s “cool zone” area, a popular gathering place for attendees, has been closed to avoid large gatherings.

Colleges have scrambled to find safe methods of playing to avoid spreading the virus. Ohio State University had announced in July that capacity will be limited to 20 percent and require masks and physical distancing if football is played, but its conference, the Big Ten, ultimately canceled the fall football season this week.

Conservative figures such as President Trump and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), meanwhile, have pushed for college football to resume in the fall. The Pac-12 Conference has also called off its fall season, while the Big 12 Conference announced it will play the season as scheduled.

“Ultimately, our student-athletes have indicated their desire to compete in the sports they love this season and it is up to all of us to deliver a safe, medically sound, and structured academic and athletic environment for accomplishing that outcome,” Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said.