Citing concerns over the coronavirus, Florida A&M announced that its upcoming spring football game will be held without fans.
“We want to be proactive and monitor the situation. There are a lot of events around the spring game,” FAMU Director of Athletics Kortne Gosha told the Tallahassee Democrat. “We thought it was in the best interest of student-athletes and the community not to have fans attend the spring game.
“With individuals coming from other states, it was in our best interest to advise fans. They now can make appropriate plans. There aren’t any cases on campus. We just wanted to be precautions.”
Head football coach Willie Simmons said he supports the school’s decision to restrict fans from the March 28 Orange and Green game because of what he described as nationwide “epidemic.”
“This epidemic is nationwide. Everyone involved wants to do the best job to keep everyone safe,” Simmons said. “The administration made the decision to keep fans away. It’s disappointing the players won’t get to showcase their talents in front of the fans. But we want to be safe.”