Home spectator policy is unfair, unreasonable

The spectator protocol has been questioned by many athletes over the last few weeks. I am one of them.

According to the SJU athletic department, spectators were not allowed for track and field or wrestling, while swim and dive are allowed two spectators per person.

As a member of the CSB track and field team, I was extremely disheartened to hear that for our first home meet of the year on Jan. 29, we were not allowed to have spectators.

A very quiet meet went by, and all three teams complied with the masking, distancing and no spectator rule.

I am writing this opinion today to air the grievances I have been feeling for the last week or so.

On Feb. 3, the Johnnie basketball Instagram posted two pictures of their game commenting on how “electric the fans were last night.”

Although it is wonderful to see school spirit being spread through sports, not all sports have this privilege. Why?

I, along with many of my teammates, felt betrayed. How is it possible that basketball is allowed a crowd when track and field cannot have spectators at all?

According to the picture posted, there was no social distancing and no masking. It is outrageous that the St. John’s athletic department can condone that type of crowd when some sports are not allowed spectators at all.

There is more opportunity to distance at a track meet than a basketball game. There is a higher chance for the fans to be farther away from the participants in a track meet than a basketball game.

Athletes are at least five lanes from spectators in most races and six lanes away for jumps and pole vault.

If it is a capacity issue, teams can set up camp in the basketball bleachers, making sure that the fieldhouse is not over capacity.

Teams can do that again if that is the reason why track was not allowed spectators. Regrettably, we were not given that option.

I cannot help but wonder: were we not allowed spectators because track and field does not take in as much money as basketball does?

I understand that basketball is more of a spectator sport than track and field or wrestling. However, if there is more desire to watch in person, should there not be more restrictions?

It is no secret that track and field gets very few spectators, so why not allow them?

Parents want to see their children run, and unless their child is leading a race, they will not be seen on the live stream, especially in field events.

Different event groups have resorted to making their own Instagram accounts so family and friends can watch them compete from home.

The silence in the fieldhouse because no spectators were allowed last meet was deafening. I can image the roar of the basketball arena did not create the same effect.

I am very grateful that spectators are allowed for our second home meet on Feb. 12 and I want to thank both athletic departments for allowing this happen.

Unfortunately, I cannot shake the feeling that we have been played and it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.