Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News)- For almost a year now, the Loud House has been completely quiet.
But as of Feb. 23, stadiums around the state of New York can now host fans at a limited capacity. Sports arenas can operate at 10% capacity and fans must provide a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours before the game. This would mean that the Carrier Dome could host as many as 3,500 fans under the state’s guidelines.
Vice President of Otto’s Army Matt Jensen is eager for a potential return to the Dome and by the state’s decision.
“I can’t say it any other way other than I think it’s going to be a dream come true,” Jensen said. “A lot of us have been waiting for this moment for so long.”
As one of the prominent leaders of Syracuse University’s student section, Jensen would like to see his fellow student body experience game days once again.
“My heart just goes out to the freshmen,” Jensen said. “Games at the Dome are unlike anything I’ve ever experienced and they haven’t had the opportunity to experience it for themselves.”
Syracuse University Athletic Director John Wildhack said back on Feb. 2 that the university has been preparing for fans to return for quite some time.
“We’ve got a great plan, and we could execute that plan on relatively short notice,” Wildhack said.
While there has not been any official word on what the university’s plans will look like, there are plenty of games upcoming past Feb. 23 on the schedule for Syracuse Athletics. Both Syracuse Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse play games on Feb. 27. Syracuse Men’s Basketball hosts both North Carolina on Mar. 1 and Clemson on Mar. 3.
Jensen says Otto’s Army will play a hand in helping inform fans when SU releases its own guidelines.
“The first priority is safety,” Jensen said. “Whether it’s social media posts or videos, we want to be able to be a resource.”
