LSU will require vaccination proof, negative test for entrance into Tiger Stadium

LSU announced Tuesday that it will require all Tiger Stadium guests over the age of 12 to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within the last 72 hours prior to entry this upcoming season. The decision headlines LSU’s latest COVID-19 protocols which were created in consultation with Governor John Bel Edwards and university leaders.

“As the flagship institution of the state of Louisiana, our foremost responsibility is to ensure the safety of our students, our supporters, and our community,” LSU President William F. Tate said in a press release. “While we are aware of the diverse perspectives across the nation regarding masks and vaccinations, we must take all reasonable measures to protect our campus and community, not only on gamedays, but long after guests have left Tiger Stadium. The current threat to our lives, our health, and to our medical systems due to COVID-19 is overburdening our hospitals, and we must do our part to stop the spread.”

A sign of things to come?

LSU is the first Southeastern Conference school to announce it will require vaccines and PCR tests for entry into games this season. The school will also require masks for children 5-11 and encourage them for children under 5 to enter Tiger Stadium.

LSU opens its season against UCLA on Sept. 4 in Los Angeles, returning home on Sept. 11 to face McNeese State.

“We have the best fans in college football, and we are doing everything we can to ensure their experience in Tiger Stadium this fall is safe and enjoyable,” LSU athletic director Scott Woodward said. “When our fans arrive on Saturdays to cheer on the Tigers, they will have confidence that we have taken measures to mitigate their health risks. Our football team has reached 99.1% vaccination, and we are incredibly proud of them for doing their part to protect their team and their community. We are confident our fans will do the same, and I encourage all Tiger fans to receive vaccinations today.”

Latest on SEC’s COVID protocols

The SEC still has not finalized its COVID-19 game cancellation policy. But The Athletic reported league officials are discussing a potential financial penalty, which would be applied along with forcing a team to forfeit if it does not have the minimum number of players available.

While SEC commissioner Greg Sankey was one of the first people to suggest the league would be considering forfeitures, the SEC has yet to finalize their game cancellation policy. They are the only Power 5 league without an official policy posted as of Tuesday morning.

The ultimate driving factor in avoiding missed games the television broadcasting contracts. If the SEC is unable to play games at any point, the conference loses income. The SEC aims to penalize teams based on their individual responsibility.

If forfeits occur, it costs the league television money. On top of that, schools who had to forfeit would receive less from the conference’s revenue-sharing agreement.