Due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, USC Upstate has announced plans for attendance surrounding home basketball games inside the Eddie and Ann Payne Arena at the G. B. Hodge Center this season.

Based on recommendations from the USC Upstate COVID Task Force, the Big South Conference and the NCAA, the wearing of masks and seating arranged in a socially distant manner will be mandated for the season.

In addition, the Big South Conference has recommended that the scorer's table and team bench areas be socially distant and 6-feet off of the playing court, and spectators can be no closer than 12 feet from the sidelines.  As such, the bleachers on the west side of the Hodge Center (Sections E-H) will be not be extended for fan use and will remain stored to accommodate team and scoring table staff member seating in a socially distant manner.  This, coupled with the other social distancing guidelines, equates to a spectator capacity of under 100 to start the 2020-21 season.

"One of the advantages of having a facility that is intimate and fans are right in the action is that our building creates a loud, engaging environment under normal conditions, which gives our teams tremendous home court advantage" said vice chancellor and director of athletics Daniel Feig. "Unfortunately, with the protocols we need to implement due to the pandemic, our intimate atmosphere is a disadvantage for us.  We know more students and fans want to attend our games, so in an effort to be equitable to our students, season ticket holders and donors, we have created a COVID spectator plan to start the season.  As with everything this year, we will continue to evaluate the conditions and adjust as we are able as time passes."
 
With such a limited number of tickets available, tickets will only be available to USC Upstate men's and women's basketball student-athlete families, USC Upstate students and basketball season ticket holders. USC Upstate students will be given seating priority for games that fall outside the University's holiday breaks while season ticket holders will be given priority for the remaining contests.  Specific game dates will be communicated to those constituent groups.  At this time, there are no tickets available for sale to the general public.

"Our challenges are many and near the top of the list are ways to help us sustain ourselves financially.  Gifts to our UClub at this time are critical for us to navigate the coming months," noted Feig.

The 2020-21 home schedule for the Upstate men will tip-off Wednesday, November 25 vs. Southern Wesleyan University at 2 p.m. and for the Spartan women the home opener will be Saturday, December 5 at 2 p.m. vs. St. Andrews University.

Gifts to the USC Upstate U Club benefiting student-athletes are tax deductible and they can be made here.