Photo Courtesy of Idaho State Athletics
Trevor Delaney
Sports Editor
A year ago, no one could envision the vast differences between the world we live in now and the world we lived in back then. With the COVID-19 pandemic just starting, something as constant as college football being interrupted was a lesser worry on most people’s minds. As many citizens around our country have had to make adjustments to their normal lives throughout this past year, collegiate athletics has been no stranger to making adjustments. At Idaho State University, the football team has been one of the hardest hit college sports in terms of having to make necessary adjustments in order to continue to play.
With the Fall 2020 football season postponed until February 2021, this year has certainly been one for the history books. The last time a fall football season was interrupted for the Bengals was in 1945 due to World War II. To put the weight of this into perspective, this was prior to Idaho State College becoming the present-day Idaho State University. Just as shocking, this was before the Bengals joined the Big Sky Conference, even predating the formation of the Big Sky Conference itself. Each fall for 75 straight years without any season-stopping interruptions to speak of, college football has been an integral part of Idaho State University’s legacy and a staple of the true campus experience as a Bengal.
The postponement of the Big Sky Conference fall football season came as an anticipated occurrence rather than an unexpected shock to the fans and players of the Big Sky teams. With practices and workouts being canceled as early as March 2020 for all schools including Idaho State University, the fear in everyone’s minds for the fate of the fall season was that it would need to be canceled altogether.
In light of the unprecedented pandemic, the possibility that all college sports would be called off for the time being was becoming a grim reality on the horizon for some teams and their fans. While the cases of the virus spread and numbers of patients grew around the country, the initial shock of the changes to the athletic community turned into a drive by officials to make the difficult steps required to protect athletes, their coaches and their fans. The teams have each done their own part in taking responsibility for keeping everyone safe.
The Montana, Montana State, Northern Colorado, Portland State and Sacramento State teams have all announced that they will not be playing in this upcoming Big Sky Conference season due to health concerns. This temporary departure leaves Cal Poly, Eastern Washington University, Northern Arizona, Weber State, University of Idaho, Southern Utah University, UC Davis and Idaho State University left to play in the Big Sky. After these withdrawals, the schedule has been readjusted to reflect the best possible matchups amongst the remaining teams under the present conditions. Another major change is that no team in the Big Sky Conference will be allowed to play any teams outside the Big Sky during the Spring 2021 season. This special season will comprise six games played by each team, ending with the last matchup April 10.
With the announcement coming back in August of 2020 that the fall season of the Big Sky Conference football was officially derailed until 2021, the teams have been gearing up mentally and physically for the coming schedule. With Idaho State University starting practice as a team just days ago on January 29th, the Bengals are sharpening their claws for what should be a season to remember for all.
The usual Big Sky teams will not be playing during this extended season, with only eight of the total thirteen teams agreeing to play due to concerns related to potential exposure or spread of the virus. Ultimately with such a big interruption to training and practice coupled with the ongoing risks associated with the virus, no one can blame those teams that felt it was best to sit this season out. The eight teams that chose to continue to play are all following the required safety guidelines from health officials, as well as monitoring individual player health and limiting unnecessary contact off the field. Each of the individual teams is responsible for following their own state and local health guidelines in relation to the seating of fans at games.
For purchasers of tickets for games during the Fall 2020 Season at Idaho State University’s Holt Arena, they have the option of either keeping their ticket to be used for the Spring 2021 season, or obtaining a refund for any ticket purchased prior to the postponement of the season. Tickets for the home game at Holt scheduled for February 27th against Weber State have not yet gone on sale. When the tickets for ISU home games are announced for sale, they can be purchased by calling (208) 282-3276 during regular business hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or through isu.edu/tickets.
With in-person attendance by fans being canceled for other ISU sports teams due to health related concerns, it is yet to be seen what the future holds for ISU football fans being allowed to attend games during this coming season. The ticket website states that seating placements have been arranged in the Holt Arena ahead of time in order to comply with social distancing guidelines. Any fans with disabilities or other medical requirements for seating during games are encouraged to contact the Holt Arena Ticket Office as well.
