OU Announces Decisions On Tailgating, Homecoming Activities

The University of Oklahoma announced Tuesday its decision for tailgating and homecoming activities amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In a press release the university said tailgating is prohibited on the OU campus and parking grounds for the 2020 fall football season.

OU’s annual homecoming activities are also canceled, according to the university’s Campus Activities Council.

“In past years, a typical game day in Norman draws over 100,000 people to campus,” said OU Vice President for University Operations Eric Conrad. “While we realize these decisions will be disappointing to many, it is imperative that the university does its part to slow the spread of the virus on campus and in our community so we can protect each other.”

The press release said in part:

Game day tailgating events and gatherings that are canceled this year include:

•           All Public Tailgating

•           OU Alumni Association Boomer Bash

•           Sooner Club Tailgate

•           Tailgate Guys

•           Varsity O Tailgate

•           Walk of Champions

Although OU does not have authority over off-campus tailgates, the university encourages individuals to wear face masks in public and to avoid congregating in large groups that impede social distancing.

Game day events and gatherings that will continue this year with extensive safety protocols and COVID-19 capacity limitations in place include:

•           Allstate Party at the Palace (formerly Sooner Fan Fest)

•           College Events and Gatherings (following university policy for events)

•           Duck Pond RV Parking

•           SooneRVillage at Lloyd Noble Center

Mask Requirement for Game Days: On game days, face masks are required to be worn at all times on the OU campus, indoors and outdoors. This includes all campus buildings and outdoor areas, Athletics facilities, parking areas, outside the stadium, gate entry, concourse, stadium seating bowl and club/loge areas. Masks may be removed temporarily only if necessary for eating and drinking while in the stadium seating bowl, or in common areas of clubs, suites and loges.

Masks must be fabric or disposable surgical-style masks that cover the nose and mouth. Bandanas, scarves, gaiters, buffs and the like are not acceptable. Non-medical grade masks that have exhalation valves with or without filters (such as this) may not be worn on campus unless a surgical style mask is worn over it.