Although Hofstra baseball has resumed, fans have not been allowed in the stands. // Photo by Adam Flash.
Prior to the start of the spring season, the Hofstra Athletic Department released a statement declaring there would be no fans allowed at sports games. Since Hofstra baseball has started to resume play and the University has not let fans back in the stands, students, family and friends have been neglecting Hofstra’s signs that state “no spectators.” Instead of sitting in the stands of the stadium, they choose to set up their lawn chairs on the grass adjacent to Colonial Square, many of whom are not wearing masks or six feet apart.
While their presence does not violate the athletic department’s policy directly, it does violate the University’s COVID-19 restrictions about guests on campus, which states all campus visitors must register with the Office of Public Safety, fill out a health screening and always wear a mask. Since the spectators are not watching the game from the stadium’s grounds, but from university-owned land, just off the left field foul line at University Field, Hofstra’s public safety officers are responsible for the conduct on the property.
“Hofstra has historically been an open campus, and we continued to be throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Karla Schuster, assistant vice president of University Relations.
The lack of mask-wearing and social distancing by many of the spectators has made some Hofstra students question the authority of university administrators in enforcing their own policy.
“When I’m on campus, I trust public safety to keep me safe and make sure all threats, violent or health-wise, are kept off campus,” said Jordan Zalewski, a junior biochemistry major. “I just don’t like how they willingly let these baseball fans onto campus, even though the rules clearly state they are not allowed to be here. This is my home.”
Due to the pandemic, all Pride sports teams have had to play their seasons in front of empty stadiums.
The University’s policy states, “As a result of all protocols and regulations in place to provide a safe environment for our student-athletes, coaches and essential staff, there will be no fan attendance at any Hofstra sporting events on campus. The University will continue to monitor all protocols as it relates to COVID-19 and will communicate any changes to this plan to the Hofstra community.”
Hofstra made an update on May 3 regarding lacrosse games but has released no further guidance on baseball games and fan attendance. The bleacher seating is still closed and a “no spectators” sign remains at the entrance to the baseball field.
“In my head, I like not having the parents around because I think it causes a little more stress for the boys,” said John Russo, head coach of the Hofstra baseball team. “As a father of four boys though, I want to be able to see every game I can so I know how that feels. I think it’s a great support system for them to have them there.”
These unwanted spectators raise questions about the security of the campus.
“It’s absolutely ridiculous that public safety is allowing these people on our campus, especially given their rules about how strict [Hofstra students] have to be following the school’s protocols,” said Nicole Reinstien, a junior psychology major and a frequent spectator of Hofstra baseball. “With [public safety] ignoring these people, it makes me wonder if we can trust them to keep us safe from people who want to come onto campus and do us harm.”
Of course, these spectators simply want to watch a baseball game. In many cases, they had no idea they were breaking any sort of university policy.
“I always sat over here during games, so the ban on spectators in the stands had no effect on me personally,” said Tim Kennedy, whose son, Will, plays on the Hofstra Baseball team. Kennedy said he comes to every game his son plays and was unaware that the University had placed any restrictions for guests on campus.
It is not just Hofstra fans that have attended the games; fans of visiting teams have made their way to Hempstead to cheer on their squads.
“I am from Queens and with Towson playing Hofstra, it was a great opportunity to watch my son play, something we have not been able to do very much this season,” said Orly Cabrera, whose son plays left field for the Tigers. Cabrera, who said she was vaccinated, did not agree with the ban on fans but said she would do whatever she needed to comply with Hofstra’s guidelines. “If they want me to wear a mask, I can wear my mask. If they ask me to fill out a safety form, I am happy to do that, but no one has approached me during today’s game or yesterday’s game.”
“There’s just too many of them,” said Evan Bernstien, a freshman marketing major at Hofstra. “Whenever I walk by the field, it just makes me nervous about what these people are bringing onto my campus.”
Multiple students have expressed concern over these unwanted guests and public safety’s lack of action, possibly jeopardizing the health of the Hofstra community.
[email protected] • Aug 9, 2021 at 7:35 pm
The Hofstra rules are inconsistent with the other teams in the same conference. Towson, cited in the article allowed fans in stands, and allowed players to mingle with fans. I think the article isn’t journalism…it’s trying to sway opinion.