Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription.
Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. Please use the button below to manage your account.
Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
Please purchase a subscription to continue reading.
Your current subscription does not provide access to this content.
Showers likely along with a possible rumble of thunder early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low 58F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..
Showers likely along with a possible rumble of thunder early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low 58F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated: May 18, 2024 @ 7:57 pm
WINSTON-SALEM — Consider it a clean sweep of sorts and an opening month of emptiness for the in-state Atlantic Coast Conference schools.
Wake Forest’s move Tuesday to start its fall sports seasons without spectators at home events became the last of the expected ACC dominoes to fall across the state, the decision from the Demon Deacons following those recently made by rivals Duke, North Carolina and North Carolina State.
Fans won’t be allowed for home contests, including football games, at any of the schools through the end of September due to coronavirus considerations, and in accordance with guidance from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, men’s and women’s soccer, and volleyball are the other sports impacted, all of which are preparing to play modified fall seasons condensed by pandemic concerns.
Wake Forest will miss out on having spectators at two home football games this month. Both present enormous situations for the Demon Deacons, beginning in particular with their Sept. 12 season opener in prime time against No. 1 Clemson, the league power that has reached four of the last five national championship games.
“We understand there are many variables involved in fighting the pandemic and we respect DHHS’s guidance,” Wake Forest athletics director John Currie said through a statement. “We will miss the passion and support of Wake Forest fans in the Truist Field stands on September 12, but we will continue to work to demonstrate our ability to safely host Deacon Nation for future contests.”
Wake Forest’s Sept. 19 football visit to N.C. State, the season opener for the Wolfpack after its coronavirus case numbers caused a postponement with Virginia Tech, won’t be held in front of fans at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.
The Demon Deacons then play host to No. 10 Notre Dame at home in Winston-Salem, another marquee opportunity. That game was moved Wednesday from its originally scheduled location of Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
No. 18 North Carolina’s pair of home dates to start the football season — Sept. 12 against Syracuse and Sept. 19 against Charlotte — will be without fans at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill. The same goes for Duke’s home opener Sept. 19 against Boston College at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham.
The ACC also has a mix of schools that will be permitting spectators in their football stadiums at reduced capacities to begin the season. Here’s a look at how the groups shake out:
Tailgating won’t be permitted outside of Wake Forest’s football stadium, formerly known as BB&T Field, or in nearby parking lots for the spotlighted Sept. 12 matchup with Clemson.
If fans are able to attend Demon Deacons home contests later this season, the school said tickets only will be sold on a game-by-game basis.
This article originally appeared on Times-News: In-state ACC teams left feeling empty with no fans at Wake Forest
