In Detroit, Orion Sang reports Univ. of Michigan football season-ticket holders have "donated $5.9 million to university athletics." The 3,580 season-ticket holders -- 16% of all season ticket holders -- "donated their payments or preferred seat contributions (in lieu of a refund or rolling over the payment to next year) to the athletic department." The department announced 21 layoffs at the beginning of September in addition to a hiring freeze, and AD Warde Manuel previously said that the latter has "resulted in 15 unfilled positions" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 10/6).
ISU CONTINUES TO HAVE FANS: In Des Moines, Randy Peterson reports 15,000 fans "will be allowed" into Iowa State's game on Saturday against Texas Tech. ISU AD Jamie Pollard said that protocol "will remain the same, including no tailgating, everyone wearing masks and social distancing." He also "mentioned plans for men’s and women’s basketball that start on Nov. 25." Season tickets "won’t be sold," and capacity inside the 14,384-seat Hilton Coliseum "likely will be capped at around 10% -- if fans are permitted to attend games" (DES MOINES REGISTER, 10/6).
SOUTH FLORIDA FANS IN THE STANDS: In Tampa, Joey Knight notes USF football will "welcome a limited number of fans" at Raymond James Stadium for its next two home games and "likely will do the same for its last two, barring any complications." The school "plans to allow approximately 8,000 in the lower-bowl area and slightly fewer than 3,000 in various suites" for Saturday night's matchup. Seating "will be in physically distanced pods, ranging from two to six people," and "at least 1,700 tickets will be set aside for students" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 10/6).
SELECT FEW FOR N.C. STATE: In Raleigh, Jonas Pope IV reports North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper allowing large outdoor venues with a capacity of 10,000 or more to reopen at 7% capacity means N.C. State will "allow 4,000 fans into the stadium." However, the school "will not sell tickets" for it home game against Duke on Oct. 17. Half of the available tickets "will go to students." Student-athletes and team staff "will be allotted 600 tickets," and Duke also will "get 200 tickets." N.C. State season-ticket holders for '20 who donated to Preserve the Pack can "request tickets based upon campaign tiers." As it stands, the remaining tickets "will be only available to season ticket-holders" (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 10/6).
