**SPECTATORS WILL NOT BE ADMITTED AT 2021 MAAC OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS**

**PLEASE NOTE: ALTHOUGH THIS PAGE SHOWS "BASEBALL" IN THE TOP, LEFT BECAUSE IT'S THE FIRST SPORT, ALPHABETICALLY, THAT THIS PAGE IS ASSOCIATED WITH, THE POLICY APPLIES TO ALL SPORTS CURRENTLY COMPETING**

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ. – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) recently announced that its member institutions may permit attendance of a limited number of student-athlete family members at home events for all MAAC-sponsored sports being contested.
 
The MAAC policy reads as follows:
 
To allow two family members per student-athlete for the home team to attend all MAAC competition, subject to state, local, and institutional regulations exercised at the institution's discretion. The MAAC supports the right of individual member institutions to make this policy more restrictive, based on their campus COVID policies, local and state health guidelines, and the capacity and configuration of their athletic facilities.
 
Rider University will only allow family members of its student-athletes and coaches starting with the home volleyball doubleheader vs. Marist on Sunday, March 14, 2021. Visiting team family members will not be permitted to attend any events contested in any sport on Rider's campus.  Additionally, Rider students, faculty and staff and members of the local community will not be permitted to attend any home events on campus, indoors or outdoors.
 
Rider University will continue to follow New Jersey state, county and local guidance pertaining to COVID-19 health and safety, but has also implemented specific institutional protocols for athletic events on campus this spring. Any guidelines pertaining to sports that compete in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference will also be in effect for field hockey which competes in the Northeast Conference.
 
"I'm happy for our student-athletes and coaches that the decision was made to permit attendance of family members at home events," said Director of Athletics Don Harnum.  "It's been a challenging year for everyone and our coaches and student-athletes have been diligent with following all the protocols we've put in place for their safety in order to compete.  I'm thankful the MAAC and Rider University are providing us with this opportunity for family members to attend."
 
Each student-athlete and coach will be permitted to have two (2) family members attend home contests, but family member names must be submitted by the head coach via a pass list four (4) hours prior to the start of each game.  Family members will have to check in at each facility and show a photo ID that matches the name on the pass list to be admitted.  Admittance will not be granted for individuals not on the pass list.  Additionally, each individual on the pass list must complete Rider University's Assumption of Risk form and submit it upon checking in for the contest.
 
Once being admitted to a facility for a home event, family members must remain masked at all times and will be required to maintain distance from others while in the spectator seating area. Signage will be used to indicate areas that may be used for spectator seating as well as the proper entrance and exit for each facility.
 
All guidelines are subject to change and additional health and safety measures could be implemented depending on the facility and sport.