How mask mandate was received by KU basketball fans and enforced at Allen Fieldhouse
Security and staff within the gates of Allen Fieldhouse were prepared to enforce a mask mandate for Tuesday night’s Kansas men’s basketball game after struggling with the enforcement process weeks prior.
They held signs that said masks required. And if fans didn’t want to comply there was a backup option: a “three strikes” policy.
But a fieldhouse official said no fans were ejected because of the mask policy, and ushers said they were surprised by the response of fans wearing their masks.
From the top row in the rafters to the courtside seats, everybody was masked up, most notably the students. And their respect of the rule was the most-watched as they stood shoulder to shoulder throughout the Jayhawks’ 62-61 victory over Iowa State.
When basketball season began, enforcement of KU’s mask-wearing policy quickly became impossible. Some fans wore their masks while others went without, with no consequence.
Last Friday, University of Kansas chancellor Douglas Girod sent a message to faculty, staff and students after Douglas County reinstated its mask mandate. Girod made it clear that masks were to be worn inside the fieldhouse at all times, and if not, 16,300 fans would not remain in attendance or concessions would be closed (Fans can remove their masks if they are actively drinking or eating).
Tuesday against Iowa State, the number of fans wearing masks was much higher.
“You get three strikes…” Quinton Graham, an usher at Allen Fieldhouse told The Star. “The first time, I’ll just come over and tell you about it. The second time I’ll be a little bit more aggressive about telling you to put your mask up…the third time you get kicked out.”
After the second warning, the offender will be met with a supervisor who will hand them a yellow card, similar to the warning given to soccer players. The card’s purpose is to make sure each party knows that the offender has been warned. If an usher or supervisor sees an offender not following the mask mandate after a third warning, the person will be removed.
The general consensus from students, adults and university donors was similar, everyone wants the COVID-19 pandemic to disappear. But in reality, their opinions were much different.
“Frankly, we were just talking about the fact that if people didn’t start paying more attention to the masks, we didn’t know whether we would keep coming,” said Howard Cohen, a KU Endowment trustee. “So for us, this is a great way to make us feel safer, and to attend and I think it’s good for everybody.”
KU’s first opponent under the new directive was Iowa State, and at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa there’s no such mask mandate. The rule came as a surprise for some visiting fans.
“I think it’s actually pretty crazy and kind of ridiculous that they’re trying to enforce other people’s views on them,” said Parker Kliegl, a student at Iowa State. “So I think it’s kind of a disservice to KU fans — really to put them in a position where they have to be uncomfortable to come and support their team.”
Allen Fieldhouse has been touted as the best home-court advantage in college basketball. One member of the student section said they just want the building full — no matter what it takes.
“Honestly, I’m just glad we can also be here,” KU student Ava Dunekack said. “And so like, I would rather wear a mask and like, Have everyone you know, follow the rules, if it means that the boys can still play with like, 16,000 people in here.”
Another disagreed with the mandate.
“In my opinion, if you are vaccinated, and you are boosted, then you should not have to wear a mask,” said Drew Olson, a KU student. “And if you don’t have any of those requirements, then I think you should.”
This story was originally published January 11, 2022 at 8:49 PM.