LSU AD Scott Woodward confirms tailgating to be ‘wide open’ at Tiger Stadium
By Jake Rill
Published:
Earlier this week, LSU announced new COVID-19 policies that will require all fans 12 or older to provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test from within 72 hours in order to be permitted entry at Tiger Stadium. But these restrictions begin at the gate, which LSU athletic director Scott Woodward has now clarified.
On Wednesday, Woodward appeared on “Off The Bench” on 104.5 ESPN Baton Rouge, and he noted that while these policies will be in effect on gamedays, it doesn’t apply to tailgating at Tiger Stadium.
“Tailgating is going to be wide open,” Woodward said on the show. “This policy doesn’t apply to tailgating, and I want to make that clear. This is strictly for the entrance of the stadium. But we want people to be safe out there, do the smart thing that you do when you’re going around your normal life, practice a little social distancing, because this is a very nasty virus with this variant being very, very virulent. And we just have to be very careful. But these policies, again, do not affect tailgating. But please, for everyone, be very careful.”
LSU begins its season on the road with a Sept. 4 matchup against UCLA, so Tigers fans will have to wait a little bit longer before getting back to tailgating. The home opener is set for Sept. 11 against McNeese State.
"LSU Tailgating is going to be WIDE OPEN" – LSU AD Scott Woodward
Watch the full interview with Scott Woodward breaking down the new COVID Protocols for Tiger Stadium!
?➡️➡️: https://t.co/lrzupnpd35 pic.twitter.com/Q3KN7Gknea
— Off The Bench (@OTB_ESPN) August 25, 2021
While LSU has its new COVID-19 policies in place, there will still be information to come. In its announcement, the school stated that procedural updates will be shared in the near future, including prescreening options, further masking requirements, safety FAQs and more.
With fans in attendance and no tailgating restrictions, the atmosphere at Tiger Stadium is sure to be more electric than it was during the unorthodox 2020 season that was impacted by the pandemic.
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
