Syracuse talking with state about having some students attend basketball games

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University continues to have conversations with New York State about the eventual reopening of the Carrier Dome to fans, “starting with students, public health permitting.”

“We have been in touch with the Bills organization to learn from their experience safely reopening their outdoor stadium in Orchard Park, as well as many other venues where fans are now permitted. We appreciate all those who have shared their key learnings, and we are grateful for the ongoing support of the New York State Department of Health and the Onondaga County Health Department,” Sarah Scalese, VP of communications, said in a statement Syracuse University forwarded to CNYBJ.

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon on Thursday said he believed Syracuse University is submitting a plan to the state to have some students attend basketball games in the Carrier Dome. He was responding to a reporter’s question.

“I think they’re putting forth a plan with a date,” McMahon said in his Thursday afternoon coronavirus briefing at the Oncenter. “In the summer, we were talking about students [attending games]. Why students? Because we test them and we can quarantine them. I believe this would be students as well.”

It would be modeled after how the Buffalo Bills handled fans at their home playoff games against Indianapolis and Baltimore, McMahon also noted.

“I’m supportive of trying to get some students in some of these basketball games … I think the data merits it,” the county executive said.

He added that Syracuse University has built its own testing capacity with its own lab and rapid COVID-19 testing capability.

McMahon figures, “Why not? We did it in Buffalo. It worked out well. It was a big success for the state and their partners. Let’s do it here.”