It’s been a while since there have been any Ohio State fans allowed in the Horseshoe, not even family and friends of the players. When the season first kicked off, Ohio State originally allowed family members to attend the home games. You could see a smattering of those parents scattered among the cavernous Ohio Stadium for games against Nebraska and Rutgers.
However, as Columbus and surrounding Franklin County began to experience one of the worst rises in COVID-19 test results, and as the county was switched to the worst “purple” status in the state, both the Columbus and Franklin County Departments of Health issued an emergency stay-at-home order banning large group gatherings. The OSU athletic department then made the decision to align attendance with that order and prohibit even family members from attending the Indiana game.
Now, according to an OSU spokesman that spoke to Eleven Warriors, that policy has been re-evaluated and families from both Ohio State and Michigan will be able to attend the final game of the regular season. For the Buckeyes, it will a very untraditional Senior Day. According to comments OSU athletic director Gene Smith made on his podcast, some celebrations will take place virtually, and the FOX broadcast team will also help to recognize the outgoing seniors.
Families of Michigan players also will be able to attend The Game if there is one. But coaches' families won't be permitted. An update to my story: https://t.co/Mz8FQxrIh7
— Bill Rabinowitz (@brdispatch) December 6, 2020
The status of the game still remains up in the air, however. Michigan is still in the midst of a pause with its football activities and reports say the earliest it’ll be able to get back on the field is Tuesday.
We’ll continue to keep an eye on what’s going on in Ann Arbor and whether the game against That Team Up North can go on as it has annually since 1918.
If it does though, at least there’s an effort to allow families to enjoy one last moment in the ‘Shoe for their loved ones.
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