**UPDATE** The News & Observer obtained a quote from a UNC official who confirmed that Williams was not counted towards the 25-person limit in Orange County. According to the university, coaches, athletic department staffers and other school officials are allowed to sit in private boxes on the fifth floor of Kenan Stadium without counting against the capacity limit, much like the media members who covered Saturday’s game from the press box.

Additionally, the university distributed some tickets to family members of its senior football players in accordance with the 25-person limit.

UNC football’s season opener against Syracuse is closed to fans, as the university previously announced, but Roy Williams managed to find his way into Kenan Stadium on Saturday.

Williams, pictured wearing a face mask, was one of the few people allowed to attend the game. The broadcast from the ACC Network picked up Williams looking on from a box suite midway through the first half.

The current executive order from Governor Roy Cooper allows gatherings of up to 50 people outdoors, but Orange County has said it is sticking with a 25-person limit for the time being due to the spread of coronavirus in the local area.

Earlier this week, the governor’s office denied a request by UNC to allow parents of football players to attend the game against Syracuse.

Carolina Athletics Director Bubba Cunningham shared a statement with Inside Carolina about the decision, saying he was disappointed to hear the exception was not granted.

“Parents provide incredible support to our student-athletes,” he said. “We appreciate that our state officials have the difficult task of ensuring the health and safety of all of our citizens, and we are confident that we can distance several hundred family members within football stadiums across our state that hold tens of thousands. We remain hopeful that families – and fans – will be able to return to competitions in the future.”

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
Here's Everything You Need to Know About the Tar Heel Express Bus Service
With football season here once again, the streets of Chapel Hill will be flooded with Tar Heel fans on their way to Kenan Stadium. And once again, Chapel Hill Transit is offering a service to help fans get to football games. The Tar Heel Express operates during gamedays for both UNC football and men’s basketball. […]
UNC Football Sells Out of Season Tickets for 2021
The anticipation around UNC football’s upcoming season continues to build and the program announced another indication of this on Monday. Season tickets for football at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill are sold out, according to a release from the athletics department. It is the second time since head coach Mack Brown returned to the program […]
UNC Football Reduces Stadium Capacity, Cancels Season Tickets Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic
With football season right around the corner, UNC will move forward with limited fan attendance at Kenan Stadium and no season tickets amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In a message to UNC season ticket holders, athletic director Bubba Cunningham and Rams Club executive director John Montgomery outlined how the 2020-21 football season will look different. […]
Our Top UNC Sports Photos of 2019
The Hill and Chapelboro.com digital content manager Dakota Moyer moonlights as the station’s photographer. He chose his favorite UNC sports images of 2019 as the year comes to a close. (Click on the photos for a larger view) Why I chose this photo: This was the first game during Carolina’s season that it truly felt […]
Mondays with Mack: Preparing For A Thursday Night Game Against Pittsburgh
UNC football coach Mack Brown joined Ron Stutts this morning for “Mondays with Mack,” presented by Chapel Hill Tire. Read his entire interview below: Coach, it’s good to be back with you. And I know it seems like forever since we last talked. A heartbreaking loss to Virginia. What did you tell your team after […]
UNC Football vs. Duke: How To Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Kickoff Time
After a six-overtime loss to Virginia Tech, UNC football sits at 3-4 on the season and desperately needs to rebound against Duke in order to turn around the season. While confidence surrounding the program is high, it’s getting into crunch time for the Tar Heels. Less than half the season remains and UNC needs to […]
UNC Football Week 2: How To Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Kickoff Time
After a season-opening win against South Carolina, UNC football returns to Kenan Stadium to face Miami. The Hurricanes sit at 0-1 following a loss to Florida to open its season. New head coach Manny Diaz — who coached under Mack Brown at Texas — is looking to get the ‘Canes in the win column this […]
Gameday Guide: UNC versus Pittsburgh
After an 0-2 start and a cancellation due to Hurricane Florence, UNC finally returns to Chapel Hill to face Pittsburgh. The 2-1 Panthers are looking to play spoilers to UNC’s home opener. Can the Tar Heels emerge with a victory and finally get a win in 2018? How to Watch/Listen Kickoff: 12:20 p.m. ET Before […]
Kenan Stadium Returning to Natural Grass Playing Surface For 2025 Season
New UNC football head coach Bill Belichick is already installing sweeping changes in Chapel Hill. On Monday afternoon, the football program announced Kenan Stadium would be returning to a natural grass playing surface for the 2025 season and beyond. It’s natural. Kenan will be back to grass in 2025. https://t.co/Dy8ouQ4Qhm — Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) January […]
UNC Accepting Donations for Hurricane Helene Victims During Football Game vs. Pittsburgh
Carolina Athletics is encouraging fans to bring donation items for Hurricane Helene victims in western North Carolina to the football game against Pittsburgh on Saturday, October 5. Donations will be accepted between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at various sites around the stadium and Chapel Hill. The game kicks off at 12 p.m. The following […]
›