Several reasons for no fans at Duke Saturday. Some good, some bad.

Even though the governor has allowed seven percent attendance at outdoor sporting events as part of the coronavirus protocols, Duke is one of those schools that still isn’t allowing anyone into Wallace Wade Stadium except for so-called essential staff.

Let’s opine at why Duke is doing, or not doing, that — especially for the Carolina game coming up tomorrow.

One, perhaps this great arts and sciences institution with a top-notch medical center is being ultra-safe until the virus passes. No COVID carriers allowed in Coach Wade’s house.

Two, seven percent of attendance for football games is about 2,000 fans. Maybe it would cost more to pay additional operations crew members than whatever tickets were sold?

Three, maybe with a 2-5 record, Duke thinks it might not get even that many paying patrons to see, on paper at least, one of David Cutcliffe’s worst teams. Plus, the game is on ESPN 2.

Four, might they be worried that Carolina fans would somehow find more tickets than Dukies and maintain the same ratio over there as in pre-COVID times. Has there ever been a sellout at Wade Stadium when the opponent wasn’t UNC?

Five, athletic director Kevin White is trying get fans used to no attendance when he has to tell them that Cameron Indoor Stadium will also be closed this season. Let’s see, what is seven percent of 8800 anyway? 616, social distancing. The Crazies would go crazy over that!

And, finally, after having 3500 at their recent home games, might the Tar Heels be more used to playing in front of “screaming fans,” giving them the road-field advantage.

If any of my old friends at Duke get sent a copy of this, please remember that I have been needling you guys at some point over the last six decades.

But in any event, make sure you lock the gates in case any local political rioters take the day off and storm the stadium.

 

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