Following the February 26, 2021 HCAC Council of President's vote to allow each HCAC campus to create its own policy regarding outdoor spectator attendance, the ten member institutions of the HCAC each developed guidelines allowing for the safe return of limited spectators to campus athletic events.
This page is intended to serve as a central listing for each institution's spectator policies so that supporters of HCAC athletics may be able to determine the spectator limitations at each institution.
Every administrator and coach within the HCAC family recognizes that limitations on spectators for outdoor sports can be frustrating, and we all long for the days when we can welcome all spectators back onto our campuses. Meanwhile, we ask for everyone's patience and grace as we focus on our primary goal of conducting safe athletic competition throughout this spring.
We are proud of the fact that the HCAC remains one of the only Division III conferences in the country that is successfully conducting athletic competition, across all conference sponsored sports, this academic year. While the affect of those efforts is not easily seen or felt externally, the reality of conducting all 20 sports in a shortened timeframe, with additional safety measures, has a substantial impact on game management staffs and capabilities for hosting. Combining those unique challenges with the necessary precautions within unique residential college, it is necessary that each HCAC school must limit spectator attendance differently in order to successfully have athletic competition this spring.
As the country continues to open up further, each institution will continue to evaluate its policy. Those updates will be posted here and on each institution's athletics webpage.
- Anderson: Only family members of AU student-athletes, as well as AU students, faculty and staff at outdoor athletics competitions. No visiting spectators.
Full policy
HERE
- Bluffton: Only limited guests of BU student-athletes, as well as BU students, faculty and staff at outdoor athletics competitions. No visiting spectators.
Full policy
HERE
- Defiance: Only immediate family members/caregivers of DC student-athletes, as well as DC students, faculty and staff at outdoor athletics competitions. No visiting spectators.
Full policy
HERE
- Earlham: Limited guests of EC student-athletes and members of the Earlham campus community only – specifically on-campus residential students, currently employed Earlham faculty and staff, and prospective students. No visiting spectators.
Full policy
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- Franklin: Only limited guests of FC student-athletes, as well as FC students, faculty and staff at outdoor athletics competitions. No visiting spectators.
Full policy
HERE
- Hanover: Only families of HC student-athletes, as well as HC students, faculty and staff at outdoor athletics competitions. No visiting spectators.
Full policy
HERE
- Manchester: Only guests of MU student-athletes, as well as limited number of MU students, faculty and staff at outdoor athletics competitions. No visiting spectators.
Full policy
HERE
- Mount St. Joseph: For sites owned and controlled by MSJ, only guests of MSJ student-athletes, as well as MSJ students, faculty and staff at outdoor athletics competitions. No visiting spectators.
Full policy
HERE
- Rose-Hulman: Only limited family members, members of the Rose-Hulman community, and recruits plus two family members can attend outdoor events in 2020-21. No children are permitted. No visiting spectators.
Full policy
HERE
- Transylvania: Updates to spectator policies have been made for baseball and softball.
Full policy
HERE