Lincoln – Based on the recommendations made by the Mayor’s Office of the City of Lincoln, Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department and the Nebraska Department of Education, the 2020 NSAA Boys State Basketball Championships will proceed as scheduled, but fan attendance will be limited.
According to a release from the NSAA Wednesday afternoon, the tournament venues and game times remain the same.
Attendance will be limited to the varsity players, coaches, team support personnel (athletic trainers and student managers) and school administrators of the qualifying schools and their immediate families.
Immediate family includes parents, stepparents, guardians, siblings, other members living in the athlete’s household and grandparents. School administrators will be required to provide a list of those persons meeting the qualifications for entry. School administrators will be at the entrance of each venue to identify and grant entry to those persons on the list. Those entering the venue will be required to purchase a ticket or may use previously purchased tickets or passes but pre-purchased online tickets will not be honored.
NSAA officials regret that non-varsity boys’ basketball participants, cheerleaders, dance teams, school mascots and pep bands may not attend the games. In addition, the US Bank Believers and Achievers award and NSAA Distinguished Service Awards will not be presented at this event but will be rescheduled.
Anyone not on the approved list who previously purchased a ticket will not be allowed entry. Passes will not be honored including NCA Gold Card, NSAA Courtesy Passes and Lifetime passes. This measure is to protect the health and safety of the student athletes, their families and the public at large.
Members of the media with NSAA issued credentials will be allowed entry at all venues. The NSAA is working with local media outlets to video stream and/or televise the games. More information will be posted on the NSAA website as it becomes available.
This is an unprecedented event, the NSAA Board of Directors and staff understand the hardship this has created for their membership. But they felt that their student-athletes should have the opportunity to compete while also complying with the recommendations of their local health and government officials. The NSAA looks forward to providing the best possible experience for their member schools, student-athletes and their families.