Tennessee football bans on-campus tailgating, expects reduced attendance

The COVID-19 pandemic may reduce attendance at Neyland Stadium for Tennessee football Volunteers games.

Outside of the SEC’s dramatic change to scheduling, Tennessee football as a program has taken its first official step to deal with the coronavirus pandemic in the fall. It will lessen the pageantry that comes with the sport in a huge way.

UT Chancellor Donde Plowman said on Thursday that the school won’t allow on-campus tailgating for home games this fall. She also noted that the school is planning on limiting the number of fans who show up at Neyland Stadium for home games.

In their 10-game SEC schedule in which their opponents have been revealed but not the date, the Vols play five home games. Plowman discussed the new plans for Tennessee football’s season in a video update Thursday afternoon. You can see that video here.

Obviously, these are expected moves. UT clearly has to account for the concerns that have come with coronavirus. As a result, getting out in front of this issue is a smart move and one of the best ways to help make sure a season happens.

Whether or not a season actually does happen remains up in the air, but the Vols are clearly being forward-thinking and doing everything they can to not be blindsided by anything. As much as everybody loves the traditions, this is the best way to do it for the year.

Of course, this raises more questions about other traditions. Will the Vol Walk still happen? What about running through the T? Are there going to be restrictions with the Vol Navy? Could the Pride of the Southland Marching Band potentially just not be a part of the games?

All of these things are possibilities, but to make sure Tennessee football has a season, the Vols and other SEC schools have to take these precautions. Not doing so would be dramatically irresponsible, and it only further proves that they are serious about being able to play this year.