As the Grizzly basketball and volleyball teams get underway this season, they will be doing so without fans, at least for the first few games.
The Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference presidents unanimously voted to not allow fans to attend sporting events for the first month of the 2021 spring semester, at least until February 5th. In early February, the KJCCC Presidents will re-convene to discuss the future of fans after February 5th.
CONFERENCE STATEMENT - The KJCCC unanimously approved a COVID-19 Protocol which provides requirements, guidelines and recommendations toward spring semester competitions. The chief item within the protocol that shaped its development is the philosophy statement of athletic play during this unprecedented time.
Protocol Philosophy:
The safety of KJCCC student-athletes, coaches, and staff is paramount and those considerations should guide the conference as our member institutions begin to reopen campus and prepare to host intercollegiate practices and competitions. The emphasis for the 2020-2021 seasons should be on the ability to play games and not on winning championships. This season will be judged less on who wins a championship, but rather on the ability to provide opportunities for our student-athletes to represent our institutions in a safe manner.
- Regarding this philosophy, the KJCCC will not allow fans to attend events from January 4, 2021 until February 5, 2021. This will be revisited in February to determine if we open our events for attendance by our valued fans for the rest of the spring.
- Schools will be operating in accordance with local and state public officials regarding a return to campus, practice, and competition within the local health department guidelines.
- The conference has established a conference COVID-19 Committee to monitor changes that may occur. We will remain fluid to allow the safest environment for our student athletes that we serve.
- We have developed guidelines that address:
We all hope that this will provide the guidance needed to provide a safe environment and provide an opportunity for student athletes to participate and represent our schools of the KJCCC.
"Our safety goals are why we made the statement of philosophy in our guidance," said conference commissioner Carl Heinrich. "Colleges will apply this guidance to all sports and competitions."
So, what does this mean for Butler:
If and once fans are allowed at Butler sporting events, there will still be a limited capacity of fans allowed in each of our facilities. We are anticipating that we will be allowed to have fans after the February 5th date. 
With the limited amount people being allowed in the Power Plant this semester for home basketball and volleyball games, once we are allowed fans, we will be offering priority tickets and seating to GrizzlyBacker members only. Players will also be allowed a limited amount of tickets for family members.
If you are a member of the GrizzlyBackers during the 2020-21 school year, you will be given the opportunity to purchase season and/or individual game tickets for all sports this spring.
If you are NOT a current GrizzlyBacker member and want to have the opportunity to purchase tickets this season, you can become a member- HERE
More information will be sent out later this month or early February with who can and how to purchase your tickets for basketball and volleyball games.
Softball, Baseball, Soccer and Football will also have limited seating capacities once we are allowed to have fans this season. Again, priority will be given to GrizzlyBacker members first, and then open to public/general admission pending capacity limits.
Your membership to the GrizzlyBackers helps support our student athletes across all 13 of our sports through the funding of scholarship and operational needs. Butler's astounding successes are a direct result of your generosity, which has a profound impact on the lives of our students. All of us in Grizzly Athletics understands this fact and are very appreciative of your dedication to this success. While this year is different in many ways, the need to support those we serve will never be diminished.
We appreciate your patience and support through this challenging year. We hope to see you at our games and events soon.
