Southern University requiring masks inside A.W. Mumford Stadium

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Fans attending events including football games and concerts inside Southern University’s A.W. Mumford Stadium will be required to wear masks at all times, except when eating or drinking.

“For South Louisiana, football is important to us. So, we need to do whatever we can to enjoy football in both our stadiums and just have a great time like how we know how to do in South Louisiana,” Tramelle Howard said, a Southern alum and fan.

Officials say fans who have seats in the pressbox or fieldhouse, which is considered indoor seating, will have to show proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19 in addition to wearing masks.

“We remain flexible, while navigating during the coronavirus pandemic. We will continue to follow NCAA, SWAC, University and city/state government guidelines to ensure the safest environment possible,” officials with Southern University said Tuesday, Aug. 24.

A spokesperson at Southern said the guidelines will apply to “Boosie Bash” this Saturday, August 24. The event is an annual music festival hosted by Baton Rouge native and rapper Lil’ Boosie.

Students and fans we spoke to believe this was the right move.

“It’s right. I think everywhere we should go we should be masked up,” Hezekiah Shelton said, a student at Southern.

“At the end of the day, you’d rather be alive and stay healthy instead of being sick in a hospital. It doesn’t really matter, if you really have a problem with it then just stay at home,” Tre Hattie said.

Southern University’s announcement comes the same day LSU announced it will require fans to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.

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