winter state tournaments

[goldy313]

https://www.austindailyherald.com/2021/ ... 50-people/

Not very good news. One, maybe two parents for a 18,000 seat arena? It could be worse, Wrestling may get none for early rounds.
You can't come watch so we will give you pay per view options......not a good look.

[InThePipes]

https://www.austindailyherald.com/2021/ ... 50-people/

Not very good news. One, maybe two parents for a 18,000 seat arena? It could be worse, Wrestling may get none for early rounds.
You can't come watch so we will give you pay per view options......not a good look.

Bigger concern is are the kids going to actually be able to compete, watching it on TV/laptop/phone is fine, having teams quarantined and unable to compete at all may be a larger issue.

[jg2112]

The idea that a child's parents wouldn't be allowed to watch their kids play in a hockey game at the X because of a 250 person attendance limit is unconscionable.

They could put two people in each section and suite and stay under the 250 person limit. What an atrocious decision.

[BlueLineSpecial]

Just like everything over the last year, this too is probably a moving target and things will change/evolve. If you believe the Twins, they think it's possible to have approvals for up to 10k socially distanced fans at Target Field as early as their home opener in early April. I find it hard to believe the Twins could get 10k fans approved for a 39,000 seat capacity stadium but that the state hockey tournaments will limit attendance to 250 for an 18,000 seat capacity arena.

For goodness sake, I went to the Mall of America the other day and the place was packed. Packed! Zero social distancing, probably 1/4 of the folks either not wearing their masks (because they were eating/drinking) or just wearing them incorrectly. If we're going to allow that to take place, I find it hard to understand how having 2500 socially distanced and tested fans in the stands for the tourney would be a problem.

[Schotzy]

https://www.austindailyherald.com/2021/ ... 50-people/

Not very good news. One, maybe two parents for a 18,000 seat arena? It could be worse, Wrestling may get none for early rounds.
You can't come watch so we will give you pay per view options......not a good look.

Bigger concern is are the kids going to actually be able to compete, watching it on TV/laptop/phone is fine, having teams quarantined and unable to compete at all may be a larger issue.

Yup! If having the tournaments means no fans at all, I am fine with that.

[ClassAGuy]

SO glad they are having a tournment... With the recent covid shut downs just hoping teams get to play and dont lose their season to a shutdown.

Fans are not a big concern at all .

[jg2112]

SO glad they are having a tournment... With the recent covid shut downs just hoping teams get to play and dont lose their season to a shutdown.

Fans are not a big concern at all .

I would argue the fans are the whole point, especially the parents. Without fans, this is either (1) the Fall Elite League; or (2) some dystopian future which isn't far away, where all sporting events are TV events, the fans are optional and are told to stay at home, refereeing is controlled by other refs on TVs, etc.

[Corn Cobb]

The idea that a child's parents wouldn't be allowed to watch their kids play in a hockey game at the X because of a 250 person attendance limit is unconscionable.

They could put two people in each section and suite and stay under the 250 person limit. What an atrocious decision.

Wouldn't expect anything less from an incompetent organization (that also doesn't know how to operate a usable website).

[Joe2015]

The idea that a child's parents wouldn't be allowed to watch their kids play in a hockey game at the X because of a 250 person attendance limit is unconscionable.

They could put two people in each section and suite and stay under the 250 person limit. What an atrocious decision.

Wouldn't expect anything less from an incompetent organization (that also doesn't know how to operate a usable website).

Isnt the 250 limit from the state? Not a MSHSL decision?

[Puck8]

SO glad they are having a tournment... With the recent covid shut downs just hoping teams get to play and dont lose their season to a shutdown.

Fans are not a big concern at all .

I would argue the fans are the whole point, especially the parents. Without fans, this is either (1) the Fall Elite League; or (2) some dystopian future which isn't far away, where all sporting events are TV events, the fans are optional and are told to stay at home, refereeing is controlled by other refs on TVs, etc.

Nailed it!

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

SO glad they are having a tournment... With the recent covid shut downs just hoping teams get to play and dont lose their season to a shutdown.

Fans are not a big concern at all .

I would argue the fans are the whole point, especially the parents. Without fans, this is either (1) the Fall Elite League; or (2) some dystopian future which isn't far away, where all sporting events are TV events, the fans are optional and are told to stay at home, refereeing is controlled by other refs on TVs, etc.

Leave the drama to the Guthrie.

[jg2112]

SO glad they are having a tournment... With the recent covid shut downs just hoping teams get to play and dont lose their season to a shutdown.

Fans are not a big concern at all .

I would argue the fans are the whole point, especially the parents. Without fans, this is either (1) the Fall Elite League; or (2) some dystopian future which isn't far away, where all sporting events are TV events, the fans are optional and are told to stay at home, refereeing is controlled by other refs on TVs, etc.

Leave the drama to the Guthrie.

Give it time. Every professional sports league went on without fans this season, because they couldn't do without that TV money.

Now, keep in mind that the future of sports is virtual reality, betting, etc. As public finances continue to get battered, the public's interest in financing stadiums will continue to wane.

Also keep in mind what the NBA, Major League Lacrosse, the two womens' hockey organizations (even the WWE) are doing this year - localized pools of games in one location (this weekend, the PHWPA is in Chicago) with no fans.

I would argue the future is entire leagues playing entire seasons in 1-2 stadiums picked by the leagues, with fans only participating via virtual, online settings from their couch. This past year was a test run.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

I would argue the fans are the whole point, especially the parents. Without fans, this is either (1) the Fall Elite League; or (2) some dystopian future which isn't far away, where all sporting events are TV events, the fans are optional and are told to stay at home, refereeing is controlled by other refs on TVs, etc.

Leave the drama to the Guthrie.

Give it time. Every professional sports league went on without fans this season, because they couldn't do without that TV money.

Now, keep in mind that the future of sports is virtual reality, betting, etc. As public finances continue to get battered, the public's interest in financing stadiums will continue to wane.

Also keep in mind what the NBA, Major League Lacrosse, the two womens' hockey organizations (even the WWE) are doing this year - localized pools of games in one location (this weekend, the PHWPA is in Chicago) with no fans.

I would argue the future is entire leagues playing entire seasons in 1-2 stadiums picked by the leagues, with fans only participating via virtual, online settings from their couch. This past year was a test run.

When was the last time the public stopped gubmint financing of a major league* venue? If this has been on the wane, it's news to me.

*NFL. NHL, MLB, NBA

[Joe2015]

I would argue the fans are the whole point, especially the parents. Without fans, this is either (1) the Fall Elite League; or (2) some dystopian future which isn't far away, where all sporting events are TV events, the fans are optional and are told to stay at home, refereeing is controlled by other refs on TVs, etc.

Leave the drama to the Guthrie.

Give it time. Every professional sports league went on without fans this season, because they couldn't do without that TV money.

Now, keep in mind that the future of sports is virtual reality, betting, etc. As public finances continue to get battered, the public's interest in financing stadiums will continue to wane.

Also keep in mind what the NBA, Major League Lacrosse, the two womens' hockey organizations (even the WWE) are doing this year - localized pools of games in one location (this weekend, the PHWPA is in Chicago) with no fans.

I would argue the future is entire leagues playing entire seasons in 1-2 stadiums picked by the leagues, with fans only participating via virtual, online settings from their couch. This past year was a test run.

Why would those leagues give up all that ticket revenue? Plus parking and concessions. We saw how no fans for the NFL decreased their revenues. They will put fans in every seat the first chance they get.

[BlueLineSpecial]

Just like everything over the last year, this too is probably a moving target and things will change/evolve. If you believe the Twins, they think it's possible to have approvals for up to 10k socially distanced fans at Target Field as early as their home opener in early April. I find it hard to believe the Twins could get 10k fans approved for a 39,000 seat capacity stadium but that the state hockey tournaments will limit attendance to 250 for an 18,000 seat capacity arena.

For goodness sake, I went to the Mall of America the other day and the place was packed. Packed! Zero social distancing, probably 1/4 of the folks either not wearing their masks (because they were eating/drinking) or just wearing them incorrectly. If we're going to allow that to take place, I find it hard to understand how having 2500 socially distanced and tested fans in the stands for the tourney would be a problem.

https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-ne ... ng-in-days

Looks like the MN Gov will be announcing updates on fans at stadiums, including high school events / state tournaments, in the next couple of days. Educated guess: more than 250 fans will be allowed into the Tourney

[Corn Cobb]

Just like everything over the last year, this too is probably a moving target and things will change/evolve. If you believe the Twins, they think it's possible to have approvals for up to 10k socially distanced fans at Target Field as early as their home opener in early April. I find it hard to believe the Twins could get 10k fans approved for a 39,000 seat capacity stadium but that the state hockey tournaments will limit attendance to 250 for an 18,000 seat capacity arena.

For goodness sake, I went to the Mall of America the other day and the place was packed. Packed! Zero social distancing, probably 1/4 of the folks either not wearing their masks (because they were eating/drinking) or just wearing them incorrectly. If we're going to allow that to take place, I find it hard to understand how having 2500 socially distanced and tested fans in the stands for the tourney would be a problem.

https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-ne ... ng-in-days

Looks like the MN Gov will be announcing updates on fans at stadiums, including high school events / state tournaments, in the next couple of days. Educated guess: more than 250 fans will be allowed into the Tourney

Isn't it amazing what the pressure from a couple of professional sports teams can do?

[Puck8]

The governor can relax the order and allow a higher capacity, but the MSHSL has the final say. And anyone who thinks that’s a slam dunk hasn’t been paying attention. Already seeing rumblings that they see it as a logistics challenge to go over 250. Absolutely ridiculous, but that’s who we’re dealing with.

[Corn Cobb]

The governor can relax the order and allow a higher capacity, but the MSHSL has the final say. And anyone who thinks that’s a slam dunk hasn’t been paying attention. Already seeing rumblings that they see it as a logistics challenge to go over 250. Absolutely ridiculous, but that’s who we’re dealing with.

Wow. A logistics challenge? Guess I don't expect anything less from the MSHSL. What a joke!

[goldy313]

This is the same group that just last Thursday called for a shutdown in youth sports. Carver County said they were using Mayo's model and didn't follow the state Department of Health's guidance. Had they followed the state's guidance they would be shut down now. In the article linked, Walz is still using Osterholm's guidance which is about the opposite of what Mayo is. As long as Walz continues on this path the chance of indoor gatherings going up much isn't very high in my opinion.

Of course we will have the St. Patrick's day surge, the March Madness surge, the Easter surge, and probably another surge or two before the state tournaments.

[tourneytickssince59]

Got this from the MSHSL today regarding the tournament.
AA Boys State High School Hockey Tournament Season Ticket Holder,

Section and State Tournaments have begun for our winter sports. As we communicated to you in October, there were many unknowns related to our winter tournaments and we are extremely pleased to be able to proceed and provide our member school student-athletes the opportunity to compete for a state championship. However, the restrictions on the capacity of venues and gatherings as well as the hygiene and sanitization requirements preclude the League and Xcel Energy Center from hosting tournaments in the traditional fashion, with our traditional crowds.

While discussions continue at the State level around incremental increases in capacity limits, the primary focus for this year's tournament will be to allow families and those closest to the teams the opportunity to enjoy the event in person to the extent possible. Season ticket holders will not have access to the tournament for 2021.

We appreciate your loyalty and passion for hockey and the MSHSL State Tournament. The necessary changes to attendance this year do not affect your season ticket holder status, your account remains in good standing and you will retain your priority for 2022.

We look forward to hosting a great tournament and encourage you to enjoy the tournament through our broadcast partner, 45TV

Tournament updates including brackets, broadcast information, complimentary digital tournament programs and online merchandise can be found here.

Like you, we are eager for the day when we can all come together again as a community and enjoy the atmosphere of sellout games at Xcel Energy Center. We look forward to seeing you at the 2022 tournament. Your ticketing information will be sent via email. If your email address should change, please update your online account or notify mshsl@wild.com
 
Sincerely,
Erich Martens
MSHSL Executive Director

[edgeless2]

Erich- This is garbage. Make of it what u will. Your only concern is your insurance.

[Cookster]

Looks like 3000 fans will be allowed on April 1, 2, and 3. Noticeably higher than the 250.

[Puck8]

Looks like 3000 fans will be allowed on April 1, 2, and 3. Noticeably higher than the 250.

Until the MSHSL releases an update, this is nothing more than words. The Gov giving clearance does not guarantee that the MSHSL will open it up. And we all know better than to bank on them doing the right thing.

[Schotzy]

Update....Sort of: https://www.mshsl.org/about/news/league ... ties-mshsl

The Minnesota State High School League and its member schools are excited to learn that the State of Minnesota is providing additional opportunities for our participants and their communities. Governor Walz’s announcement today allows the League to plan for more spectators to attend exciting events and tournaments beginning on April 1, 2021.

The League and its member schools have focused on a safe progression of increased participation and experiences for students throughout the course of the pandemic, while implementing the important requirements and guidance provided by the Governor and the Minnesota Department of Health. Beginning with practice last summer, through regular seasons in the fall, and now advancing to virtual and in-person winter state tournaments, the League continues its mission of providing great opportunities for students. This progression takes another step forward in April.

“Our League has worked and will continue to work actively with our high schools and major sports venues to provide safe experiences for students and their fans. This dramatic increase has great potential to offer more spectators a chance to take part in these amazing events” said Erich Martens, MSHSL Executive Director. “This year has been filled with challenges, yet our students, coaches and administrators remain resilient and have been amazing in their commitment, flexibility and partnership. It is great to see our state opening up even more!”

While most of the Winter section and state tournaments will have finished prior to the implementation of the new capacity limits, the semifinals and finals of both of the League's Hockey and Basketball State Tournaments, held at Xcel Energy Center and Target Center, respectively, could allow more fans. As plans are adjusted and new protocols created, the priority will be to increase access for those spectators closest to the participants and schools participating in the tournament.

The League and its venue partners are engaged in discussions to adjust plans and protocols that would allow for additional spectators. The League will provide additional information related to spectator attendance as plans are finalized.