Eastern Oregon University's Phillip Malatare (0) goes for a basket during the second half of the match against Montana Western University at Quinn Coliseum, La Grande, on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. Eastern walked away with a narrow 67-61 victory in its home opener.  

LA GRANDE — In the midst of a spike in the COVID-19 pandemic, Eastern Oregon University Athletics announced on Wednesday, Jan. 19, that it will not offer concessions or hospitality dining at home sporting events.

According to the statement from the university, Eastern is exercising the precautionary measures in order to ensure fans are allowed at games for the remainder of the academic year.

“As tough as this decision is for us to make, it is the best possible route we are going to take so that we can still allow fans (at) games,” Director of Athletics Anji Weissenfluh said in a press release. “We want to mitigate the spread of COVID, and this option allows our fans to still come and watch the student-athletes compete.”

Eastern’s spectator policy requires that all fans in attendance wear masks during indoor and outdoor events.

No outside food will be permitted inside Quinn Coliseum, but fans will be allowed to leave between games to eat if they wish. Fans are required to keep their tickets in order to reenter the stadium.

Back-to-back home men’s and women’s basketball games against Oregon Tech on Jan. 21 and Southern Oregon on Jan. 22 will be the first instances the new policy is put into place.