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Bulldogs Keep Up Appearances in Hoops Home Opener - Fans or No Fans
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 4 years ago on
November 26, 2020

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Whether the Bulldogs nailed a three, a steal and score or suffered a foul, the crowed noise at the Save Mart Center stayed at an even keel.

Instead of the roar of thousands from the Red Wave, an audio track of fan noise played on a loop instead. The cheers stayed at a static level, not increasing for when the Bulldogs succeeded nor booing when the refereesโ€™ calls went for the opponent.

The Bulldogs easily handled William Jessup University, 87-47, in the season tip-off for the menโ€™s basketball team.

Attendance was down for the opener. Perhaps the drop could be attributed to the fact the game was played at 3 p.m. the day before Thanksgiving. Maybe it was because the opponent was William Jessup. Formerly San Jose Bible College and San Jose Christian College, it was renamed after the campus president when it moved from San Jose to Rocklin in 2003.

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David Taub

Sports

The COVID-19 pandemic was the real reason why fans were restricted. Hence the new era in Bulldog athletics.

Itโ€™s been 266 days since the Bulldogsโ€™ season ended last at the Mountain West tournament, and the rest of college sports shut down.

There were no cheerleaders. No band. No fans. Only athletic department staff and the media were able to attend the game in person.

The COVID Era

At least the Bulldog hoopsters got to play at home.

The final two home games for the football team, including Friday night, were cancelled because of COVID contact tracing issues.

All players, coaches and other essential staff are tested three times per week, including two days before game day.

Most players and coaches for both teams wore masks while on the bench. Players on the court and referees did not. However, the refs did don masks during media timeouts.

Referees (from left to right) Brady Chelette, Melvin Landry and Juan Corral donned masks during timeouts (GV Wire/Jahz Tello)

Even the announcers wore masks. Radio voice Paul Loeffler sounded smooth as ever, if not a bit muffled.

At halftime, the hoops and bench areas were sprayed down by an arena worker with a the cleaner strapped to his back with an attached wand.

The game was mostly a breeze for the Bulldogs. After overcoming some early minute jitters, head coach Justin Hutson didnโ€™t have much to yell and scream about.

This year, the Bulldogs schedule has changed to make it more pandemic friendly. The opener vs. WJU is just one of seven non-conference games. Mountain West games start Dec. 28. Teams will be play two-game series, separated by a off-day.

Fresno Stateโ€™s Orlando Robinson prepares for the first tip-off of the season with William Jessupโ€™s Matt Garrison. (GV Wire/Jahz Tello)

Sounds of an Empty Arena

Prior to the start of the game, the public address announcer still read the good sportsmanship message, warning โ€œfansโ€ that abusive conduct could lead to ejection.

The band played the National Anthem, and Boyz II Men sang โ€œLift Every Voice and Sing.โ€ Both prerecorded, of course.

The music was still loud during timeouts. WJU coach Lance Van Vogt could be heard conversing with one of the referees.

Perhaps the starkest realization of this new era was in the concourses. They were completely empty. There were no concession workers, no need. Not even the lights in the bathroom were turned on.

The ban on fans will continue until state and county leaders deem them allowable. It will take advancement in the color tier system to make that happen. As with most of the state, Fresno County is in the color purple, the most restrictive.

The benches and hoops were sanitized during halftime (GV Wire/ Jahz Tello)

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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