Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Law Redrawing Congressional Maps

7 hours ago

US Air Force will Offer Military Funeral Honors to Slain Capitol Rioter

8 hours ago

US Republican Senator Joni Ernst Will Not Run for Re-Election, CBS News Reports

10 hours ago

Wall Street Falls as Dell, Nvidia Drive Tech Losses

10 hours ago

US Denies Visas to Palestinian Officials Ahead of UN General Assembly

12 hours ago

Minneapolis Children Revealed Courage, Absorbed Fear During Church Shooting

1 day ago

Ford Recalls Nearly 500,000 Vehicles Over Brake Fluid Leak

1 day ago

Fresno-Bound Passenger Says Delta Attendant Slapped Him, Seeks $20M

1 day ago
Bulldogs Keep Up Appearances in Hoops Home Opener - Fans or No Fans
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 5 years ago on
November 26, 2020

Share

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 referees’ calls went for the opponent.

The Bulldogs easily handled William Jessup University, 87-47, in the season tip-off for the men’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.

Photo of GV Wire's David Taub

David Taub

Sports

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

It’s been 266 days since the Bulldogs’ 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 didn’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 State’s Orlando Robinson prepares for the first tip-off of the season with William Jessup’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 “fans” that abusive conduct could lead to ejection.

The band played the National Anthem, and Boyz II Men sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” 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)

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Gov. Newsom Launches New Task Force To Clear CA Homeless Encampments

DON'T MISS

Fresno Supervisor Nathan Magsig Says Crews Gaining Ground on Garnet Fire

DON'T MISS

Judge Allows Release of Accused Arsonist Bobby Salazar on $1M Bond

DON'T MISS

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Curtis Wayne Recek

DON'T MISS

Fresno Area Schools Prep for Football With Stout Security Measures

DON'T MISS

Fresno Blaze Damages Yosemite Falls Café, Restaurant to Remain Closed

DON'T MISS

Florida Man Indicted for Fentanyl Smuggling Scheme Using Drones

DON'T MISS

Egypt Rounds up Teenaged TikTokkers in Crackdown on Social Media

DON'T MISS

Fresno Shelter Helps Homeless Recover from Hospital Stays. It’s Also a ‘Good Neighbor’

DON'T MISS

Drive-Thru Debate Heats Up at Fresno City Council Meeting

UP NEXT

Fresno Supervisor Nathan Magsig Says Crews Gaining Ground on Garnet Fire

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Curtis Wayne Recek

UP NEXT

Fresno Area Schools Prep for Football With Stout Security Measures

UP NEXT

Fresno Blaze Damages Yosemite Falls Café, Restaurant to Remain Closed

UP NEXT

Fresno Shelter Helps Homeless Recover from Hospital Stays. It’s Also a ‘Good Neighbor’

UP NEXT

Drive-Thru Debate Heats Up at Fresno City Council Meeting

UP NEXT

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Law Redrawing Congressional Maps

UP NEXT

U.S. News Releases Best High School Rankings. How Did Fresno Schools Do?

UP NEXT

Fresno Labor Day Traffic Alert for Motorists Using Maroa Avenue

UP NEXT

Fresno State Coordinators Outline Bulldog Bounceback for Georgia Southern

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

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Curtis Wayne Recek

4 hours ago

Fresno Area Schools Prep for Football With Stout Security Measures

4 hours ago

Fresno Blaze Damages Yosemite Falls Café, Restaurant to Remain Closed

4 hours ago

Florida Man Indicted for Fentanyl Smuggling Scheme Using Drones

4 hours ago

Egypt Rounds up Teenaged TikTokkers in Crackdown on Social Media

4 hours ago

Fresno Shelter Helps Homeless Recover from Hospital Stays. It’s Also a ‘Good Neighbor’

5 hours ago

Drive-Thru Debate Heats Up at Fresno City Council Meeting

6 hours ago

Judge Blocks Enforcement of Texas Law Restricting DEI and ESG Advice

6 hours ago

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Law Redrawing Congressional Maps

7 hours ago

Trump Cancels $4.9 Billion in Foreign Aid, Escalating Spending Fight with Congress

7 hours ago

Gov. Newsom Launches New Task Force To Clear CA Homeless Encampments

This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Gov. Gavin Newsom launched a new homeless response task fo...

2 hours ago

City worker in protective gear removes belongings near a yellow tent during a homeless encampment cleanup at an urban transit stop.
2 hours ago

Gov. Newsom Launches New Task Force To Clear CA Homeless Encampments

Fresno County’s Garnet Fire has burned 17,159 acres with 8% containment as of Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, prompting evacuations while officials confirm the cause and some areas remain open for Labor Day. (U.S. Forest Service)
2 hours ago

Fresno Supervisor Nathan Magsig Says Crews Gaining Ground on Garnet Fire

Bobby Salazar motorcycle gang fire restaurant Blackstone fresno insurance fraud
3 hours ago

Judge Allows Release of Accused Arsonist Bobby Salazar on $1M Bond

Curtis Wayne Recek is Valley Crime Stoppers' Most Wanted Person of the Day for August 29, 2025. (Valley Crimes Stoppers)
4 hours ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Curtis Wayne Recek

4 hours ago

Fresno Area Schools Prep for Football With Stout Security Measures

Fire at Yosemite Falls Cafe on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. (Fresno FD)
4 hours ago

Fresno Blaze Damages Yosemite Falls Café, Restaurant to Remain Closed

The seal of the U.S. Justice Department is seen on the podium in the Department's headquarters briefing room before a news conference with the Attorney General in Washington, January 24, 2023. (Reuters File)
4 hours ago

Florida Man Indicted for Fentanyl Smuggling Scheme Using Drones

Abdulrahman Hisham, 20, an Egyptian social media content creator, looks at his page with several videos, amid a wave of cases prompting Egypt to consider tighter regulations on social media platforms at his residence in n Cairo, Egypt August, 20, 2025. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
4 hours ago

Egypt Rounds up Teenaged TikTokkers in Crackdown on Social Media

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend