Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Trump Says Many Are Starving in Gaza, Vows to Set up Food Centers

18 hours ago

California Governor Candidate Stirs Outrage With Auschwitz ‘Unemployment Plan’ Post

18 hours ago

Gold Price to Stay Above $3,000/Oz as Flight to Safety Endures

20 hours ago

S&P, Nasdaq at Record Highs as US-EU Trade Deal Sparks Optimism in Pivotal Week

20 hours ago

Trump Warns Iran That Its Nuclear Sites Could Be Bombed Again

20 hours ago

Israel Announces Daily Pauses in Gaza Fighting as Aid Airdrops Begin

2 days ago

California School Board Resigns After Audit Reveals $180M in Improper Funding

3 days ago

A First Look at Fresno State’s Quarterback Battle

4 days 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

Two Arrested in Dollar General Burglary in Fowler, Third Suspect at Large

DON'T MISS

New York City Mayor Says ‘Active Shooter’ Incident Taking Place in Manhattan

DON'T MISS

Shooting Outside Casino in Reno, Nevada, Leaves 3 Victims Dead, 2 Critically Wounded

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Repeat DUI Offender Sentenced to 15 Years to Life for Deadly Crash

DON'T MISS

Venezuelan Little League Team Denied Entry to US Over Travel Ban

DON'T MISS

Fresno Seals Deal with Police Union. No Deal Yet With Firefighters.

DON'T MISS

North Korea Says Trump Must Accept New Nuclear Reality

DON'T MISS

What Does Trump Crackdown on Homelessness Mean for California?

DON'T MISS

Naindeep Singh Joins Fresno City Council Race as Campaign Fundraising Totals Roll In

DON'T MISS

Fresno Home Suffers Major Damage in Saturday Night Fire, Family Cat Rescued

UP NEXT

Fresno County Repeat DUI Offender Sentenced to 15 Years to Life for Deadly Crash

UP NEXT

Venezuelan Little League Team Denied Entry to US Over Travel Ban

UP NEXT

Fresno Seals Deal with Police Union. No Deal Yet With Firefighters.

UP NEXT

Fresno Home Suffers Major Damage in Saturday Night Fire, Family Cat Rescued

UP NEXT

Fox Business News Host Throws Shade at Merced Over High-Speed Rail

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Sentenced to 7.5 Years for Role in Opioid Trafficking Scheme

UP NEXT

Tulare County Wildfire Advisory Issued Near Lake Kaweah

UP NEXT

Fresno’s Mission Thrift Has Its Third Fire in Recent Weeks

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Barbie Nicole Hall

UP NEXT

Tulare County Authorities Searching for Two Armed Suspects After Terra Bella Carjacking

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

Fresno County Repeat DUI Offender Sentenced to 15 Years to Life for Deadly Crash

12 hours ago

Venezuelan Little League Team Denied Entry to US Over Travel Ban

12 hours ago

Fresno Seals Deal with Police Union. No Deal Yet With Firefighters.

12 hours ago

North Korea Says Trump Must Accept New Nuclear Reality

12 hours ago

What Does Trump Crackdown on Homelessness Mean for California?

14 hours ago

Naindeep Singh Joins Fresno City Council Race as Campaign Fundraising Totals Roll In

14 hours ago

Fresno Home Suffers Major Damage in Saturday Night Fire, Family Cat Rescued

14 hours ago

Senator to Unveil Aviation Safety Bill on Eve of Fatal Crash Hearing

15 hours ago

Fox Business News Host Throws Shade at Merced Over High-Speed Rail

15 hours ago

Trump Says He Turned Down Invitation to Epstein’s Island

15 hours ago

Two Arrested in Dollar General Burglary in Fowler, Third Suspect at Large

Two suspects are behind bars after a commercial burglary at a Dollar General in Fowler, the Fowler Police Department said on Monday. Officer...

11 hours ago

Two repeat theft offenders were arrested and a third suspect remains at large after a burglary at a Dollar General in Fowler, police said. (Fowler PD)
11 hours ago

Two Arrested in Dollar General Burglary in Fowler, Third Suspect at Large

New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a press conference at City Hall in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., June 3, 2025. (Reuters File)
11 hours ago

New York City Mayor Says ‘Active Shooter’ Incident Taking Place in Manhattan

The Grand Sierra Resort casino is seen after a fatal shooting in Reno, Nevada, U.S., July 28, 2025 in this still image taken from a video. ABC Affiliate KOLO via REUTERS
11 hours ago

Shooting Outside Casino in Reno, Nevada, Leaves 3 Victims Dead, 2 Critically Wounded

12 hours ago

Fresno County Repeat DUI Offender Sentenced to 15 Years to Life for Deadly Crash

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends a nuclear cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony with Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani (not pictured), at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 16, 2025. (Reuters/Umit Bektas)
12 hours ago

Venezuelan Little League Team Denied Entry to US Over Travel Ban

Fresno City Hall Fresno Police Officers Association
12 hours ago

Fresno Seals Deal with Police Union. No Deal Yet With Firefighters.

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un attends wreath laying ceremony at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam March 2, 2019. (Reuters File)
12 hours ago

North Korea Says Trump Must Accept New Nuclear Reality

San Diego Homeless Encampment
14 hours ago

What Does Trump Crackdown on Homelessness Mean for California?

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

Search

Send this to a friend