University of Missouri football to start on time, but fan question unresolved

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ)

University of Missouri officials said Wednesday that they are continuing to assess whether or not they will allow fans to attend games in the fall.

During a UM Board of Curators committee meeting, MU Athletic Director Jim Sterk said football is on track to start on time.

"Right now from a month ago, until now, a lot of progress has been made. If we continue on that progress, I think we'll see events in the fall as scheduled," Sterk said.

UM System President Mun Choi said the university will have to abide by local, SEC and NCAA regulations as it pertains to fans. If fans are allowed to attend games at full capacity there will be safety precautions and measures taken to protect the student-athletes.

MU's football's Twitter account has been actively telling fans to renew season tickets for the upcoming season.

But, the curators said there are still a lot of questions left to answer.

"If a school says they are not going to allow fans in the stands, but it is localized and football with fans can be played in other parts of the country," Choi said. "So how will that affect the overall conference competition?"

University of Missouri fan, Joe Yaeger, and his family have been attending football games for about 20 years.

"We tailgate together then always go to the games," he said.

Yaeger says this year will be no different.

"You know, I'm a little older so I try to be cautious, but I'll take whatever precautions I have to to go," he said.

Sterk said he expects the board of curators and the SEC to make a decision in late July.