First February home game as YSU plays two seasons in one calendar year
Entry was touchless tickets scanned, no box office paper ticket sales, however people could still buy them on line until game time.
Fans were saying finally some football!
"I am a season ticket holder since 1996, I have been tailgating and coming down here. I went to YSU and I'm glad for football to be back," said Greg Kindle from Mecca.
The Youngstown Health Department was handing out masks to anyone who didn't have one, however most people did have them. Faith Terrerri, a sanitarian with the health department said, "I'm just kind of keeping an eye on making sure people are social distancing and have their masks on."
At the concession stand, a sign of the times, bottles and cans were sold along with prepackaged food.
The crowd is not back up to pre-pandemic numbers. A little more than 2100 people attended, and 3,000 were allowed to attend in the stands. Pete the Penguin was in the stand.
People sat in groups, tickets were sold that way to keep family units or groups together.
Then the moment fans have waited for as players took to the field. Then kick off in the first YSU home game since December 2019.
It is fantastic to see the fans, and see our brother play. We're just excited to actually be here and see our brother play. He is a freshman on the team. We are so proud of him. I work at a hospital so I know we are taking precautions, said Laurin Davis from Pittsburgh.
The band and cheerleaders stayed on the east or opposite side of the stadium, from the Penguin fans, and guests of the opposing team.
Trevor Parks, Director of YSU Athletic Communications said, "I'm just excited. It's been over 470 days since we had a game here in Youngstown at Stambaugh Stadium. A lot in the world has happened since then obviously. I give a lot of credit to our student athletes, coaches, staff for pitching together and putting this game on today. It really means a lot fo a lot of people. It's been a long time coming."
The team thrilled to have the hometown support! Fans tell WFMJ news it's better late than never. They hope tailgating will be back in the fall.
