HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Northern Kentucky University Department of Athletics has made the difficult decision to begin the 2020-21 men's and women's basketball seasons without spectators at home contests through at least Dec. 31, 2020.
 
This announcement, which takes into consideration the rising case numbers in the area, aligns with NKU's commitment to the well-being of its student-athletes, coaches and staff, the University community and Northern Kentucky region.
 
According to numbers published by the Northern Kentucky Department of Health on its website as of Friday, Oct. 30 at 4 p.m., the number of new cases reported between the weeks of Sept. 20 and Oct. 18 increased 10-fold. And, late last week, Campbell County elevated to a "red zone" in the Commonwealth of Kentucky's COVID-19 rating system, resulting in NKU moving to remote learning.
 
A determination on spectators after the start of the 2021 calendar year will be made at a later date to allow flexibility based on changing conditions surrounding the pandemic.