In a precautionary move to promote health and safety, Central College will offer free admission for home athletics events in 2021-22. Unlike the past year, however, there are currently no attendance restrictions for Dutch athletics events and a full competition slate is anticipated starting with a home women’s tennis dual meet with Monmouth College (Ill.) Aug. 28 at the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex courts. The Central football home opener is Sept. 11, a first-ever meeting with Kalamazoo College (Mich.) at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium.

The college will be guided by local, state and CDC guidelines and are prepared to make adjustments at any time as the situation warrants, according to Athletic Director Eric Van Kley. Van Kley noted that should the college play host to any NCAA Division III Championship events, there may still be an admission charge. The NCAA controls decisions related to those events.

Van Kley stressed that the decision to not charge admission is a precautionary move and noted the college will resume offering concession services at selected home events. He also said that the policy applies only to the 2021-22 year. College officials expect admission charges to return the following year.

And for those fans unable to attend games in person, free live video streams will again be provided for all home games and meets for football, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, wrestling, baseball and softball, as well as some track and field competitions. The webcasts can be accessed through the Dutch athletics site at athletics.central.edu, and will feature several 92.1 KRLS Radio broadcasts.