In a press release sent out Thursday morning, the Minnesota State High School League announced it would be limiting the number of people allowed at the state and section tournaments in an attempt to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

The spectator limit will go into effect starting Friday, which includes the Albert Lea vs. Austin Section 1AAA championship scheduled for 8 p.m. at Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. 

According to the press release, attendance will be limited to rostered participants, coaches, event staff, TV network partners, credentialed media and a small number of school-approved spectators from each participating team. 

Albert Lea Activities Director Paul Durbahn said the school-approved spectators were limited to family members of the rostered players. Each player will receive four tickets they can give to family members. Albert Lea High School will need to approve the list of spectators and they will need identification to get in the doors. 

Durbahn offered up some advice for anyone who can’t go but still wants to support the team. 

“We just need to get them a big following on social media,” Durbahn said. “I’m working with other school administrators to find more ways fans can show their support.”

Although they won’t be allowed in attendance, there are alternate ways fans can still follow the game. Durbahn said the game has been approved to be live-streamed online, but the details of which platform and where it will be streamed are still in discussions. Check back to this story on albertleatribune.com for a link to the livestream when it becomes available. 

Fans can also follow @altribunesports on Twitter for a link to the livestream and live updates from the game Friday night. Play-by-play radio from Nate Dickinson on KATE 1450 AM and from Jay Paul on Power 96.1 FM or any audio device at kqprfm.com will also be available. There will also be a full story with photos available shortly after the game at albertleatribune.com and in the weekend edition of the Tribune. 

“While the changes in our tournaments are unfortunate, we recognize that a collective community response is critical to supporting the health of our communities and mitigating the spread of COVID-19,” said MSHSL Executive Director Erich Martens in a statement. “The MSHSL intends to do everything possible to allow participating students who have earned the opportunity to compete in these special tournaments to do so. We will continue to follow guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and the state of Minnesota and will work with league member schools to finish this winter season in the best way possible. We appreciate the partnership with our venues who have gone above and beyond in preparing their venues with additional cleaning and appropriate disease prevention.”

The announcement also impacts the girls’ state basketball tournament and the adapted floor hockey tournament. The state and section championship brackets will be played, however, the consolation and third-place games in each state tournament have been canceled. 

Check back to the Tribune for more information as it becomes available.