The Little 500, coined as the “The Greatest College Weekend in America” takes place at Indiana University in three days’ time. Fans across IU’s campus and the nation prepare for their return to the Bill Armstrong Stadium to watch riders race after 3 years of absence due to Covid-19.
Fans had only been able to view the race via live stream for the last two years due to Covid-19 restrictions and did not have the opportunity to watch at all in 2020, after the April race was cancelled after IU suspended in-person classes and the national lockdown was put in place March 15th.
Since Covid-19 restrictions were lowered in Indiana in March of this year, Indiana University Student Foundation – IUSF – announced they were opening the track to the public for the 2022 Little 500 race. Since, riders and IUSF have seen a significant turn-out at track practices, Qualifications and Spring Series and have begun to remember how the race enriches the community spirit and highlights the riders’ dedication to the race in the 6,500-person stadium.
While riders have raced against one another without spectators in previous years, the spirit which fans bring to the annual race is synonymous with the event. Not only do fans support their respective teams at both the men’s and women’s fields, but are a vital component of the IUSF’s mission itself. The revenue created by ticket sales helps fund scholarships to students who attend the University, and fight food security on campus but also gives the opportunity to showcase the riders’ talent and illustrates that they too train like athletes for their respective ‘game day’
For the 2021 races, IU placed a ban on fans despite the CDC’s statement expressing that fully-vaccinated people did not need to social distance nor wear masks after May 14th. Campaigns were created by riders to petition in support of fans’ admittance online. While the 2021 race took place without fans, the returning of fans this year makes the race even the more special and to many, a historic moment for the Little 500 race post-covid.
“I feel like this year there’s a total buzz around campus […] It’s a lot of anticipation, I feel like everybody’s on the edge of their seats excited because everyone gets to participate in the Little 5 whereas last year only we did” Jenna Rodgers said, a Junior rider for the Alpha Chi Omega bike team. Rodgers experienced the race without fans last year along with her team and other returning riders in the field and now has the opportunity to race at the event where fans best represent IU’s school spirit and community.
