The day that sports fans usually spend crowded around TVs and shared bowls of popcorn is going to look a lot different this year due to COVID-19, but Quinnipiac University students and the Hamden community are finding ways to adapt.
“I think it’s going to be weird to not have a big Super Bowl party, but I’m kind of looking forward to actually getting to watch the game more than normal,” said Alex Goyette, a third-year film, television and media arts student at Quinnipiac.
Rules for gatherings at Quinnipiac during the pandemic state that students cannot visit friends from other buildings and gatherings must be capped to 10 kids in one room at the same time. Additionally, all 10 must be from the same building or home and all must wear masks.
This means that Super Bowl parties will be a little more intimate this year.
“This year for the Super Bowl I’m watching it with just roommates and ordering out for food,” Goyette said. “Last year we had probably 10 additional people over and got all the food ourselves so definitely a change from last year.”
The Quinnipiac Recreation Department is hosting a Super Bowl virtual watch party on Sunday, which senior health sciences major Zach Rioux said is a safe way to enjoy the game.
“It’s nice that the university is prioritizing student life. I think the recreation department recognized that the Super Bowl is usually one of the big sporting events that everyone looks forward to at college,” Rioux, a supervisor for intramural sports, said. “With COVID restrictions, they found a good way for us to celebrate the Super Bowl as a community.”
The watch party will also feature a chance to win a Quinnipiac Intramurals t-shirt at each quarter. One raffle winner will get a jersey of their favorite NFL player.
“Now all of these students will be involved with the Super Bowl by trying to win an intramural t-shirt via their Super Bowl square,” Rioux said. “It’s overall a great move by the recreation department.”
Hamden residents and Quinnipiac students who traditionally spend their Super Bowl at a local restaurant or bar will see differences this year as well. In Connecticut, indoor dining is restricted to 50% indoor capacity, allowing only 6 feet of spacing and/or non-porous barriers with a maximum of eight people at a table.
At Eli’s Restaurant on Whitney Avenue, manager Darby Owens said the Hamden classic will offer “Big Game Packages” that can either be ordered for take-out or at the bar area, which is the only area open for dining.
“We expect it to be full,” Owens said. “Our take-out orders for Sunday are higher than on any normal day.“
Not all restaurants are doing something special for the game, however. Owner of Hamden’s Ixtapa Grille and Family Restaurant Abel Ramos said his restaurant does not have the capacity to host a large celebration. However, it will be open as normal on Sunday night.
At Wood-n-Tap, Super Bowl Sunday will be like any other day in hopes of keeping crowds at a minimum. They will offer a SB55 package with buffalo chicken dip and tortillas, macaroni and cheese, 12 bar bites, chips and salsa and four chocolate chip cookies.
Unlike Eli’s, Wood-n-Tap is allowing football fans to order food for the game days in advance.
“Students get a 20% discount,” said Beverage Manager Margaret “Missy” Sanzo. “You could order your food today and it will be ready for Sunday.”
Sanzo encouraged students interested to contact guest relations to place orders and receive the discount.
Wood-n-Tap will also be open for indoor dining as usual with adherence to social distancing guidelines.
“One of the precautions I will be taking for the day will be picking up takeout food as opposed to eating out at a crowded restaurant,” said Ryan Miller, a graduate student at Quinnipiac University. “Hopefully this and limiting my bubble to the same handful of friends will allow for a safe time. To pretend that people will not see friends during this time is not realistic, but if we do so there are safer ways to do it.”