STANFORD, Calif. – Smoke from the devastating wildfires in Butte County has compromised the air quality throughout much of the Bay Area, including the area surrounding Stanford University.
Due to the significant increase in smoke over the last 24 hours, official readings of the Air Quality Index (AQI) have started to reach, and occasionally exceed, the "Very Unhealthy" category. Additionally, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District has said that readings are likely to be worse in the region today.
Accordingly, Stanford University made the decision late Thursday night to cancel classes on Friday.
While local air quality is projected to fluctuate and conditions may change throughout the weekend, Stanford Athletics has announced the following updates to its weekend schedule.
| Date | Sport | Time | Location/Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 16 | Women's Soccer: Hofstra vs. Wisconsin (NCAA Second Round) | 5:30 p.m. | Rabobank Stadium at Salinas Sports Complex (Salinas, Calif.) - COMPLETED |
| Nov. 16 | Women's Soccer: Stanford vs. Mississippi (NCAA Second Round) | 8 p.m. | Rabobank Stadium at Salinas Sports Complex (Salinas, Calif.) - COMPLETED |
| Nov. 16 | Men's Basketball vs. Wofford | 7 p.m. | Maples Pavilion - CANCELED |
| Nov. 18 | Women's Basketball vs. Ohio State | 1 p.m. | Maples Pavilion - CANCELED |
| Nov. 18 | Women's Soccer: Stanford vs. Wisconsin (NCAA Third Round) | 1:30 p.m. | Cagan Stadium |
| Nov. 18 | Men's Soccer vs. UC Irvine (NCAA Second Round) | 5:30 p.m. | Cagan Stadium |
Friday's NCAA Tournament women's soccer matches:
• Moved to Rabobank Stadium at the Salinas Sports Complex in Salinas
• Admission to both games is free
• Stanford Athletics will refund all ticket holders
Friday's men's basketball game against Wofford:
• The game will not be rescheduled this season
• All single game buyers will be refunded the price of the ticket plus any applicable fees
• All mini plan holders will be contacted by an Account Executive to explore attending a different game; if unable to attend a future 2018-19 game, mini plan holders will be refunded the price of the ticket
• All season ticket members will receive a voucher redeemable for any future 2018-19 home game (one voucher per season ticket membership), plus an additional $10 off next year's season tickets above the loyalty price
• All secondary market purchases, including StubHub buyers, will have to work through the secondary market to request refunds
Sunday's women's basketball game against Ohio State:
• The game will not be rescheduled this season
• All single game buyers will be refunded the price of the ticket plus any applicable fees
• All mini plan holders will be contacted by an Account Executive to explore attending a different game; if unable to attend a future 2018-19 game, mini plan holders will be refunded the price of the ticket
• All season ticket members will receive a voucher redeemable for any future 2018-19 home game (one voucher per season ticket membership), plus an additional $20 off next year's season tickets above the loyalty price
• All secondary market purchases, including StubHub buyers, will have to work through the secondary market to request refunds
Sunday's NCAA Tournament soccer matches:
• Remain scheduled at this time
Additionally, Saturday's 121st Big Game between Cal and Stanford has been rescheduled for Saturday, Dec. 1 at California Memorial Stadium. The game will kick off at noon and be televised on Pac-12 Network.
The 121st Big Game was originally scheduled for Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in Berkeley. However, after extensive consultation with campus medical and environmental experts, the Pac-12 Conference and Stanford, UC Berkeley's Chancellor, Carol Christ, and Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton concluded that the game should be postponed due to concerns for the health and well-being of student-athletes, staff, the band and student groups, and fans.
All tickets to the Nov. 17 game will be honored on Dec. 1, and fans should bring the tickets they currently have to gain entrance on the rescheduled date. Fans with questions should call (800) STANFORD and press option 4. Stanford Athletics will continue to closely monitor the AQI, as outlined in our sports medicine and NCAA policies. Officials remain in constant communication with participating institutions, the Pac-12 Conference and NCAA.
The health, safety and overall well-being of our student-athletes remain our primary concerns. Please check back for further updates as we continue to evaluate and modify outdoor activities.
Additional guidance and links to other resources continue to be available on the Environmental Health & Safety website.