College officials expect a large crowd to pack the Bobbi Brown and Steven Plofker Gym for the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference men’s basketball game at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Emerson will host the NEWMAC playoff semi-finals for the first time as the men’s basketball team faces off against Springfield College. Four Emerson College Police Department officers will help control the crowds.

Athletic Director Patricia Nicol said she has never needed to take extra precautions for a basketball game at Emerson.

“I’ve waited for this for five years. This is the first time we have hosted a basketball NEWMAC second-round game. If we win this we are in the championship game,” Nicol said. “We are expecting an electric atmosphere, one that our student-athletes deserve. Because of the size of the facility, we expect a full house. Springfield usually travels with quite a few fans.”

Nicol said in order to adhere with the fire code, the gymnasium can only hold around 265 people with the bleachers pulled out, and the Skybox can hold about 40 people.

“Hopefully we won’t have to turn anyone away, but there could be that possibility,” Nicol said.                                   

All students must pay $1 to attend the playoff game. Adults pay $5, senior citizens pay $3, and children under 12 can enter for free.

“It is a NEWMAC requirement that we charge for NEWMAC tournaments,” Nicol said.

Every school in the NEWMAC contributes to the overall cost of running the tournament by charging at the door.