Fall Athletic Announcement

Parents:

With the information released yesterday from Governor DeWine and the OHSAA, we are happy to share specifics on our upcoming fall athletic season.

The Focus

We are incredibly excited that our student-athletes will be able to participate in their fall sports.  While we know you share that excitement, we also have to understand our obligations to make these competitions happen in a safe manner.  Please understand that our focus is, and always will be, on the student-athlete. These changes are required to allow them a season. Limitations on spectators will be difficult, but we can all agree that having the season is the best part of this announcement. Please see the following specifics:

Schedules

Many of our athletic schedules have been adjusted to accommodate cancellations and OHSAA updates to season length. We will be sharing these schedules as they are finalized.  Please understand that there will very likely be some changes to these as we finalize the contests with other schools.

Spectators

There will be NO general public tickets available for any events this fall. 

With the exception of Friday night football games, each student-athlete will receive four (4) tickets to each contest. For Friday night football games each football player, cheerleader and band member will receive two (2) tickets per contest.  These numbers are established to meet the 15% of fixed seating capacity requirement set forth by the Ohio Dept of Health. This will allow the athlete to have immediate family or guests attend games. Each high school ticket will be $5, payable at the gate. Middle school contests will be $3, payable at the gate.  Please have exact change.  Each person must have a physical ticket when entering the event.  We realize that limitations on the numbers of tickets will create some scheduling issues for families. Unfortunately, there will be no exceptions to this requirement.  Visitor tickets will be even more limited due to space requirements.

Masks and other safety precautions for spectators

Spectators are required to wear masks following all the Ohio guidelines for masks.  Social distance of 6ft is required for all spectators to maintain throughout the contest.  Family groups should sit together. Spectators must conduct daily symptom assessments.  Anyone experiencing symptoms must stay home. Family groups must sit together, socially distanced from other family groups. No congregating before or after games is permitted.  We will NOT be able to make exceptions in these areas for the safety of our staff and student-athletes

Tickets

Tickets for home events will be distributed to each individual athlete/band member before each contest. Instructions will be provided on how the money will be collected. The plan is to limit cash transactions as you enter an event.  More information coming soon.  No passes will be available for home or away events. Opposing schools will be setting their own ticketing procedures, and those will be communicated through individual sport coaches. 

Seating

Each venue will be clearly marked showing seating and spacing locations.  Families should sit together in groups. Students should remain with their family group during events.  Social distancing and safety expectations will also be clearly marked and communicated.  

Streaming

The space limitations on Friday nights severely limit our typical attendance. Due to these limitations, we are looking into streaming options for home Friday night football games.  The typical platforms that allow this service are expensive and require payment to watch the event.  There is no guarantee that this will be available.  At minimum we hope recorded football games will be available within a few days of the event. The music department also hopes to make performances available in this manner.

Concessions

Our athletic boosters will be doing their best to be open, all items will be pre-packaged.  Social distancing must be maintained while waiting in line. 

Finally

In order to make an athletic season possible for our student-athletes, we need to meet the parameters for athletic events established by the Ohio Department of Health.  We need our community and parents to adhere to these expectations as well. The health order shared that compliance officers will be attending games this fall and if the regulations are not met venues will be shut down.

As we have talked to parents and student-athletes about the fall season and the hope for competitions to occur, one theme has been consistent, it is about the students.  One parent summed it up well, stating,  “If I have to stay at home so my daughter can play her games, so be it. I want her to have the chance to play.”  

Thank you for your continued support of our school, our athletic department, and our student-athletes.