KSHSAA ruling means `no spectators' for events December 1 – January 28
December 2, 2020
COVID-19 is continuously playing havoc with American's lives and school extracurricular activities are no exception.
The Kansas High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) Board of Directors met Nov. 24 with all 78 members attending in a virtual format. The purpose was to decide the future of the winter activity season extracurriculars for Kansas schools.
The board voted in favor of beginning the winter activity competition season Dec. 1–22. Then there will be no practice or competition Dec. 23 – Jan. 3. Practice can resume Jan. 4 and competition can start again Jan. 8. This is for middle and high schools.
The board voted to have no spectators for KSHSAA events. The dates for no spectators are Dec. 1 – Jan. 28, 2021. On Jan. 29 local control will kick back in, SB Grades 7-12 Principal Brent Shaffer said.
Before the state ruling, Shaffer said the Heart of the Plains League (HOPL) had agreed to allowing grades 6-11 student participants to have three tickets each for spectators. Senior student participants have four tickets each. Cheerleaders and pep band members can also participate at basketball games.
Shaffer said the vote to have no spectators passed 50 yes to 22 no. As voting representative for the HOPL, Shaffer said “I was one of the 22 who voted no.” The meeting lasted four long hours, Shaffer said.
“I feel for all the parents, grandparents and extended family who can't watch their kids play,” Shaffer said.
“A mass email campaign began against the board of directors,” Shaffer said. “I've received over 100 emails – many were emotional pleas,” he said. “At least we're playing. This one size fits all thing is not good. What works in Wyandotte County is not what we need in Barber County. I don't hold it against anyone how they voted. It's a bad deal for everybody.”
South Barber can play 20 basketball games, starting this Friday night at home. Shaffer anticipates playing five games before Christmas. After Christmas they resume play January 12. He confirmed most tournaments were canceled.
The principal said the chatter is increasing that the no-spectator rule will be appealed.
South Barber plans to stream all events. The link is below. A subscription is required. The cheapest package is $11/month. South Barber USD 255 will be streaming games here at this link (subscription required): https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/schools/8d57843205.
Reader Comments(0)