Ohio athletic directors, state officials meet remotely to discuss winter sports
Trending
Athletic directors from around the state held a meeting over the phone with Ohio High School Athletic Association officials, a state health official and Lt. Governor Jon Husted to discuss winter sports amid rising coronavirus cases in Ohio on Monday.
The meeting lasted about 45 minutes, and among the issues discussed were spectator capacity, coronavirus return to play forms and potential ideas for wrestling season. The group decided to limit fans to 15 percent venue capacity or 300 people, whichever figure ended up being smaller.
"They're not going to give variances where they've allowed variances in the fall," Grand Valley Athletic Director Terry Hejduk said. "For our gym, 15 percent capacity is 183 [people], but we got a variance for 205 so we'll be back down to 183 for winter."
Variances were given on a game-by-game basis and could change the amount of spectators allowed at each venue based off the size of each team. According to both Hejduk and Edgewood Athletic Director Steve Kray, no variances will be given for the winter sports season. Instead, schools will follow the 15 percent or 300 person maximum capacity, whichever number is smaller, at games.
Hejduk plans to open the winter season at 120-140 gym capacity at games.
"Let's see how things go at the beginning," he said. "Play it a little cautious at the beginning and maybe you could have an end. If you play it a little crazy at the beginning, you might not have an end."
Edgewood will allow two tickets per basketball player and cheerleader. The gym will be cleared between junior varsity and varsity games. The number of tickets per wrestler is pending and will be determined based on roster size. With the 15 percent capacity in mind, Edgewood will have a maximum of 200 people in the gym.
Conneaut's 15 percent gym capacity will be 197 people. The school does not have any official numbers regarding potential spectators yet.
"As for now, we are still in planning stages and are working with the Conneaut Health Department," Conneaut Athletic Director Joel Taylor said via text. "It will look similar to the volleyball model, but determination on exact specifications for spectators have not been determined as of yet."
Schools continue to try to adjust to growing COVID-19 cases in Ohio, and that includes athletics. Return to play forms for athletes who test positive for COVID-19 will likely be sent out soon.
"There's always been different things outlined, but there's never been an official form we've gotta get filled out," Hejduk said. "So they came up with something there."
Though no formal restrictions were passed on particular sports, there was some discussion around wrestling, as coronavirus cases in Ohio reach record highs. Potentially focusing more on dual and tri meets was mentioned as an option to avoid larger venues, which could allow for more coronavirus cases.
"They mentioned a wrestler has, usually, one-on-one contact," Hejduk said. "They were saying a wrestler has one person he's really in contact with besides his teammates, where a basketball player is in close proximity to 15 kids at times."
The OHSAA also plans to bring back its observer program to make sure schools, teams and fans are following coronavirus guidelines.
"I feel we're prepared," Hejduk said. "The OHSAA, with the information they've put out throughout the end of summer into fall, have everyone prepared and ready to go for this."
Girls basketball is slated to start Nov. 20.