Only 20 percent of facilities will be open for fans
If contact sports get the go ahead to begin their seasons later this month, there will be noticeably fewer people in the stands.
The Central Buckeye Conference, which includes Bellefontaine, Benjamin Logan and Indian Lake, is adhering to a 20-percent capacity baseline (which may fluctuate moving forward based on state mandates).
Bellefontaine athletic director Matt Comstock announced his school’s ticketing plan Monday night.
To meet the 20-percent threshold, only 398 spectators will be allowed in the BHS gymnasium for volleyball matches and 800 fans will be permitted in AcuSport Stadium for football and soccer contests.
BHS will not sell any tickets at the gate for fall contests. All tickets must be purchased online at bellefontaineathletics.com/bhs-ticket-box-office.
Families of Bellefontaine football players, marching band members and cheerleaders will be permitted to purchase up to two tickets.
After that, remaining tickets will be for purchase online on a first-come, first-serve basis.
In addition to smaller crowds, BHS plans to distance those in attendance.
“We are going to space out in pods, probably about four or so seats together so families can sit together,” said Comstock. “Given the smaller capacity, there should not be a problem spacing everybody out.”
As has been the case for many other entities during the Covid-19 pandemic, high school athletic departments are going to be taking a big financial hit while adhering to safety protocols.
For Bellefontaine, Comstock predicts his department will lose $80,000 out of the typical $100,000 it receives in gate receipts.
“It is going to be very difficult for us financially,” said Comstock. “Most years, seventy percent of our yearly revenue comes from fall sports. When you take away 80 percent of what you bring in during the fall, it’s impossible to cover your budget.”
That will leave school districts and athletic departments scrambling to find ways to cover their losses.
“We had to do our budget pre-Covid, so with the cut in gate revenue, we won’t make it,” said Comstock. “I am not sure what we will do as a district to fill that void. That will be something we as a district will have to discuss.”
CBC ADOPTS NEW FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Following Friday’s decision by the Ohio High School Athletic Association to shorten the football regular season to six games, the CBC quickly responded by creating a new schedule to accommodate the changes.
The CBC, which normally plays a five-game division schedule and two crossover games against opponents from the other division, will now play one crossover game to begin the season. The five-game division schedule will follow.
Schools will still have the opportunity to play contests after they are knocked out of the playoffs. That will allow for the potential of having games against non-conference opponents or extra crossover games.
Locally, Bellefontaine and Indian Lake will battle in the season opener Aug. 28 at BHS. Ben Logan will host London to begin its season.