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TSSAA updates attendance policy
Following Gov. Bill Lee's orders, the TSSAA will still prohibit cheerleading and dance teams from games, along with casual fans and students.
Executive Director of the TSSAA Bernard Childress updated the state on its policies through a memo (seen in full below) Tuesday. Childress stressed the original rules will stay in place, first applied by the original Governor Order that was set to expire tonight. It has now been extended through Feb. 27.
One change was noted - grandparents have been added in the definition of 'household' fans permitted to enter the game. Household guidelines had originally been stressed as siblings and parents/guardians who lived in the same household could attend games
Players, coaches, officials, parents, game personnel and media are also allowed to attend games.
Adding grandparents will be popular in Warren County. Last weekend, one grandparent braved the cold weather to watch a JV basketball game through the windows on the doors at Charlie Dalton Gym. He should be able to attend games - and come inside - once the basketball teams return to Charlie Dalton Gym next week.
Masks are still required, as are temperature checks. Fans are still asked to socially distance in the stands.
Bernard Childress Memo
We want to remind every member school that we are still under the Governor’s Order as it pertains to the individuals who are allowed to attend contests. Please keep in mind that these are minimum standards and can be more restrictive depending on the circumstances. Those individuals allowed to attend must still have their temperature checked, wear a mask, and practice social distancing the entire game. Those who fail to do so are hurting all of our student-athletes and their possibility of completing the season. The Order was scheduled to expire on January 19th at 11:59 p.m. but has been extended by the Governor through February 27, 2021.
It is our understanding that the definition of a “household” has now been extended to include grandparents. This will allow them to attend contests if their grandchild is participating. School faculty members and staff may also attend.
TSSAA specifically asked if the Governor’s Order could be amended to allow Cheerleaders and Dance Teams to participate, even if it is at home games only. We have been informed that cheerleaders and dance team members must abide by the original Order and cannot attend contests.
The “COVID-19 Sport Specific Modifications” for Spring Sports will be added to the guidelines on the website sometime this week. Please go to the COVID-19 Return to Play link and click on the COVID-19 Sports Regulations and Rules Modifications in order to access this information. It is vital that all of your coaches are aware and adhere to these modifications.
It must also be noted that all of the COVID-19 Guidelines that were in effect for Fall sports apply to Winter and Spring sports. This includes the fact that there can be no scrimmages, jamborees, play days, or practices against another team. This also includes football Spring Practice.
Please share this information with everyone in your athletic family as we try to navigate through these unprecedented times. Thanks for all that you are doing for our student-athletes.
If you have any questions concerning this, please feel free to contact our office.