Football fans limited at Santo, Hico games
By Lynsi Musselman
& Donnie A. Lucas
Albany and Texas high school football fans are probably more than ready to see the Friday night lights on across the state.
With COVID-19 concerns and most counties in the state experiencing stricter guidelines, residents are left wondering what the in-person viewing experience will look like this year at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.
The good news for home games this season is that no admission will be charged as part of the effort to limit contact to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.
Another positive for Albany fans is that because of the size of the home side stands, a total of 1,000 home fans will be allowed for each game on a first-come first-served basis.
However, visiting fans will be limited to just 270 on the visitors side of the stadium due to seating blocked off to meet the governer’s 50 percent occupany rule.
“We are not blocking off seating on the home side,” superintendent Jonathan Scott said. “The home side is large enough for people to spread out and practice social distancing. We are just asking people to be reponsible and distance themselves.”
Scott wants fans, parents, students, and spectators to be aware of other requirements and adjustments from previous seasons.
As required by UIL, all sporting events held at football fields are limited to 50 percent seating capacity. Face coverings, while currently not required in Albany due to the low number of active COVID-19 cases, very well may be required at away games.
AISD is not required to mandate the wearing of face coverings at football games, but coverings are strongly encouraged, especially around restrooms and concession stands.
Tickets
No admission fee will be charged for any home games or district away games in Hico or Santo. However, away games at Haskell and Anson during pre-district may charge a fee or require tickets to be reserved in advance via their school’s websites.
While out-of-town district games will not have an entrance fee, there will be a limit on seats of 240 in Santo and 400 in Hico. Additionally, both schools are using a seating reservation system that requires the names of those planning to attend to be sent in advance.
More information on how tickets will be allocated and reserved will be available prior to those games on the school’s website and in an ad in this week’s newspaper.
All 2019-2020 season pass holders for the Robert Nail Staidum will maintain their seats for the 2020-2021 season without charge.
“We are contacting those people who had season tickets last year to determine if they want to keep their seats,” Scott said. “We decided to do this to simplify the ticket process for our local fans.”
Scott added that donation will be accepted to help offset the loss of revenue generated by ticket sales at home games to pay for the cost of officials, as well as maintenance and operation of the football field.
Seating at
Home Games
Robert Nail Memorial Stadium at 50 percent capacity will hold 1,000 on the home side and 270 on the visitors side.
AISD staff members will count individuals upon arrival at the stadium, and once the capacity is reached, the gates will be closed.
Fans must enter the main front gate to access the home stands, while visitors must use the south side gate or the double gates near King & Robertson Insurance to sit on the visitors side.
Seating at
Away Games
For AISD to assist with the enforcement of the 50 percent capacity limitation on all away District 8-2A football games, AISD administrators will be required to submit a list of eligible fans to the visiting school by 4:00 p.m. the day before the game.
District 8-2A away football games this season will be played in Santo and Hico.
On Monday at 5:00 p.m. before the Friday out-of-town game, each of the following student groups will provide their program director the names for the number of eligible guests planning to attend the game.
Each varsity football player will receive up to four entries.
Each band member and cheerleader will receive two entries each.
Starting at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday before the Hico and Santo games, all remaining seats will be made available to the public on a first-come first-served basis.
Anyone not on the list of eligible fans will not be allowed entrance to the games in Santo and Hico.
To reserve a seat for those games, contact Morgan at the administration office at 325-762-2823.
Game Entrance
Scott said all fans will be screened at the gate, and no one with COVID-19 symptoms will be allowed in the stadium.
“Parking for the south side will be the same as last year, and there is always room on the north side to park as well,” Scott added.
Media
Local media will be allowed on the Albany sideline, but masks will be required.
Pre-Game Activites
No fans will be allowed on the field. This includes the spirit line.
Post-Game Activities
No fans will be allowed on the field.
Once the game is completed, players will leave the playing area for the locker rooms.
Smith said no visiting will be allowed on the field after the game.
Livestreaming
All home and visiting fans will be offered the opportunity to watch the games on live streaming by subscribing to FFHS.
Scott reported that specific information regarding the live streaming will be shared soon on the school website.
The price of subscribing will be $9.99 per month or $70 for the school year. Plans are being made to offer live-streaming of most varsity sports throughout the year.
The UIL is allowing the live broadcasting of high sports for the first time due to the coronavirus. It is not known if the streaming of games will end after this school year.
