By Shailey Klein

Last week, the Oak Hall athletic department released guidelines for spectators for the two fall sports’ home athletic contests which are hosted on campus: volleyball and football. Coincidentally, those two sports draw some of the largest crowds for Oak Hall sports.

Every spectator must have a face covering on at all times and temperature checks will be conducted as fans enter the gym/gate. Three spectators will be allowed in the gym/gate for each Oak Hall athlete. The athletes’ families will use Sign-Up Genius in order to select tickets for their family one week before each game. Oak Hall Upper School students can attend games on a first come, first serve basis. The morning of each contest, Upper School students can line up in the gym starting at 7:30 a.m. in order to receive their wristband for admission into the game that evening. There are 25 available student seats for volleyball games and 40 available student seats for football games. Every spectator is required to sit or stand on a yellow dot on the bleachers. During football games, there will be specific bleachers in the end zone for students. 

Since the indoor venue of the Oxborough Gymnasium hosts all of the home volleyball matches, strict guidelines will be in place to protect everyone as they enjoy watching the Eagles take the court. All spectators regardless of family, student, or visitor must wait outside the gym until all the fans have exited the building upon the conclusion of the previous match. No concessions will be available for purchase inside the gym for volleyball games. At football games, however, the concession stand will be serving drinks. Food and drinks will not be permitted in the bleachers. 

For the athletes and coaches, face coverings will not be required during the game. Face coverings will be worn until the beginning of warmups and are encouraged for athletes on the bench. All athletes and coaches will provide their own water bottles and locker rooms will only be available with limited numbers for using the restroom. 

For away games for all sports, bus service will not be available, so athletes are required to utilize private transportation. The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) pushed back the beginning of all fall sports season from July 27 to Aug. 24. Therefore, all of the preseason and regular season athletic contents scheduled before then were cancelled. It’s upon the coaches and the athletic department to reschedule any games or athletic events lost.

Junior Cannon Carr, Oak Hall Spirit Club member and attendee of all volleyball and football games, is super excited for fall sports to get under way. “I can’t wait for volleyball games and football games,” he exclaimed. “The themes and games are fun and were my favorite part of school last year!” Carr added.