Spectators & COVID

Story by: Hannah Brown

Attendance at sporting events is looking a little different this year due to COVID-19. Home football, soccer, golf, and volleyball games have limited attendance to allow for better social distancing and wearing face masks at all times. Away events and games have varying restrictions as well varying on what their athletic director and school board have approved.

Because of the restrictions placed at home games there have not been any EHS student sections this year. Many students are frustrated because they are not able to cheer their peers on, but from a coaching standpoint Coach Hayden doesn’t think this affects the football team’s performance.

“Football is unique in that the fans are so far away from the game, and also our kids are focused on their job,” Hayden said. “It doesn’t matter if there are 10 fans in the stands, or 10,000, the kids and coaches are focused on the game.”

Coach Erpelding disagreed, saying the lack of a student section heavily affects the energy of soccer games.

“There hasn’t been the energy in games like there has been in past years,” explained Erpelding.

Erpelding also added his opinion on the restrictions for other sports.

“I’d say it has hurt football by far the most in terms of the amount of people. Cross country has had meets with no fans and that is really tough. Our volleyball student section is awesome and that’s gone. Not having the students does really hurt.”

Charis Grosdidier, who has children on both the soccer and cross country teams feels that there is a lot of empty space at games.

“It seems like there’s a lot of space at soccer games, where more people could come but you’re restricted to four people per player.”

Grosdidier also finds it upsetting when she is restricted from attending her daughter’s meets.

“I think that that is the most arbitrary and ridiculous rule ever. It makes absolutely zero sense to me,” said Grosdidier.

As far as restrictions at home games are concerned both Erpelding and Grosdidier find some of the regulations to be helpful and others to be arbitrary.

“I honestly don’t feel masks need to be worn if you are 6-10 feet apart and with your families. I think we could allow more people in the stadium,” said Erpelding.

Stefanie Brown, who has children in both cross country, golf, and the dance team, feels the restrictions have been necessary.

“I don’t make the decisions, I’m not the one responsible for the whole district and the safety of their students and families coaches and staff. I’ve been disappointed that I’ve had to miss some events that I felt I could have been socially distant and adhered to guidelines. But at the same time I can’t fault a school for taking safety precautions,” Brown added. “We all have to make sacrifices.”

Looking towards Eudora’s winter sports season Grosdidier doesn’t think the virus will die down, but she believes there will be less restrictions.

“I think there will actually be more infections,” admitted Grosdidier. “However, I think that what will happen is people will be less worried about getting it, and regulations will die down because people get tired of doing them.”

As Brown looks towards the winter season she’s concerned about the risks as many winter sports are very close contact. She also worries about attendance at basketball games.

“I can’t imagine how you’re going to limit those events. There is going to have to be limits in order for kids to be able to play, and I think that’s more important…they’ve done a nice job of live streaming things so parents can still get a glimpse of their children. And at least the kids are getting to participate,” explained Brown.