Henryetta Public Schools Athletic Director Bryan Leeder this week shared some information about the new board-approved guidelines for sporting events.
“Just so everyone knows, the main thing is that we are trying to keep everyone safe,” Leeder said. “All of our fans, all of our players, everything is for safety. If you’ve been watching any of the news, you see some of the things that have happened in our state and around the country. And ultimately, we just want to make this a great experience for you to watch.”
The AD added that there may be some inconvenience at times, but the policy is for the safety of everyone.
• Leeder stated that there will be no re-entry during the sporting events without being rechecked and paying another entry fee, except for emergencies.
“We are not going to allow re-entrance without having to repay and get rechecked,” he said.
In the near future, Student IDs will be used for 8-12th grade students to enter without a parent. “If you’re under that age, (grades seven and under) you have to have a parent with you to attend the games, and that’s not just getting dropped off. That is for the duration of the event. So if you just drop your kids out in front of the gate and they are not don’t have a student ID in the future, then they’re not going to be able to come in,” Leeder said.
• No outside food or drinks will be allowed. AD Leeder stated this has been a policy for quite some time, but will now be enforced heavily.
• No alcoholic beverages.
• New bag policy – No backpacks, only clear bags allowed. Small things like a ladies wallet or a small fanny pack will be allowed. But no big bags and purses of any size at all.
“Medical bags will be admitted if it is for medical equipment, but it could be subject to search by our Henryetta Police Department before you can enter. That is the same thing for a Family Care bag. So if you have a small child and baby, you can bring a diaper bag but it may be subject to search before you can enter,” Leeder said.
• Chair policy – chairs are allowed, but no bags to carry them in. “If you have your chair in a bag, we’re going to have to make you open your bag up, check your chair and all those things and it’s really going to slow down how fast we can get everybody through the gate,” he said.
Leeder stated that with the new policies in place, the entry may take a little bit longer, but encouraged everyone to have patience.
“Please show them courtesy and respect and just help them help them do their job and then you get to enjoy the game,” Leeder said.
• Prohibited items no explosives, firearms, weapons of any kind including pocket knives; alcohol, vapes, chewing tobacco or cigarette smoking; bags, purses, backpacks, fanny packs larger than a wallet and hard binocular cases; all sports balls, skateboards and other sporting equipment.”
Children will not be allowed to play ball in the south area, as they have done in the past due to the risk.
• No large coolers, tumblers or ice chests; laser pointers; and animals. Only service animals will be allowed and they must have documentation.
The new rules will be used for both football and basketball.
Anyone with questions or concerns can contact the school for more information.
