by Lauren Frank ‘23

MCPS announced new rules and safety measures that went into effect Friday, September 23, at all high school sporting events. Under the new protocols, students who are not from either one of the schools competing must be accompanied by an adult. Students who attend either of the two schools must show a student ID or copy of the school schedule in order to enter into the game. Additionally, spectators will not be allowed in after halftime, and there is no re-entry. In order to control the crowds, students and spectators must remain in the stands and are prohibited from gathering in large groups. 

The changes come just days after a physical altercation broke out between coaches, players, and students from Gaithersburg and Northwest at their football game on September 16. A large fight initially broke out on the field between players and coaches, but later several other scuffles occurred outside of the stadium between individuals. As a result, several arrests and charges were made against those involved. Among them, four juveniles and Northwest’s head football coach were charged. Consequently, both teams were temporarily suspended and prohibited from playing in their next game the following week as police investigated the situation. 

A three-tiered athletic safety plan lays out additional measures if similar incidents continue. In Tier Two, only students and participants of the home school will be allowed to attend the game. If necessary, stricter spectator capacity limitations may be enforced. Also, game times and dates may be subject to change, moving to afternoons, Thursday evenings, or Saturdays. In the event that Tier Three actions are enforced, only families of athletes and participants of the home school will be allowed to attend the game, and in extreme situations prohibit all spectators. 

In a letter released September 28, Superintendent Monifa B. McKnight acknowledged the importance of an entire community effort to achieve a safe and positive environment at sporting events. “We believe that these policies target the areas that we most need to address,” keeping the crowd at high school sporting events free of harm.