Fort ready for its fans

FORT RECOVERY — The ticket plan is in place.

The Indians are ready to welcome spectators.

Fort Recovery Local Schools on Monday issued an open letter to Tribe fans regarding requirements for upcoming sporting events at both Fort Site Fieldhouse and Barrenbrugge Athletic Park.

“Fort Recovery Schools are blessed to have some of the most competitive teams and supportive fans in the entire state of Ohio,” said the letter, signed by high school principal Tony Stahl and athletics director Brent Niekamp. “We continually persevere through the highs and lows of athletic contests and this ongoing situation will be no different.

“We will work together, we will support one another and we will have a successful season for our student athletes.”

The letter outlines six requirements for fans, who will be required to wear face coverings at all times based on a directive from the state’s most recent health order.

If individuals are not feeling well, they should stay home and not attend.

Fans are asked to not gather before, during or after events and to exit immediately following the completion of the contest. It is required for fans to proceed quickly to and from their respective seats and not congregate in popular areas, such as the high school commons, concession or restroom areas.

Spectators will be required to follow posted social distancing guidelines and safety signage at the venue, and sit with their respective families while maintaining 6 feet away from others.

These requirements will apply to away games as well, and there will announcements at venues to remind spectators what is required.

“If you cannot adhere to these restrictions, we please ask that you do not attend the events and utilize our online subscription system to view the contest from home,” the letter said.

In their letter, Stahl and Niekamp stressed the importance of spectators to follow these guidelines to make sure the fall sports season can go on as scheduled during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Despite all the restrictions, we ask that you keep the main priority of these events in the forefront of your mind and that is supporting our student athletes,” it said. “The OHSAA has already informed us that there will be site inspectors at events and schools can be issued consequences if they are not complying with the health order. These consequences could range from delaying/forfeiting the contest to cancelling the season.

“Despite your personal views or opinions, we sincerely ask that you not be the person that ruins this opportunity for our young men and women. Thank you for your continued support of FR schools and we look forward to getting back to normal soon.”

Niekamp offered clarification to The Commercial Review this morning about the ticketing policy for football and volleyball games.

Barrenbrugge Athletic Park will be limited to 15% capacity, which boils down to 405 fans. Each away team will be provided 136 tickets — two each for the players and cheerleaders — while the rest will be available to Fort Recovery fans.

Fort Site Fieldhouse will be limited to 300 total spectators, with 60 tickets earmarked for opposing fans.

Niekamp said priority for ticketing will go to family of the Indian student-athletes via the family pass ticket. Any remaining tickets will be available at the gate, however Niekamp said he does not expect any to be available for football games.

“On one hand you want to limit the crowd,” he said. “On the other hand you want to fill that 15% because you want people to see the kids play.”