Younger spectators will need supervision moving forward
After an altercation at a Cleveland County rivalry football game, the school system has added some restrictions for spectators for upcoming games.
Spectators attending football and basketball games at Burns, Crest, Kings Mountain and Shelby high schools who are 8th-grade age (13-14) or younger must have a guardian or responsible adult age 21 or older.
“The legal guardian or accompanying adult will be responsible for the child’s supervision and actions at all times,” read a statement released from Cleveland County Schools Tuesday evening.
Additionally, spectators of any age will not be allowed to congregate outside of the stands or viewing area of the game.
“Fighting, rough-play, the use of threatening language or the creation of an unsafe environment will not be tolerated,” the statement continued.
Cleveland County Schools spokesman Greg Shull said that the new restrictions were a result of a physical altercation that happened during the Burns verses Crest matchup Friday, Aug. 26.
The fight off the field happened at Crest but is something that school administration has discussed prior to the situation, Shull said.
“It's a bit reactive, but the best part about it is it had been discussed previously,” he said. “We need to make sure this event runs smoothly; it feels good and is safe for everyone involved.”
While he is the school system’s communications director, Shull said he’s also involved in school safety.
He said the new rules will be pushed out all week in an effort to spread the word before more rivalry matchups on Friday.
“I want to make sure we’re doing what’s right,” he said.
Adding to the rocky situation of the rowdiness in the stands last week, Crest’s newly installed lights unexpectedly turned off before the game ended. A timer caused the situation that delayed the game.
Construction on the property also contributed to some plumbing issues at the bathrooms rerouting attendees to the school’s baseball field to use the facilities, Shull said.
Ahead of this Friday’s game which will have Crest hosting Shelby, portable restrooms are being put in place.
Kings Mountain will host Burns.
“We look forward to continuing our valued athletic tradition of excellence throughout Cleveland County Schools,” said Shull. “We want the focus to be on our student-athletes as we fully support their run for a championship.”
Diane Turbyfill can be reached at dturbyfill@shelbystar.com.
This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Fight off the football field prompts restrictions at upcoming games
