Low turnout at football game after CMS implements restrictions

CHARLOTTE — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced new guidelines for some high school football games to prevent fights and disruptions that have happened recently.

>> Check here for LIVE scores from Friday’s games

On Friday, West Charlotte High School celebrated homecoming as they hosted Harding University High School. North Mecklenburg High School hosted Julius L. Chambers High School for a rivalry game.

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Both games have a lot of interest. Now, CMS says they’re putting extra safety guidelines in place out of an abundance of caution.

Last week during North Meck’s game, there was a fight, so district officials changed the rules.

Reporter Glenn Counts was at North Meck Friday when the rules were implemented.

People under 21 were required to have a parent or guardian with them and they could watch up to four kids.

Student Chelsea Rivera said it was disappointing.

“It takes away the fun,” Rivera said. “The school spirit. Tt takes away meeting new people because, at the end of the day, it’s for us as kids.”

Attendance was unusually low.

“The kids that are coming to see their friends play football can’t find someone to come and chaperone them then you’re going to have the problem where the money is not going to come,” said Richard Bran, a fan.

“Football games are for friends. It’s not really for the parents,” Rivera said.

The change was designed to enhance security and Angela Hernandez said it was a small price to pay for safety.

“I think it’s a great policy,” Hernandez said. “A lot of children are unsupervised.”

The rules

For the North Meck vs. Chambers game on Friday, students, as well as those under the age of 21, must be accompanied by an adult who is 21 years old or older.

Adults cannot bring more than four people to the game.

Also, the guidelines regarding standing at the concession stand and fans staying on their side of the field will remain standard. This will be enforced at every game, according to CMS.

For the West Charlotte vs. Harding game on Friday, no reentry and no bags will be allowed.

CMS said only West Charlotte students under the age of 18 will be allowed to enter the home gate, and students must have a wristband as well as a ticket. Students may also enter the game if they are accompanied by an adult over the age of 18. Each person must have a pre-sold ticket.

Senior citizens 65 years old or older will be able to attend the game for free. Children under the age of six will also be able to attend the game for free.

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‘A lot safer now’

“I feel a lot safer now,” said attendee Andrew Edwards before the games.

Edwards grew up near west Charlotte and still goes to as many games as he can. He said he’s more comfortable going Friday after seeing the restrictions put in place.

“People getting caught up in incidents that they have nothing to do with, and a lot of them end up being catastrophic,” he said.

“We need structure,” said attendee Patricia Mazyck. “We need protection for people who want to go to these games.”

Mazyck says she used to go to the games but stopped due to fights.

“You don’t want to go to the game, you’re looking over and being afraid, you know,” she said. “You want to sit and enjoy yourself.”

“Take all the precautions that are necessary to keep everybody safe so they can enjoy events like this without having to worry about it,” Edwards said. “They’re going to make it back home.”

Security personnel, CMS police and Charlotte-Mecklenburg police will be at Friday’s games.

CMS said they come up with these guidelines for each game based on safety assessments that include stadium size and parking. They released a statement regarding the changes, saying:

“We want to ensure the safety and security of all who attend Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools sporting events. Recent disruptions at games led to the new guidelines for these two particular football matchups, specific to this evening’s games. Both are high-profile games with a great deal of fan interest. One is a homecoming game.

“Security personnel will be on-site and visible as usual, along with CMSPD and CMPD, to help ensure that fans have an enjoyable experience and that the teams on the field are able to play without interruption. Game protocols and guidelines are determined by specific site circumstances such as stadium size, parking and through assessments made by safety teams and athletics.”

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