Cedarcrest Sports Updates - March 2021
March 15, 2021
WESCO CONFERENCE APPROVES PLANS TO ALLOW HOME SPECTATORS
On Monday morning, March 15, 2021, the Western High School Athletic Conference (WESCO) Athletic Directors approved a plan allowing home team spectators to attend WESCO High School athletic contests, with local control. This decision follows Governor Jay Inslee’s announcement that all Counties in Washington State will be moving to Phase 3 in the Governor’s Roadmap to Recovery, beginning March 22, 2021.
Beginning on Thursday, March 18, only home spectators will be permitted to attend. Individual schools and districts will announce logistics, numbers of spectators, and district-specific plans and protocols for attendance.
Cedarcrest will share these plans and protocols by Wednesday evening, March 17.
The first athletic event with spectators permitted will be the JV and Varsity Volleyball matches versus Mariner High School in the Cedarcrest gymnasium. Livestreaming of home games will also continue at this time, for maximum access.
The WESCO Conference Press Release, issued earlier today, follows:
“With Governor Inslee’s announcement that all Counties in Washington State are moving to Phase 3, the Western Conference Athletic Directors approved a plan to allow home team spectators to attend WESCO High School athletic contests, with local control, starting Thursday March 18, 2021.
Here are the specifics:
- Local Superintendent control will still be in place.
- Only Home Spectators will be allowed to attend.
- Each individual District/School will determine its own logistics and number of spectators.
- Schools will continue to Live Stream events to accommodate visiting fans and those home fans that choose not to attend.
Per the Governors announcement and with WIAA clarification, the following restrictions are in place for Phase 3 high school spectator attendance.
- For outdoor facilities with permanent seating, up to 1,600 spectators, schools may operate at 50% capacity or a maximum of 400 people, whichever is fewer.
- For outdoor facilities with permanent seating for more than 1,600 spectators, schools may operate at 25% capacity.
- Physical distancing requirements of six feet of separation must be maintained in all seating arrangements which may limit the capacity number further than the guidelines listed.
- Phase 3 Outdoor guidelines indicate that participants, officials, coaches, and staff do not count toward the capacity restrictions as they did in Phases 1 and 2.
- Indoor activities in Phase 3 may have up to 400 individuals at an event or at 50% capacity, whichever is fewer. For indoor activities, participants, coaches, officials, and staff do still count toward the capacity restrictions.
WESCO AD’s declined allowing fans in Phase 2 to put the focus on creating a safe and functional environment for our student-athletes and coaches. Now that schools have some experience in hosting events, we are excited to be able to welcome our home spectators in a limited capacity. As each District and facilities are unique, specifics for total numbers and which home fans will be able to attend, will be determined at the local level. It should be noted that each individual District anticipates receiving guidance from their local risk management groups and the Department of Health as part of the implementation process."
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March 5, 2021
Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), the Western High School Athletic Conference (WESCO), the Riverview School District (RSD), and Cedarcrest High School (CHS) are all excited to schedule high school sports again while continuing to keep students, staff, and families safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are elated to have all three sports seasons available in six-week segments.
Recently, questions have been asked about spectator attendance during CHS competitions. WESCO drives that decision. The following is taken directly from the WESCO Website:
Spectators
- Spectators will not be permitted to attend contests at this time.
- Each home school may broadcast (live stream) contests at this time.
- Cheer will be allowed at home events.
- Home Band/Drumline and other school-based performance groups at home events will be allowed based on DOH recommendations.
- Credentialed media must contact home team for limited access into venue.
Further details on protocols for athletics and athletic events can be viewed on the WESCO website through the link below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bp8EJS9EpFJHdG2iLQO0vC53PtqlfmiT/view
In many cases, events will be livestreamed. The most up-to-date link to access live streams for Cedarcrest sports teams is available on the Engage website.
https://www.engage.rsd407.org/chssports
Besides student-athlete drop-off and pick-up, the public will not be allowed on campus during athletic practices and events. This is to ensure the health and safety of student-athletes, staff, and other event management and officials.
Information about Cedarcrest athletic events and schedules can be found by visiting the WESCO Conference's Cedarcrest Red Wolves website, linked below:
https://cedarcrestredwolves.com/