Sandusky Bay Conference member schools have been meeting throughout the summer in preparation for the possibility of playing all fall sports. Following Gov. Mike DeWine’s announcement last week, the schools, coaches and player are ready to go.

The most difficult part has been planning for a safe environment for student-athletes, school personnel, and event personnel, which have been dealing with a conference that covers five counties. Consistency has been a goal from Day 1, but as we all work through this, we have come to realize that our diverse facilities have been a constant reminder of how different our local schools really are.

The conference is simply ecstatic our student-athletes have the ability to compete against other student-athletes from opposing schools. In order to keep them competing, we request that members of the general public understand that they will not be able to join the actual events.

An Ohio High School Athletics Association (OHSSA) administrative update was issued last Tuesday and again on Wednesday, including this note about attendance restrictions: Spectator capacity for our events will be limited, with the specific details to be listed in the guidance pieces. As Gov. DeWine mentioned yesterday, an emphasis will be on allowing families and loved ones to see students participate.

The SBC guidelines will meet those given to us by the Governor, as well as those from the OHSAA, said SBC executive secretary Gregg Hedden.

The percentage of tickets will be 15% of fixed seating capacity. Attendance at venues will vary depending on seating capacity.

For those in attendance, the Governor has requested all must wear masks and comply with social distancing requirements. As officials travel throughout the conference, and even outside the conference, items such as capacity for visiting fans, how tickets are to be distributed (examples: presale, vouchers) will vary depending on the venues and local school regulations.

The SBC’s No. 1 goal, as a conference, is to protect everyone involved as best we can and to allow our student-athletes the chance to get through this season with an opportunity to move into OHSAA tournaments.