Fall Sports Guidelines
Bishop Watterson Families,

It has been a wild ride this summer trying to determine whether our athletes would be able to participate in fall sports. Now that the Governor has given us the go ahead, I believe we all share in the responsibility to adhere to the following protocols and cherish this opportunity. Cooperation from coaches, parents, and student athletes will be vital if we are to complete our season. Thank you to our coaches for all of their time and efforts this summer in bringing our kids back to train. While not perfect, we did an excellent job of maintaining the guidelines set forth.

Now that the fall season is about to start, we all have to remain vigilant and not let our guard down. Please, if you or your athlete shows symptoms of Covid-19, STAY HOME! The athletic staff at Bishop Watterson will be strictly adhering to the guidelines set forth for both home and away contests. As always, our overwhelming objective is to provide a safe environment for our athletes. Everything else is secondary to giving our kids the chance to compete. This school year and athletic year WILL NOT BE NORMAL.

Following are general guidelines for our home events that are in conjunction with the latest health order from the Director of Health of the State of Ohio. If your child plays a fall sport, I would ask you to please read these guidelines very carefully to avoid issues later. The Franklin County Health Department has made it very clear that they will be sending representatives out to make certain we are adhering to the health order. Please help us by following protocols so we are not shut down.
As with all things here at Bishop Watterson we expect our community to be a shining example of how to follow rules and show our neighborhood, Ohio High School Athletic Association, and the Columbus area that we can get this done the right way. 

Thank you for all of your support! Go Eagles!
Doug Etgen
Athletic Director
detgen@cdeducation.org
Home Game Day Covid-19 Procedures and Protocols

Athletes/Coaches
  • All players and coaches must be screened for temperatures and symptoms prior to competing
  • Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet when not on the field
  • Athletes and coaches must wear face coverings when not on field
  • Players are not to share water bottles
  • Locker rooms WILL NOT be available
Officials/Workers
  • All officials game workers/personnel must be screened for temperatures and symptoms prior to competition
  •  Face coverings are required when entering or leaving the facility
  • Officials locker rooms will not be available
Spectators
  • All spectators must self-assess for symptoms prior to entering the facility
  • Spectators are expected to maintain social distancing of 6 feet from other spectators who are not in their household while anywhere in the facility
  • Spectators are required to wear face coverings while in the facility
  • Concessions will NOT be available; please feel free to bring your own liquid refreshments. As with all BWHS athletic events, alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
  • We will allow 2 spectators per non-senior athlete and 4 spectators per senior athlete who will be checked in upon arrival (except for varsity football which will distribute separately)
  • We will use every other row in our bleacher area (red for JV, gold for varsity for soccer, field hockey and lower level football (freshman/JV), gold only for varsity football) For volleyball we have every other row clearly marked.
  • Our bleachers in the gymnasium and on the back field are all marked in twos. For senior athletes receiving 4 tickets we ask you to please still seat in twos to maximize capacity
  • Once spectators choose a spot to view, even in standing room areas, they need to remain and not mingle or congregate
  • Once spectators pay and are in facility there is NO RE-ENTRY permitted
  • ·Both the County Health Department and OHSAA will be sending representatives to monitor our adherence to protocols and do have the ability to shut us down
  • Entry fee will be $5 for volleyball, soccer, and field hockey. Entry fee will be $7 for varsity football and $2 for freshman and JV football
  •  VISITOR BLEACHERS ARE FOR VISITORS. PLEASE GIVE OUR GUESTS THE ABILITY TO BE SEATED
  • Bringing in own chairs to use in approved designated standing room areas is allowed
  • Spectators/athletes will be asked to exit the facility after their specific competition is completed so cleaning and seating of the following game’s spectators can occur
  • Varsity fans are encouraged NOT to arrive until the JV game is completed. This should be easy in lower level football, soccer and field hockey. For volleyball use your best judgement to arrive at a time when freshmen, then JV end (we encourage texting other parents to get updates)
  • ·Absolutely no tailgating or other congregating of people will be allowed in Bishop Watterson parking lots and will be enforced by Columbus police.
  • Gates will open a half hour before the contest begins for all sports except varsity football, where they will open an hour before game time