ROCKINGHAM — During Tuesday’s Richmond County Board of Education meeting, details about more spectators being allowed into Raider Stadium for football games were finalized.
The new spectator numbers were determined following the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ “interim guidance for indoor and outdoor small and medium venues” document.
With the Richmond Senior High School varsity football team just days away from opening its season on the road at Pinecrest High School, the program’s first game won’t be played at home until March 12 against Jack Britt.
The junior varsity program will play its second game of the season at home on Thursday, which will see the newly released spectator increase put in effect.
Last week, Gov. Roy Cooper announced he was easing stadium and sporting venue restrictions. Previously, only 100 fans were allowed into outdoor stadiums, but that has since been changed to allow up to 30% of the stadium’s capacity. Indoor venues are able to hold as many as 250 spectators.
Rob Ransom, Richmond’s athletic director, explained that Richmond will open its gates to more fans, but the school is not allowing the maximum of approximately 1,800 fans based on the 30% capacity limit.
“Due to Gov. Cooper allowing up to 30% capacity at athletic events, we are now able to open events to more spectators,” Ransom said in an email. “However, there are still rules that will apply.
“We are unable to provide the opportunity to remain socially distanced at 30%. Therefore, we will be allowing only 1,000 spectators,” he added. “Four hundred of these fans will be parents of players and cheerleaders of both teams and coaches’ families.”
Ransom also said that “booster membership and reserved seating of any type” will not be sold during the 2021 football season because it would hinder the school’s ability to socially distance fans inside the stadium.
If fans have already purchased either one, Ransom said those packages will be honored for the fall season.
“We are in the process of going to digital tickets,” Ransom’s email said. “After this week, all tickets for Raider sporting events will be sold online through gofan.com.”
Tickets for Wednesday’s home soccer match, as well as Thursday’s junior varsity football game, will have to be purchased at the gate. The Raider soccer team is now allowed to have up to 250 spectators at its home games.
Head football coach Bryan Till reacted to the news by saying it was “exciting” to have more than 100 fans at games and that parents and spectators will be allowed to travel to away games. He added, however, he was disappointed that Raider Stadium won’t be at its 30% capacity.
“One of the special things about Raider football is our fans and I want all of them to know we still appreciate all of their support, especially during these tough times,” Till said. “I continue to be hopeful that we will be able to add more fans as some of the restrictions can be lifted.
“Regardless, this team and coaching staff will continue to work hard and play the games to the best of our ability. We are doing everything we can to uphold the longstanding tradition of excellence here at Richmond Senior High School.”
Till added that “it is especially disconcerting that fans have to be seated when spreading out in the open air.” He explained that he believes standing around the facility would be “even safer” than sitting in the stands.
“This seated rule seems to be the sticking point for not allowing more fans, and if it was to go away, then we would have the ability to allow more fans into games based on our actual capacity,” Till said.
Below are other stipulations that Ransom said the Richmond Senior High School athletic department will follow during football season:
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Anyone can attend.
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Only NCHSAA and press passes are allowed.
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Fans must remain seated at all times unless going to the restroom.
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Concessions will not be opened.
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No outside food or drinks.
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Fans must remain socially distant in the bleachers, which will be marked.
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Masks must be worn at all times.
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School-age and up must purchase a ticket.
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Anyone that refuses to sit will be asked to leave and cannot attend any further events.
“The Raider athletic department appreciates your support and understanding during this difficult time,” Ransom closed.
