Local school districts have new safety guidelines in place for inside and outside the classroom this academic year because of COVID-19. Changes are even coming for student athletics.

Kerry Pfeil, athletic director at the Greater Johnstown School District, says fans won’t be allowed at any student athletic games.

While it will be quiet at Trojan Stadium this year, Pfeil says the school district has installed cameras that will bring the game to fans.

Pfeil says he had a goal of installing the NFHS cameras before the pandemic, but now they’re serving a larger purpose.

“What this camera allows us to do is live stream all of our games to the community, to college recruiters, to a family member who is serving overseas. They can now watch their son, daughter, grandchild play football live streamed in real time right to their computer or cellphone device,” said Pfeil.

With one camera set up on the football field and one inside the gym Pfiel says Trojan fans will be able to watch football, soccer, basketball, wrestling and more at the junior high, JV and Varsity levels.

“It runs on an algorithm and it’s programmed to focus on the football the basketball and make that the center of the screen. However, what we’re able to do with this when there’s a cheerleading competition, band competition we can have the camera stay still and shoot straight down on the mat or the competition to bring all that action to the fans as well,” said Pfeil.

Pfeil says it cost the school district $2,000 to install the two cameras and if someone is interested in the NFHS service it’s a $6.99 monthly fee or $69.99 yearly fee.

While you can watch student athletic games live Pfeil says you can also go back and re-watch them as well and watch any school playing that has the NFHS system.

“It was just a no-brainer when it comes to saving money and providing better opportunities to our community,” said Pfeil.

Before students return to school and to the field, Pfeil says he’s working on an information packet to send out to let people know how they can sign up for the streaming service.