GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) – Since rolling out its fall sports plan for spectators and athletes, Grand Island Public Schools officials said their goal is to keep schools open and give students a safe way to participate in activities.

There are about 550 student athletes that play in fall sports at GISH. If all goes according to plan, they’ll get to play this year in front of a smaller crowd.

Restrictions vary by sport. For the most part, athletes are required to wear masks when not playing on the field, court or course.

Volleyball is the exception. Cindy Wells, Activities Director at Grand Island Senior High School, said since it’s an indoor sport, players are practicing with masks on. She said they plan to continue that during games.

“Our kids – they’re the ones who are making this happen, because they are following the guidelines that have been set up and they know that they might play a game today and not be able to play tomorrow. They want to compete,” Wells said.

Fans are limited to four tickets per athlete. Student athletes can submit up to eight names of immediate family members to be put on a rotating list. Staff will check names off that list before people go into the sporting event. This allows GIPS to keep a consistent roll call so if there is a COVID-19 outbreak, the health department will know who to contact.

All coaches and spectators must wear masks at all times. Groups will be socially distanced in the stands.

“We need to be positive, because this is for the kids,” Wells said. “We want our kids to stay in school. If we get to the fall, then we have a winter season; we get through the winter, then we have a spring season.”

Due to the difficulty of managing crowds at Centura Hills Golf Course, cross country is the only fall sport that won’t have fans at home meets.

Concessions won’t be provided at games. There may be water bottles available in some instances.

GISH is not allowing fans from visiting teams to attend games. Dancers, cheerleaders and the band will be able to attend games in some capacity. The school is still evaluating if having a student section will be possible.

“If we do have any students they will probably be our seniors,” said Dr. Tawana Grover, Superintendent of Grand Island Public Schools. “So we’re just trying to look at how to best be able to offer that opportunity.”

GIPS first established a “pandemic team” in March to navigate how to handle the situation. Grover said their primary objective is to keep students learning in school buildings. Second to that is keeping students engaged in activities and athletics. If that goes well, the school will look at more opportunities for family and friends to be part of the events.

“I think it is extremely important that we focus our energy around encouraging our students,” Grover said. “This is a unique time for them too. They are playing in the middle of a pandemic, and while they are resilient, when the adults can create that positive environment for them, I believe that that’s going to give them a greater confidence about their decision to continue to play and perform within the activities that they’ve chosen.”

Grover said they’ll continue to evaluate and monitor the situation to see if any changes can be made down the road.

GISH is live-streaming home varsity football and volleyball games. Staff are working on ways to stream softball games and an upcoming cross country meet in September.

Copyright 2020 KSNB. All rights reserved.