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By ABBY SLANKER
Canfield Local Schools is being proactive when it comes to the safety of their student athletes and coaching staff on the football field.
The school has implemented the issuing of field passes to cut down on the number of people allowed on the sidelines during home football games.
“We are now limiting the number of people allowed on the sidelines for our home football games. This is for the safety of our players and our coaching staff. There was a discussion at the OHSAA league meeting and there was some concern about the interaction of officials and fans. It is a liability to have fans on the sidelines. We are being proactive because we feel if we show others this can be done, they will follow our example. The league will vote on a rule for next year, and it could be implemented and we will be ahead of the game,” said Canfield Local School Superintendent Alex Geordan.
According to Geordan, the media will still have access to the field and will be given a media pass. A list will also be provided with the names of people who can have access to the sidelines.
“What it really comes down to is a safety issue. We want to be able to control the atmosphere on the sidelines and keep everyone safe. The more people who are on the sidelines, the chances are greater that something could be said or done to impact the outcome of the game, which takes the control of the game out of the hands of the students athletes and coaching staff. It is a home team decision, so if the opposing team does not have these rules or is not in our league, they can make their own decision,” Geordan said.