With the start of the fall sports season, Columbus High School has released their protocol for activities for the fall and precautionary steps that are being taken to ensure the safety of all involved. The current DHM restricts outdoor events to 75% capacity and indoor events to 50% capacity. To meet these requirements, the general public attendance for Football and Volleyball events will be limited to 4 tickets per participant family to ensure meeting the guidelines. This includes parents of band, cheer and diamond dancers. Dr. Troy Loeffelholz stated, “It is of the utmost importance that our students, staff, and community follow these guidelines. We want our students to experience all of the great things about activities at Columbus Public Schools. If we cannot do these things, then we cannot guarantee a full season of competitions or performances. We all need to do our part to mitigate the chances of contracting symptoms or the virus itself.”
The upcoming home events for Columbus High School are:
Volleyball: 8/27/2020 at Columbus High School vs Fremont
Football: 8/28/2020 at Memorial Stadium vs Scottsbluff
Boys Tennis: 9/3/2020 at Gerrard Park vs Elkhorn
Cross Country: 9/10/2020 at Lutjelusche Course vs South Sioux City, Bennington, Elkhorn and
Norfolk
Girls Golf: 9/21/2020 at Elks Country Club vs Norfolk
A full listing of every activity can be found at www.godiscoverers.com
General Guidelines for All Events
All spectators for all events are asked to:
● Self-screen and take temperature at home prior to the event. If you feel ill, please stay
home.
● Required to wear a mask at all times.
● Required to sign a waiver.
● Are asked to bring the exact change - $6 for adults & $4 for students.
● Following the completion of the event, all fans/spectators/students are asked to leave
the site in a timely manner. We ask you to respect physical distancing with players and
coaches throughout and following the contest.
All coaches and players of every event are asked to:
● Self-screen prior to entering the facility or complex.
● All players are required to wear a mask when not competing and social distance as
much as possible throughout the event. Bring your own hand sanitizer and use
frequently.
● All coaches/managers are required to wear a mask at all times and social distance as
much as possible throughout the game.
● Players/Teams are required to bring their own water bottles/containers. A water faucet
WILL NOT be available.
● At the completion of the event all team members and staff are asked to leave in a timely
manner.
● There will be no shaking of hands following the completion of the event.
Softball
Spectators, in addition to the general guidelines:
● May bring their own chair (no bleacher seating) sit 6 feet apart (unless with family
members) in open space down the first and third baseline- physical distancing is
required.
● A limited concession stand will be available.
● Only three individuals in the restroom at one time.
Coaches & Players in addition to the general guidelines:
● Pregame responsibilities are limited to one coach from each team and the umpire
maintaining physical distance. Any verbal exchange between coach/umpire and any
game operations personnel should be done by maintaining physical distancing.
● Coaches are responsible for sanitizing softballs periodically throughout the contest.
● An extended dugout is available to social distance players.
● Dugout is limited to coaches and essential game personnel only.
Volleyball
Spectators, in addition to the general guidelines:
● In addition to the general guidelines, spectators are expected to sit 6 feet apart (unless
with family members) in the marked seats. Each participant's family is allocated 4
tickets.
● Concessions will be allowed as conditions permit.
● Only 4 individuals in the restroom at one time.
Coaches & Players in addition to the general guidelines:
● Players/teams are required to bring their own water bottles/containers. A touchless
hydration station is available by the restrooms.
● If using a locker room or training room, masks must be worn at all times.
● During all pregame, game and post-game responsibilities, coaches, players, event
personnel and officials are required to maintain appropriate physical distance. Any
verbal exchanges should be done by maintaining physical distancing.
● Coaches or their designee are responsible for sanitizing volleyballs periodically
throughout the contest or insert new ones as necessary. These will be placed at the
scoring table.
● The sideline is limited to coaches/players and essential game staff only.
● Bench seating will be arranged to allow for social distancing.
Football, Band, Cheer & Dance
Spectators, in addition to the general guidelines:
● Everyone is expected to sit 6 feet apart (unless with family members) in open space
designated in each row. Each participant's family is allocated 4 tickets.
● Concessions will be offered as conditions permit.
● Only 10 individuals in the restroom at one time.
Coaches & Players in addition to the general guidelines:
● Players/teams are required to bring their own water bottles/containers. Water is
available on the sideline to refill if necessary.
● If using a locker room or training room, masks must be worn at all times.
● During all pregame, game and post-game responsibilities, coaches, players, event
personnel and officials are required to maintain appropriate physical distance. Any
verbal exchanges should be done by maintaining physical distancing.
● Coaches or their designee are responsible for sanitizing footballs periodically throughout
the contest or insert new ones as necessary.
● Sidelines are limited to coaches and essential game personnel only.
Boys Tennis
Spectators, in addition to the general guidelines:
● Spectators are asked to bring their own chair (no bleacher seating) sit 6 feet apart
(unless with family members) in open space around the tennis courts.
● Only one individual in the restroom at one time.
Coaches & Players, in addition to the general guidelines:
● Players/teams are required to bring their own water bottles/containers. A water faucet
WILL NOT be available.
● All pre-match responsibilities between coaches require physical distancing and all verbal
exchanges coach:coach and/or coach:player should be done by maintaining physical
distancing.
● Coaches or their designee are responsible for sanitizing tennis balls periodically
throughout the event or inserting new ones.
Cross Country
Spectators, in addition to the general guidelines:
● Restricted to the roped off designated area or areas. Spectators will not have access to
the full course. We ask that you please keep physical distance.
● Encouraged to stay in their cars until their child competes and leave in a timely manner
following their runner finishes to avoid congregating.
Coaches & Runners, in addition to the general guidelines:
● Teams will be assigned to a designated team camp area or be expected to stay in their
team bus or area.
● Starting boxes will be spaced to allow for social distance between teams.
● Teams will not report to the starting line until called by the starter
● Use of an expanded finish to chute to reduce overcrowding.
● All non-competing runners will need to distance themselves from the finish line.
Girls Golf
Spectators, in addition to the general guidelines:
● Restricted to the starting tee. Spectators will not have access to the full course. We ask
that you please keep physical distance.
Coaches & Players, in addition to the general guidelines:
● Are asked to be quick and efficient while on the course.
● Arrive at the tee box 5 minutes before the start.
● Do not remove the flagstick to prevent touching.
● In the case of inclement weather, teams should return to their vehicles rather than the
clubhouse to avoid congregating.
● Digital scoring will be used if or when available.
● Scorecards will not be exchanged or require signatures
● Only players are allowed on the practice range and putting/chipping greens.
The protocol for each sport was developed based on guidance from the Heartland Athletic
Conference, NSAA, the National Federation of High School Sports and the East Central District
Health Department in partnership with Columbus Community Hospital.
“The safety of our athletes, coaches, and spectators is one of our highest priorities. Columbus
Public Schools have spent a considerable amount of time planning for a safe environment for
students to perform, compete, and showcase their talents,” Director of Athletics and Activities
stated. “As we approach away contests we will communicate with our families the restrictions
that may be in place. We are excited that our kids will have the opportunity to have a fall
season. It may not look the same, but if protocols are followed we have an excellent opportunity
of completing an entire fall season.”