GAME DAY FYI for 8/30/20

It’s Tuesday!!!!  Which means this is the traditional publishing day for Game week FYI’s.  Please read this one thoroughly as many things will be different from a typical game day.  Keep an open mind and read this FYI though the lens of, “we weren’t even sure if we’d be able to play football or have the band attend games in general 2 weeks ago.”
 
Ticket Sales
 
Tickets are at a premium for all football games and many parents and families want access to the game. The reality is Governor DeWine’s guidelines for sporting events capped the spectator occupancy at 15% inside the stadiums.
 
Band senior parents will be issued 2 tickets for every home game.  All other band parents will be issued 1 ticket for home games.  Ticket sales are though Hometown ticketing and accolated by student id number.  This ticket plan is for sporting events only and DOES NOT impact the ticketing plan for band shows.  Once the link is live the boosters and I will share with our band families.  
 
This might sound unfair to some but I assure you this was the only solution that allowed every student the opportunity to have a family member there to support them. To be very candid, we anticipated this type of ticketing scheme for games and planned the additional in-town band shows to soften this news for parents of Marching Tigers. 
 
Parent Volunteers
 
Field passes for parent volunteers have been capped.  I’m able to have 8 volunteers to help unload equipment from the box trucks, move podiums into position during performance, assist the pit with equipment and help load gear back onto the trucks after the game.  Seating for the volunteers will be chairs issued by the school on the track.  (no personal lawn chairs)
 
Priority will be given to volunteers in the following order:  Executive booster members, booster committee chairs and their volunteers, senior parents (in good standing), Junior parents (in good standing) etc.  Keep in mind, game day volunteers are working hard when the game is not being played.  Be prepared to assist in the necessary capacity. 
 
Student Uniform and needs
 
All students will wear their summer uniforms for Sunday.  This includes the same uniform expectations regarding oversized jewelry and hair. Sunglasses are permitted but hats are not.  Headbands for those who need them must be school colors. (purple/white/black)  Wear your white shoes with white ankle socks. All students are expected to bring their own water jugs into the stadium. This will be a long event in the sun, do not show up with one small plastic water bottle. Students must bring a mask to the game. 
 
 
Student Drop-off and pick-up
Students and parents are asked to drop off/park in the visitor’s parking behind the visitor’s bleachers. A band staff member will meet all the students in the parking lot for a quick warm-up then block up in (socially distant) rows of two and parade in and around the stadium.
 
Pick-up will happen in the same area. Parents, keep in mind the alley that runs beside the stadium is one way only. Familiarize yourself with this area before arrival, it will save you time, frustration and help you avoid the traffic off hill road. (although with 15% capacity traffic shouldn’t be a huge issue…)
 
 
Social Distancing in the end-zone
 
We will be using chairs to sit in while performing during the game. Each row and file will be spaced out by 6 feet. It is preferred that instrument cases stay in your cars, but if this is unavoidable, they can be stowed underneath the seats to prevent any trips or falls in the band stand area.  
 
Feeding the band
 
The band boosters will provide a snack under each seat for kids during the 3rd quarter of the game. Students will not be allowed to go to concessions during the 3rd quarter due to social distancing protocol.  Students will have access to the restrooms but must wear their mask. I expect everyone to report to the stadium on Sunday properly fed and hydrated. Doing so will ensure that you have a pleasurable game day experience.
 
Timeline for Sunday
 
9:00                 Band room open at central – Begin equipment runs to Tiger Stadium
10:30                Band room Closed – No access after this time.
11:00                 All Marching Tigers report behind the visitors bleachers for warm-up and  attendance.
11:42                  Preset off the field for Pregame
11:45                  Start pregame performance
11:50                 Perform the Star Spangled Banner
11:52                 Exit the field
12:03               Kick-off Starts, coverage on ESPN2
3:30                This is a rough estimate of when the game will be over. Please look for a tweet or
                        communicate with your student at the end of the game.
TBD                 The band room will be open for roughly 30-40 minutes at the conclusion of the game.