The Next Step for Pennridge Sports

The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted people all around the globe. Not only has the pandemic affected our education, but also school sports. Pennridge High School, located in Perkasie, PA, has recently announced they are going to a 50% capacity, doubling the capacity it stood at before. Prior to this switch, players were given a maximum of 4 tickets to hand out to family and friends. Of course, it is still mandatory to follow the COVID-19 guidelines put in place by the state to entail safety, which includes mask wearing and social distancing. 

           When students at Pennridge High School were asked if increasing the capacity to 50% was a good decision or not, one anonymous student responded “At least 50%, if not more should be allowed due to the decreased Covid numbers.” Fall and winter school sports were only at a 25% capacity for their whole season with only close family and friends being allowed to come. This year has brought many hardships, and some feel like this is a step in the right direction. Pennridge recently took away the hybrid learning option and are currently back in school full time. These two steps allow students an easy transition to going back to a normal life. 

             Sara Casey, a senior, and lacrosse player here at Pennridge was asked how she felt with larger crowds in the audience. She responded, “we have a large facility so I feel safe as long as the bleachers are used and families are not on top of each other.” Many of the other students had the same answer as Sara did. In one anonymous response, a student stated “as long as people follow covid guidelines and stay spaced out it should be allowed.” On the other hand there were multiple students who felt otherwise. In another anonymous response, a student said “no, it’s unsafe and people won’t follow the covid guidelines.” Spring sports being all outdoors allows for an easier transition to welcome larger capacities.  

                Mackenzie Herbst, another senior, and lacrosse player at Pennridge says she is looking forward to welcoming a larger audience. “I personally like having fans at games because it shows that they care and makes it feel different from a practice.” The crowd cheering allows players to feel better about how they are playing. As long as people follow COVID-19 guidelines and social distance, increasing capacity shouldn’t be an issue.