South Bend Schools announce COVID-19 protocols for winter sports

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The South Bend Community School Corporation has released its protocols for handling the winter athletics season. Winter sports include basketball, swimming and wrestling.

These protocols came after receiving approval from St. Joseph County Deputy Health Officer Dr. Mark Fox.

“The health and safety guidelines we’ve developed allow our student athletes, coaches, and spectators as safe an experience as possible, given the challenges posed by the pandemic. We’re grateful for the caution and care being exercised by the community as we look ahead to the winter athletics season,” said Director of Athletics and School Learning, Howard T. Edwards.

All current athletics safety protocols require:

• Mask wearing
• Social distancing
• Multiple hand sanitizer stations at events
• Maximum indoor capacity of 300 attendees for high school
• Maximum indoor capacity of 150 attendees for middle school
• (Capacity limits include athletes, cheerleaders, pep band, and essential personnel)

Added protocols for basketball require:

• Tickets will be pre-sold to two family members (children may be permitted with adult) per home school and visiting student competitors
• Cheerleaders and pep band (25 max) are permitted to participate during home games only

Swimming protocols require:

• No spectators allowed due to capacity and spacing limitations

Wrestling protocols require:

• Tickets are pre-sold to parents/guardians only (2 total) each for participating student-athlete