Hot NewsLCPS Will Prohibit All Spectators From Winter Sports
Michael Delano | November 10, 2020
In an email sent out November 9, Loudoun County Public Schools announced that it will prohibit all spectators from attending sporting events in the winter. As an alternative, LCPS did announce that it will livestream the sporting events via a subscription model.
The email is below.
To LCPS Families of Students in Grades 8 to 12:
On Thursday, October 29, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signed the fourth amended Executive Order 67, which includes changes to Section 12 related to recreational sports. These changes allow the Virginia High School League (VHSL) “Championship + 1” schedule to begin playing in December as scheduled.
Following a careful review of LCPS facilities and the potential for effectively applying recommended public health mitigation strategies, LCPS has determined that the best option at this time is to prohibit all spectators from attending our athletic competitions. We know how enthusiastic many LCPS fans are regarding team sports, and appreciate that this decision will be disappointing to many. We believe it is in the best interests of all to start the season this way, out of an abundance of caution.
No decision has been made about spectators at sporting events after Season 1 (winter sports). Separate decisions will be made regarding sports in Season 2 and Season 3 as we continue to monitor local health data, health mitigation strategies, and other factors.
We will begin with no spectators to acclimate our schools with the new mitigation strategies for teams, cheerleaders, officials, medical personnel, and event staff. The successful implementation of the mitigation strategies will provide our student athletes the best opportunity to participate in competitions throughout their respective athletic season, and reduce the chances that schedules may be impacted by inadvertent exposure to the COVID virus.
Viewing Alternatives
The safest method for spectators to watch athletic competitions and the lowest risk for exposure is live streaming. Coincidentally, through a cooperative arrangement with The NFHS Network, 54 Pixellot cameras have been installed in LCPS high school sports venues this past school year.
The Pixellot cameras are unmanned, computer-controlled panoramic cameras that capture an entire field or court and bring automated live and on-demand coverage of non-televised high school sports to audiences around the country. The cameras use algorithms to automatically produce and broadcast HD sports contests and highlights. LCPS agreed to install these cameras to provide alternative viewing access for family members who otherwise could not attend athletic events, and to expand access to include all LCPS high schools.
Fans of any of the 17 Loudoun County High Schools can subscribe to the NFHS Network and enjoy full access to all Loudoun County high school athletic events, as well as high school sports from around the nation.
Details about subscribing to the NFHS Network follow.
Fans may subscribe by following the instructions below:
By Subscribing to the NFHS Network you get full access to all content on the Network for our school and any other broadcast Nationwide!
Subscribing is easy:
- Go to NFHSnetwork.com
2. Enter (SCHOOL NAME) in the search box
3. Click “Follow” so you can stay up to date on all upcoming (MASCOT) broadcasted events
4. Click “Subscribe” for all subscription options for our school
Monthly Pass Pricing: $10.99
Annual Pass Pricing: $69.99
