COLUMBUS — Many high school sports fans in Ohio will have to rely on other means to follow their schools in regional and state tournaments in the coming days due to an attempt to slow the spread of the Coronavirus.
Following the directive of Gov. Mike DeWine, the Ohio High School Athletic Association has declared only limited numbers of fans will have access to attend boys and girls athletics beginning Wednesday due to the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus COVID-19.
Through the limiting of large events, our goal is to dramatically slow down the spread of #COVID19 and save lives. Now is the time to take action. #COVID19OhioReady
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 10, 2020
In a press release, OHSAA cited DeWine announcing Tuesday afternoon that all indoor sporting events in Ohio, including high school, collegiate and professional sports, shall continue without most spectators in attendance as Ohio seeks to contain the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19.
Ongoing and upcoming tournaments include girls basketball state tournament, boys basketball regional and state tournaments, wrestling state tournament and ice hockey state tournament.
OHSAA Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass said in the release that the organization will follow the governor’s wishes.
“This will be a very difficult time for our schools and fans, but we cannot ignore the directive of the Governor,” OHSAA Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass said. “We are pleased that our tournaments can continue and we will soon determine who can attend. However, we can already say that it will most likely be no more than the immediate family of the student-athletes participating in the event.”
During a press conference, Snodgrass said the exact number of family members each athlete can bring has not been finalized, but believes the number will be approximately four people.
DeWine tweeted he does not recommend the media be among those not permitted to attend the games.
To be clear: I do recommend that the media be among those permitted to attend sporting events. https://t.co/zSSQL7Fy7s
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 10, 2020
Iconic Rock Q92.7 WQEL and Crawford County Now will be in attendance at Bowling Green State University for the D3 and D2 boys basketball regional tournament.
Colonel Crawford plays Ottawa Glandorf on Wednesday at 8 p.m., and Upper Sandusky plays Lima Shawnee on Thursday at 6:15 p.m. WQEL will be broadcasting both games and Crawford County Now will provide updates.