News

The Humboldt-Del Norte League has announced new guidelines for spectators at high school sporting events for the winter season that will allow each student-athlete to have up to four family members attend beginning Jan. 24.

The announcement from Commissioner Jack Lakin states that family members will need to enter as a group and follow the masking requirements once they are inside.

"To maximize attendance opportunities for family members, the gyms will be 'cleared out' between each game and then the next group of family members will enter the facilities," Lakin states in the announcement. "For smooth transitions between games, your prompt departure and patience while waiting to enter is greatly appreciated."

The league received a backlash after announcing Jan. 6 that superintendents of participating schools had voted 6-4 to ban spectators until at least until Jan. 23 in an effort to slow spread of the highly contagious Omicron COVID-19 variant locally and keep schools open for in-person instruction and student athletes competing. (Read more about the league’s decision in the Jan. 13 Journal cover story here.)

"In support of these priorities, the superintendents and the Humboldt-Del Norte League remind the community to fulfill the CDPH requirement for being masked in all high school buildings and all indoor high school athletic events," Latkin states.

After thoughtful consideration and discussion, the Superintendents from the HDNL reached a consensus regarding new spectator guidelines for the remainder of the 2022 Winter Sports Season.

The group’s discussions were focused on the following priorities:
1. Preserve in-school instruction for all students
2. Preserve the opportunities for student-athletes to participate in competition
3. Provide a framework for Family Members to attend scheduled HDNL games/wrestling contests
4. Avoid the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) defined Mega Events of 500 people or more, requiring Vaccine Verification or Negative Testing for all attendees age 2 and older

Starting Monday, January 24, each student-athlete will be able to have up to 4 Family Members attend a HDNL Winter Sports Event. Family Members will enter the events as a group and also follow the CDPH required masking guidelines once they enter the gym. To maximize attendance opportunities for Family Members, the gyms will be “cleared out” between each game and then the next group of Family Members will enter the facilities.

For smooth transitions between games, your prompt departure and patience while waiting to enter is greatly appreciated. Each school will be responsible for developing their “guest list” of Family Members for both home and away games.

In support of these priorities, the Superintendents and the Humboldt - Del Norte League remind the Community to fulfill the CDPH requirement for being masked in all High School buildings and all indoor High School athletic events. Thank you in advance for your understanding, cooperation and assistance.

Respectfully Jack Lakin HDNL Commissioner