BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced a spectator limit at sporting events will limit attendance to either 25 or 50 individuals, depending on the region’s current mitigation status.
Players, coaches, referees and other game personnel do not count toward the spectator limit, but media members do, according to IHSA Assistant Executive Director Matt Troha.
Spectators must remain at least 30-feet away from the playing surface, but it is unclear whether this policy applies to photographers and other media, said Troha.
Troha said IHSA has asked the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to consider providing an attendance exemption for media members. IHSA has also asked the IDPH for clarification on whether the 30-feet ruling applied to photographers and other media, but there were no updates as of Sunday.
The IHSA also announced it will not distribute annual media passes this year. Media members who show up to games without prior authorization are not guaranteed entry into an event. In order to avoid issues, Troha urges media members to communicate with school athletic directors or media liaisons.
Troja also said although 25 to 50 attendees are allowed, the decision to allow spectators is up to individual schools.
