Allendale-Fairfax High adopts new procedures for all sports events

At 3581 Allendale-Fairfax Hwy in Fairfax, the Allendale-Fairfax High School Athletic Department is putting new procedures in place for all sporting events, changing how games are run across the Tigers’ athletic program. Families headed to the gate, the stands and the sidelines should expect a different game-day routine at every level of the schedule, not just for football.

The move follows a pattern Allendale County Schools has used before when crowd problems threatened school events. In September 2020, Allendale-Fairfax High School posted fan attendance guidelines, and in September 2022, Allendale-Fairfax Middle School asked the Tiger community to review new policy and procedures for that year’s athletic events. A later change limiting the number of people allowed at games came after multiple fights involving Allendale-Fairfax fans.

School sports in Allendale County draw students, parents, alumni and neighbors who treat Friday night and other game nights as community gatherings. The district’s emergency guidance tells parents, “Please do not rush to school to pick up your child. Additional traffic will block any needed emergency vehicles.” Each school’s emergency response plan includes steps to protect children first and reunite them with parents in a safe, orderly and timely manner.

The National Federation of State High School Associations designs crowd-control guidance to prevent disturbances through efficient crowd control and strict discipline among administrators, coaches, players and spectators. Public schools use a variety of safety and security measures and written procedures for selected scenarios.