December 1, 2021
Dear BKW Sports Fans,
I hope this letter finds you well. As you know, the pandemic has severely impacted high school athletics. The purpose of this communication is to outline the regulations that COVID has impacted for high-risk indoor sports of basketball, wrestling and cheerleading. I realize that some of the regulations are challenging, but the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) felt they are necessary to complete a safe winter season. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns. Below are the major areas of change this season.
1. COVID Testing of Unvaccinated Athletes for Basketball, Wrestling and Cheer
The WAC requires each member school to test 20% of unvaccinated, high-risk athletes on a weekly basis for COVID. This will impact about 10 unvaccinated athletes per week and work on a rotating basis. Testing is a simple nasal swab conducted free of charge discreetly at school by our health staff. This is a requirement for participation in high-risk sports for the unvaccinated this season.
2. Fans For Home Games and WAC Away Contests
In order to balance the safety of our fans and athletes with the ability to watch in person, BKW has restricted home attendance to 4 passes per BKW athlete and 2 per visiting athlete. For WAC away games, each athlete will receive two. These laminated passes are [being provided to athletes] and must be presented for entry into a WAC event. Home passes are white, and away passes are green. Non-League contests at other schools may allow unlimited fans. Please check with the athletic office prior to the game. Tickets are specifically marked for each event and will only be good as marked. For example, a ticket marked BKW VB will only be good for a varsity boys basketball game. Schools (including BKW) may clear the gym between JV and Varsity games in order to help crowd control. Specifically, JV parents and players may be required to leave the gyms before varsity fans are let in.
3. Additional Options
As you know, the COVID landscape changes daily and none of our protocols are final. We may be able to loosen restrictions or have to tighten them up based on infection rates. We are currently looking at ways to expand home attendance based on the gym capacity. More information will follow. Additionally, all home contests will be streamed for a small monthly fee at nfhsnetwork.com/schools/berne-knox-senior-high-school-berne-ny
Many WAC schools also use the same system, and away games at those schools would also be covered under the subscription.
Thanks for all your support during these difficult times.
Sincerely,
Thomas Galvin
Athletic Director