As Olathe West heads into week 6 of sports this fall season, everything is carrying on as planned with the COVID-19 protocols. The tickets are still limited per player family and only family is allowed in the game. Friends and other students are not allowed in. Indoor athletes are required to wear masks, while parents are asked to do the same as well as socially distance in the stands. 

Students have been working and practicing for fall sports since back June, with summer weights and practice sessions taking place outdoors.

“We had good success over the summer,” Athletic Director Pat Butler said. “We had about 300 students on campus everyday doing everything from cheer practice to football and volleyball. I think that really helped set the stage for being able to have fall sports.”

Easing into the year, teams started games and matches as scheduled, along with regular practices after school, getting players back in the building.

“Our main thing was, we want to do everything we can to get kids active again and get them involved, but also to keep them safe,” Butler said. “That was a real important balancing act that we need to make sure we continue that our number one priority is that kids are safe.”

COVID protocols are being taken very seriously as fall sports continue to progress, ensuring that there are limited tickets and masks worn at all times for families in the stands.

“I’ve been so impressed with our community,” Butler said. “They followed our protocols, coming to an athletic event or activity and having to wear a mask and social distance that is challenging but we’ve had one hundred percent compliance.” 

With the limited spectator numbers, the administration team has come up with ways that students are able to livestream the games as well as usual game tweet updates on social media.

“I do feel more obligated to be more active on social media,” said Butler. “We’ve tried really hard to livestream as much as we can because we know that we’re limited on how many folks can attend our events.”

With all these conditions, students are still able to keep connected with one another and get involved in what West has to offer.

“We know that for a lot of our students, activities, athletics, extracurriculars are just such a big part of their lives,” Butler said. “We wanted to do anything we could to keep those things going. We felt like it was worth the extra effort and that’s really paid off for us.”