Limited number of fans may now attend outdoor high school athletic events in Santa Ana

Santa Ana High School players interact with fans after a game in 2019. (File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

Santa Ana Unified School District officials said Thursday that a limited number of fans will now be able to attend outdoor athletic high school events including football games, revising an earlier policy that prohibited any fans or media from attending.

The policy only affects events hosted by Santa Ana Unified schools, not road contests.

“Due to improving health conditions across the region, including a significant drop in COVID-19 case
rates in our community, the district is now allowing a limited number of spectators at outdoor district
home athletic events and outdoor SAUSD athletic venues. Each athlete can invite two spectators per
competition. No other community members are permitted at any SAUSD athletic venue at this time,” said Superintendent Jerry Almendarez in a statement.

The superintendent added the decision was made due to improving coronavirus case numbers. In addition, media with proper credentials may cover outdoor sporting events if they have proper credentials. The previous policy did not allow media to attend events.

“This decision follows the latest guidance provided by CIF, and state and local health care experts as
Orange County remains on track to move into the red tier.’ Media with proper credentials may also
attend competitions at outdoor SAUSD athletic venues. Please note that spectators and media must
follow all safety measures in place at each event. Anyone not adhering to these safety measures will be
asked to leave, and may be prevented from attending other events in the future.”

The policy will affect home games for six Santa Ana Unified athletic programs, including football programs at Santa Ana, Segerstrom, Century and Santa Ana Valley. Godinez and Saddleback are not fielding football teams during the spring season which begins this week for some teams throughout the CIF.

Bands and cheerleaders will not be part of the athletic events under the policy but added that “things change daily,” said Fermin Leal, chief communications officer for SAUSD.

Santa Ana High School is the only Santa Ana team competing in football this week with Segerstrom, Century, and Santa Ana Valley squads scheduled to start next week. Segerstrom will host Laguna Beach Thursday at 7 p.m.

Santa Ana opens play on Friday night playing at Valencia. The Saints have two home games at the Santa Ana Bowl: Friday, March 19 vs. Covina and Thursday, April 15, vs. Orange.

Other games on the Santa Ana schedule are Friday, March 26 at Diamond Bar, Friday, April 2 at Estancia and Friday, April 9 at Costa Mesa.

District officials have not yet addressed the issue of indoor sports, including basketball. The California Department of Public Health officials have said indoor sports can begin with weekly coronavirus testing.

“Planning for indoor district home athletic events and venues is currently taking place as restrictions continue to ease,” Almendarez added.

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com