Lincoln (Neb.) Public Schools instituted a policy in 2023 that bars families and fans from going onto the field and student-athletes from going into the stands after the conclusion of a game, but a petition launched on Change.org is asking LPS to reconsider those protocols.
As reported by Nebraska Public Media, LPS director of athletics and activities JJ Toczek said the idea was developed in 2022 from a collaboration with the National Center for Sports Safety. The purpose of the collaboration was to improve safety at athletics events while working alongside event management. The plan also stemmed from incidents that occurred at high school athletics events nationwide.
“The threats are maybe certain incidents that were occurring at specific high school athletic events and more importantly, at the end of those events,” Toczek said.
“That ended up being one of the initial driving forces behind why we decided we need to be leading in the area of safety and security when it comes from an athletics and activities side of things as a public institution.”
The policy has been unpopular with some parents and other fans.
The Change.org petition went online Sept. 19 and had gathered more than 450 signatures as of Sept. 30.
“We’re told that it’s safety issues, but everything they’re doing is less safe than what we were doing last year, so one clear message would be helpful,” Erica Buescher, the parent who launched the petition said, per Nebraska Public Media's Luna Acosta.
Buescher, who was prevented from joining her son on the field in August following Lincoln Northeast's first victory over Lincoln East in over a decade, said she believes the policy takes away valuable time from parents and their student-athletes, especially in her case, since her son is a senior.
Similar pushbacks have led to changes in stadium protocol in at least one other school district.
District OR-1 changed protocols at the Olson Sports Complex, allowing fans and families to take the field after games for the first time in Palmyra High School’s history.
“I believe this adjustment gives our families an opportunity to continue making memories together at Olson while allowing our staff to maintain the improved supervision and accountability we believe is important for our student-athletes,” Palmyra Principal Heath Johnson said in the statement, per Nebraska Public Media.
Wrote Acosta, "Despite the criticisms LPS has received, Toczek said the policy balances the need for safety with continuing to encourage parents and fans to come to games and support their student athletes."
“Those connections… are what make educational based athletics and activities so special and really, it’s what makes our community of Lincoln special,” Johnson said. “That being said, my job is to make sure to the best of my ability that I can work… as a collaborative just to keep everyone as safe and secure as best we can.”
Additional changes, implemented in August by some LPS schools, create zones outside stadium's where players can meet fans after games, Acosta reported.
