Charles City High School Activities Director Issues Fan Expectations
Charles City’s home football game against New Hampton Friday night (09.02)will be the most attended sporting event in Charles City since the Comets softball game against Waterloo East was interrupted by controversy in July
Some East players said they were subject to racial taunts which led to some fans being asked to leave the stands before play resumed. Both school districts vowed to cooperate in an investigation of the alleged incidents, although no other details have been released.
In advance of the rivalry football between the Comets and Chickasaws, Charles City Activities Director and Principal Brian Jurrens has issued a letter for “Fan Expectations” while attending school events and activities.
Jurrens writes, “We want to ensure that everyone has a great experience when visiting our community. Cheer loud for the Comets and respect our opponents and officials. Spectators will not be allowed to interfere with the enjoyment of the students participating, other spectators, or with the performance of employees and officials supervising the activity.”
Jurrens also requests that “young Comet fans are supervised by a parent or guardian during the event (and) when the event has started, we ask that all fans and spectators remain in the stands or bleachers in order to watch and cheer on our Comets.”
Ironically, the good sportsmanship reminders come almost one year after the Comets Mario Hoefer came to the aid of the Chickasaws Carter Steinlage during the football game between the schools on September 3, 2021, played in New Hampton. A picture of Hoefer helping Steinlage stretch out a cramped leg went viral, eventually earning both players appearances on national TV shows, plus a trip to St. Louis last November for the 2021 Musial Awards celebrating sportsmanship in America. The ceremony was recorded and aired on CBS TV on Christmas Day.
Below is the Fan Expectations letter from Jurrens:
FAN EXPECTATIONS WHILE ATTENDING EVENTS
September 1, 2022
Re: Expectations attending activities
Charles City Community,
As we enter a new school year, we want to encourage everyone in our community to attend activities and help cheer on our Comets, while also ensuring that everyone has a clear understanding of our expectations while attending events. Our governing bodies for all of our activities lay out specific guidelines for fans and spectators at events and we want to ensure that everyone has a great experience when visiting our community.
When attending any activity please cheer loud for the Comets and respect our opponents and officials. Spectators will not be allowed to interfere with the enjoyment of the students participating, other spectators, or with the performance of employees and officials supervising the activity.
We encourage our young Comet fans to attend every activity, but request that they are supervised by a parent or guardian during the event. When the event has started, we ask that all fans and spectators remain in the stands or bleachers in order to watch and cheer on our Comets. Additionally, please do not bring any footballs, basketballs, etc. to any activity.
We are looking forward to a great year for Comet Activities and appreciate the support that all of you provide throughout the year!
Sincerely,
Bryan Jurrens
High School Principal
Activities Director
