Increase of incidents involving students at Friday night football games causes KUSD to move all games to 5:30 p.m.

Thanks to a rule implemented by the Kenosha Unified School District this past spring after “a few” incidents at Friday night home football games in the city of Kenosha during the 2021 season, all games at Bradford, Tremper and Indian Trail this fall have kicked off at 5:30 p.m. instead of the normal 7 p.m.

Additional security measures are also being added to promote safety.

KUSD Chief Communications Officer Tanya Ruder confirmed Thursday afternoon a few incidents occurred last school year at Kenosha home games, prompting the earlier start times.

Furthermore, an incident that took place this season at the Aug. 26 Zion, Ill. vs. Bradford football game at Mary D. Bradford Stadium resulted in extra security at games the rest of the season.

That game started nearly an hour later than scheduled due to an issue with officials.

According to Ruder, KUSD has no knowledge of any weapons present during the incident.

Beefed up security

The increased security measures began at last Friday’s games.

The beefed-up security was evident at the Indian Trail-Tremper rivalry game at Jaskwhich Stadium Sept. 9, where multiple police officers guarded the main entrance, more security guards spread throughout the premises and a 6-foot wooden barricade adjacent to the ticket table/entrance to the bleachers didn’t allow people to casually sneak in without paying.

“The ticket and parent/guardian accompaniment changes were implemented last week and we had no issues with these new processes that I am aware of,” Ruder said. “I understand we had great attendance at both the Bradford v. Case and the ITHSA v. Tremper games last Friday night.”

Bryan Mogensen, a coordinator of athletics for KUSD, confirmed Thursday the changes.

“Over the course of the past few years, Kenosha, as well as surrounding communities, have had an increase in incidents involving students on Friday night football games,” Mogensen said. “We made the decision to go to a 5:30 start time for all games, aside from the homecoming games, months ago. We are doing this to help ensure the safest environment possible for our student-athletes, students, and their families.”

Policy changes

“It is our hope that moving the start times up on these games will help produce a safer environment, while having a minimal impact on the overall student experience. We have absolutely beefed up our security presence, as well as made some attendance policy changes:

- Students must purchase a ticket online by 8 a.m. the day of the game online. If they miss this deadline, they are able to attend the game but will have to attend with a parent and pay with cash at the gate.

- Adult spectators can also purchase tickets online up to 8 a.m. the day of the game to avoid lines at the gates for cash sales.

- Ticket sales will be halted at the end of halftime, and gates will be closed to any student that comes after that.

- Additionally, the parking lots will be closed for entry as well at halftime. One entrance will be staffed by game management personnel.

- Homecoming games will remain at 7 p.m. start times.

Ruder said there has been cause for concern over recent years. She also noted surrounding communities, such as the Racine Unified School District, have also made adjustments for safety.

“This is why we met this past spring to discuss the challenges that we have faced on Friday nights and felt that there were some proactive measures that we could put in place to help us do the best we can to promote a safe and positive environment,” Mogensen said.

No longer are students able to just show up at tonight’s game and pay to get in at 5 o’clock or so at the gate. They must be accompanied by a parent or guardian if he or she didn’t purchase tickets online by 8 a.m. Friday morning.

Tickets will still be sold through halftime.

However, as soon as the third quarter starts, students will not be allowed entry unless they pre-purchased tickets.

Once a spectator is in the stadium with his or her ticket, they may not leave and come back.

“I would like to reiterate that Friday night football games have long been a source of fun for our community as families come out to support our student-athletes,” Ruder said. “The goal of these changes is to ensure we are providing a safe environment where our community can continue to support our teams at a fun, family-friendly event on Friday nights for many years to come.”

Reassuring the public

Mogensen wants to assure the public that Friday night football games are still safe, fun places that invite families and fans to the city’s beautiful high school football facilities.

He hopes everyone can cooperate moving forward with the rules changes to ensure the “Friday Night Lights” experience can still be as exciting and enjoyable as possible.

“In general, we are pleased with the changes that we have put in place,” Mogensen said. “We have received several positive comments from school staff and from the community. The environment last week at our first cross-town game between Indian Trail and Tremper was electric, and the place was packed full of people who were there to support their schools. I strongly believe these policy changes will help ensure the people attending our games on Friday nights are there for the purpose of supporting our students and their schools, and will help keep the focus of the night where it belongs, on the field.”

People can purchase tickets to tonight’s Bradford and Tremper home games and others this season using Ticket Spicket, or events.ticketspicket.com/home and search “Kenosha Unified School District.”

Spectators are not allowed to bring bags into sporting events.

This includes backpacks, duffle bags, coolers, and string bags. Fans requiring entry with a bag for medical or other reasons must receive clearance from game management staff and are subject to search.

Racine security changes

Racine Unified has also made some similar changes, for instance doing online ticket sales.

“We had been working earlier this year to get the Ticket Spicket agreement finalized and we are now ready to go. Many districts use Ticket Spicket because it’s a simple way to handle digital ticket sales,” said Stacy Tapp, Racine Unified’s chief of communication and community engagement.

“Students, parents and fans can buy their tickets in advance, they don’t have to bring cash with them and they can simply show the QR code to the event staff to scan on entry. As a note, athletic and SEC passes will still be accepted at the gate as will military ID and ID for adults age 60+ (both receive free entry).”

Last Friday, Sept. 9, a girl was shot in Racine and suffered non-life threatening injuries outside Horlick Field near the end of a high school football game when Horlick was playing Oak Creek.

To enhance safety, Racine will also be using scanners and/or metal detectors at football games and will not allow entry 30 minutes after the start of the game.

“We ask students, families and fans for their understanding as we adjust to new procedures. Let’s work together to continue providing positive and safe spaces for our students to enjoy school activities here in Racine,” Tapp said.